Turneffe Atoll Diving Packages

How to Get There

All of our diving resorts at Turneffe Atoll supply free boat transfers from Belize City. It's a scenic 1 hour 30 minute journey, taking you through one of the cuts in the barrier reef and close to some of the cayes before meandering your way along the mangrove-lined creeks to your resort. There is also an airstrip located on Blackbird Caye which allows for the option of a short flight from Belize City for guests staying there.
Sometimes unexpected events can cause travelers to change their plans and cancel their dive trip. For this reason we recommend you consider scuba, travel and trip cancellation insurance. See our insurance program for a competitive quotation:

Sightseeing and Things to Do in Turneffe

Along with the superb diving packages at Turneffe Island, the flats fishing is well known amongst the angling community and the fly fisherman's "Grand Slam" of permit, tarpon and bonefish is regularly achieved here. The catch and release policy still allows you the opportunity of observing them later on the reef, though we doubt they'll be quite as happy to see you.
Kayaking through the creeks and lagoons in the interior of the atoll is a great way to spend the afternoon and you may be fortunate to come across one of the American crocodiles that inhabit this area. But don't try touching them or you may find your gloves don't fit quite so well afterwards.
Bird watchers will have a long list to tick to tick off. Over 60 species have been recorded at Turneffe including ospreys, many species of heron, and the wonderfully named great breasted mango.
If you're not lucky enough to see them on your dives, then take a tour around the atoll looking for bottlenose and spotted dolphins, and the West Indian manatee. These huge, passive creatures, a close relative to the elephant, lumber around the lagoons and creeks searching for fresh sea grass to supply their massive appetite. Occasionally they visit the open water and then you might be lucky to see them whilst snorkeling.
Archeological studies indicate that the Mayans inhabited Turneffe Island by 400 BE, establishing fishing villages here and trading with the mainland. In 1625 Spain charted the atoll and through the 17th century pirates, including Blackbeard, used it as a hideaway to ambush the Spanish ships and steal their gold and other treasures.
During the late 19th and early 20th century, the atoll was used as a reliable source for the collection of sponges and later became dominated by coconut plantations. This only ended with the devastation wreaked by Hurricane Hattie in 1961. Commercial lobster catching also used to take place on Turneffe since the 1930s, the atoll being one of the primary producers of spiny lobster in Belize. However, in recent years lobster populations have collapsed due to overfishing. A similar story has marked the decline of conch populations too, once a staple food for Belizeans.
The good news though is that the whole atoll was declared the Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve in November 2012. Now the marine life has been afforded some protection as the reserve is divided into no-take, restricted use and fishing zones. There is an oceanic research station outpost on Blackbird Caye.
Warning: the mangroves are a natural breeding ground for mosquitoes and doctor flies; sand flies are prevalent on some of the beaches. Bring plenty of bug lotion/cream in order to avoid being bitten. They are less of an annoyance when the climate is cooler and dryer from November through May.

Restaurants and Entertainment

You are not going to find clubs or casinos on Turneffe, so you pretty much have to make your own entertainment. All the dive resorts have their own bars and high quality restaurants to center your evening around and maybe meet some like minded new friends.

Shopping

There are no shops on the atoll and the most that you could hope to buy is a souvenir t-shirt or such like. If you'd like to pay with cash, make sure you bring enough with you as there are no ATMs or banks on Turneffe either. Most of the resorts will accept payment by credit card but check with us first to make sure.

Local Transport Options

There are no transportation options available here other than the speedboats and passenger boats provided by the resorts themselves.