In the summer of 2016 Chiara and I met with the team at The Fly Shop armed with rough sketches, building plans, and an undercurrent of youthful vigor all geared towards building an operation deep in the Yucatan Peninsula. Days of meetings, brainstorming, and strategizing gave way to Espiritu Santo Bay Lodge (ESB) being born. Giddiness, enthusiasm, and perhaps being a little naive was our fuel. The complexity and difficulty of the project was more than daunting and not for the faint of heart. Despite numerous obstacles we were committed to see this through and creating a top tier fishing venue.
The success of ESB has exceeded our wildest dreams and steamrolled into one of the most sought-out saltwater fishing destinations in the world. This could not have happened without the help and unwavering support of our guests, friends, family, and partners. Without this we would never have made it to where we are today. We thank you for years of commitment, continued friendships, and the desire to share and protect such a wonderful place.
After 9 successful years of operating ESB, we felt it was time to take on a partner. For a myriad of different reasons, we have partnered with Nervous Waters. This collaboration will advance operations to a much higher standard and set the bar for seasons to come. Believe us, this was not an easy decision, ESB is our child, but we felt it was the right time, right decision and right partnership. Chiara and I will now have the freedom to explore new fisheries and develop other operations, like that at El Saltamontes 2.0 in Chile, Patagonia. Stay tuned, more are in the works…
Our new partners, Nervous Waters, are recognized leaders in the fly-fishing industry. They own, manage, and operate 12 world-class lodges across Argentina, Chile, the Bahamas, and México—spanning both freshwater and saltwater destinations. In addition, they operate 13 premier bird hunting and 5 stag lodges in Argentina and Chile.
For 40 years, Nervous Waters has redefined hospitality standards in the sporting lodge space, with an unwavering attention to detail and a commitment to service that is second to none. Every aspect of the Nervous Waters Experience is designed to deliver excellence and exceed guest expectations, all while preserving the authentic spirit of each destination and maintaining a strong focus on sport.
That is exactly what they bring to ESB. We couldn’t be more excited about this new chapter. With their infusion of capital, dedicated staff, seasoned management, and deep expertise, ESB is poised to reach its full potential and set the stage for many successful years to come.
Our loyal partners, The Fly Shop® will continue to manage the calendar and handle all reservations. We couldn’t be happier with what they have brought to the table and their unwavering support.
Over the summer break we have been hard at work, completely reimagining, refurbishing, remodeling, and improving ESB with sustainability and environmental protection front and center.
– We have Installed a solar system to provide 24/7 reliable energy
– We added new eco-friendly generators (energy redundancy in the jungle is key!)
– A new reverse osmosis system is being installed for purified water and in-house ice
– We have fully remodeled and redecorated the guest rooms
– Small refrigerators have been added to the guest rooms to store your favorite beverages
– A full renovation of the dining room and lounge is completed
– New efficient A/C units have been installed in all rooms and the dining/lounge area
– Upgrades have been made to the pro-shop
– The palapa is being redesigned with a new bar and new seating area
– ESB now features a full open bar
– Breakfast, lunch, and dinners will be à la carte
– Vehicles are being upgraded and/or replaced
– We are refurbishing the skiffs with new outboards and leaning bars on the bow
These are just a few of improvements that have been made over our summer break and more are planned for the future.
To all our friends and guests, a huge THANK YOU! Without your support, we could never have done it. The soul of ESB Lodge is intact – a beachfront jungle saltwater fishing lodge with a 100% emphasis on the fishing. We hope the improvements we have made will make your ESB Experience that much more enjoyable.
Chiara and I will be spending a lot of time at the lodge, and we look forward to this new chapter. We always welcome you with open arms and invite you to share this very special place. When we’re not at ESB we are operating our sister lodge EL Saltamontes in Patagonia, Chile and encourage anyone that likes wild places, pristine environments to pay us a visit.
Stay tuned for updated info about ESB and we thank everyone wholeheartedly who has stayed by our side.
Appreciatively and humbly,
Chiara de Tomaso & Dane Emerson
