Belize Dive Resorts
Blackbird Caye Resort
Blackbird Caye Resort is one of Belize’s premier dive resorts located on a beautiful private two-mile long white sand beach on Turneffe Atoll. There are 18 individual beachfront cabanas, perfect for divers, kayakers, snorkelers and for anyone who likes the relaxed island atmosphere in peaceful surroundings. All the cabanas have air-conditioning, private bathrooms and porches, hammocks and WiFi connection. Five Standard Cabanas have two queen or double beds and the larger five Superior Cabanas also offer a separate sitting room area, a small refrigerator and either a king bed or two queen beds. The newly constructed four Deluxe Cabanas are the largest with a separate living room, a king-size bed and a small refrigerator. For families, the Triplex offers three private rooms, each with two beds and features a huge shared front porch, and the Duplex two private bedrooms with two beds each and a large shared porch.
Blackbird’s large dining palapa serves buffet breakfast and lunch, and a-la-carte island dinners. The menu consists of local fresh produce, seafood and meat, and homemade desserts complete the experience. The main deck is the hub of the resort – here you find the dive and snorkel shop, and below the dock, marine life such as tarpon, bonefish, stingrays and nurse sharks. There are more than 70 spectacular dive and snorkel sites, all within 15 minutes from the resort. Guided kayaking and snorkeling, beachcombing, nature walks – there are more than 25 species of birds on the island – and weekly marine biologist presentations round up your dive vacation.
Turneffe Island Resort
The charming Turneffe Island Resort is located on a private island in the southern tip of Turneffe Atoll, right by some of the best diving Belize has to offer. The distance from the mainland keeps underwater visibility high and the healthy mangroves are the perfect nurseries for new generation of sealife. Come here to dive, snorkel, kayak, and for the unhurried island life devoid of crowds and noise. Most of the dive sites are just minutes from the resort and commonly sighted species inlude eagle rays, dolphins, turtles, reef sharks, morays, and a myriad of schooling reef fish. Snorkeling is also great and daily snorkeling trips are arranged. The island is surrounded by blindingly white sandy beaches leading to the ocean and to the reefs.
Turneffe Island Resort has eight Private Cabanas with wrap-around porches with breathtaking views, and either a king-size bed or one queen-size with a full-size bed. Four Superior Rooms have either a king-size bed or two twin beds, and a screened private balcony. Eigth Deluxe Rooms have a king-size bed, a queen-size bed or two twin beds and a private screened porches. All rooms have small refrigerators and private bathrooms and are equipped with ceiling fans and air-conditioning. The resort has a fresh-water swimming pool, and pick-up games of volleyball happen when the hammocks have gotten enough use. You can also go fishing, and join an afternoon mangrove tour in search of crocodiles and manatees. Turneffe offers Nitrox and there’s no diving on Saturdays. Transfers to the island are arranged on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
St. George's Caye Resort
So close to Belize City and yet so secluded, St. George’s Caye Resort is the perfect solution to be away from it all but not spend a full day getting there. This small exclusive resort has only twelve beautifully appointed cabanas in a lovely beachfront location, with a superb access to diving and the best service. There are four oceanfront cabanas, each with a shaded veranda with panoramic views. The six over-the-sea cabanas are arranged around a circular dock and have private porches with excellent underwater life viewing. The two very private garden cabanas are set among the lush gardens. All cabanas are air-conditioned and have a king-size bed or two twin beds, ceiling fan, fully stocked mini bar, hair dryer, bathroom with toiletries, room safe, bathrobes and hammocks from which to enjoy a quiet moment with the sea breeze.
The main lodge has a wireless internet access if you insist staying in touch with the real world. There’s a pool and a spa with pampering treatments. Mainland visit take you to Mayan ruins, cave tubing and jungle tours. Mornings at St. George’s Cay Resort start with coffee or tea and fresh-squeezed juice delivered to your own veranda. After breakfast, it’s all up to you – complimentary activities provided are kayaks, Hobie Cats, windsurfers, and snorkeling equipment. Your nightly rate also includes a tasty island lunch, unlimited rum punch, and dinner of Caribbean favourites with international flair either in the dining room or as a moonlit dinner for two by the water’s edge. The resort’s dive shop is well-known for its excellent service and professionalism – and diving at the Great Barrier Reef is fantastic. St. George’s Caye Resort is a dive resort for adults and thus only allows children over eleven who have been certified to dive.
Turneffe Flats
Located on Belize’s largest atoll, Turneffe Flats is a low-key scuba diving and fishing resort in a lovely setting. A 1 ½-hour boat transfer from Belize City takes you to this oasis of white sand beaches where you can scuba dive, fly fish, snorkel, and enjoy all that Belize has to offer. There are eight spacious air-conditioned beach cabanas with panoramic views over the reef. Each cabana has two queen-size beds and a private bathroom. The Reef Villa has three bedrooms, each with its own bathroom. One bedroom in the villa has two queen-size beds and the other two a queen-size and a single bed each. There’s a living room with a satellite television, a kitchenette and the best views on the island. The Garden Villa is similarly equipped but set slightly back with views both of the extensive gardens and the ocean.
The social center of the resort is the lodge where delicious meals are served family style, and where you can linger with a cold Beliken and swap dive stories. Pristine reefs and abundant marine life makes Turneffe an ideal diving destination. Three dives per day with the weekly night dive are standard, and you can visit the famous Blue Hole, Half Moon Wall and Long Caye. Small groups, dedicated professional dive staff and a range of PADI courses guarantee a great experience. Turneffe Flats are also known as the premier saltwater fly fishing destination in the Caribbean. You can also experience incredible snorkeling and great birding – and relaxed island life in its best.