Blackbird Caye Resort situated on Turneffe Atoll, Belize delivers the ideal island paradise experience with best in the Caribbean scuba diving. The resort is close to famous dive sites like the Blue Hole and Elbow; all the dive sites in this area exhibit unspoiled coral reefs with abundant marine life large and small. The resort provides all inclusive service less reasonably priced alcohol and soft drinks. Accomodations are private and semi-private cottages all located directly on a white sand beach. The dive operation is top notch but advanced divers should note that shore diving and nitrox services are not available. Transfers from Belize City are via light aircraft (30 minutes) or boat (70 minutes) and are enjoyable - we used both modes. We opted in the second week for a mixed Blackbird Caye/mainland jungle lodge package which allowed for cave tubing, zip line, visit to the Tikal, Guatamala Mayan ruins and jungle lodge activities and highly recommend it for those wanting to see some of the Belize countryside. All in all, a fantastic vacation experience.

We were looking for a great fishing and snorkle vacation. This is a wonderful spot out of Belize City. Beautiful and remote. There is no nightlife, no open markets, no traffic (unless you count the golf cart the resort uses to transport your luggage), & no crime.

The food was awesome, the the kitchen was great about cooking what we caught and packing yummy lunches for those days we didn't want to take a break from fishing. We planned on a getting in a bunch of hammock time, but always seemed to be fishing or eating.

There doesn't seem to be many guests coming to Blackbird to fish. It is mostly diving and snorkeling, so the guide is a guest guide. In our case it was Bert.. Bert is a local and a fish guru. He was very knowledgeable, which is a good thing because the boat and equipment would be my only complaint of this resort.

We fished off a dive panga so the poles were VERY difficult and dangerous to get out of the holders. The back of the boat was set up for divers, and there was no safety equipment but for life vests, which I checked for before we left port the first day. No radio, no electronics, or flares, etc.

The cabanas were very cute and very comfortable. The resort is charming and clean. The staff is friendly and accomodating. We caught many fish and ate the grouper, wahoo and conch we collected. Oh, So yummy. We ate better on this vaction than any other.

For a fishing trip I would advise that you ask many questions about gear that you may want to bring, and be very clear about the boat and equipment you'll be using.

For the price, this is a fabulous vacation. Lodging, awesome food, and a boat and guide for 6 days, can't beat it.

We did stay 2 nights at The Great House in Belize City. Probably the only place I would recomend in town. They have a great restauant as well, the Smokey Mermaid. Don't stay in Belize City, get out to the Islands.

My wife and I stayed here for 3 nights in early April, as she's not that into diving. The cabana we had was, well, huge (other guests expressed their surprise at the size of the cabanas too). Two queen (maybe double) beds, lots of windows, etc. Lots of fresh water since they run a desalinater, and I think 24hr power. Near the boats was a rinsing station and rods on which to hang wetsuits and gear. Meals were in a large building that included a place to get soft drinks, beer, wine and drinks, all on the honor system. Happy hour snacks and drinks were provided in another building at the water's edge.

Most diving was a 10-30 min boat ride to the outside of the (Turneffe) atoll. The best dive was to the "Elbow" which is the southern tip of the atoll (1 hr trip each way). Large schools of fish, turtles, moray eels out and about, etc. This is a rich site because it is at the intersection of currents, but the currents were fine for some easy drift diving. In general, diving featured lots of sponges, nice selection of fish (with a few reef&nurse sharks) and in general a very healthy reef.

Kayaks are also available for cruising inside the reef, a great early start to a day of diving.

We had about 9 couples in the resort, probably about 1/3 their capacity. Their boat provides for free transfers to/from Belize City only 2 days of the week (Wed and Sat?). They also have an airstrip for charter flights. Staff were just great - helpful, knowledgeable and very friendly. They mentioned they run another resort on Glover's Caye, far south (undergoing remodeling), which will probably be our next trip to Belize - more whale shark diving in Placencia and reef diving at Glover's (if I can talk my wife into it).

We stayed at the research station down the beach 2 years ago and we would see the boats coming and going all day. One night we went down the beach to their palapa for drinks. WOW! We fell in love with Kenny and Miss Kitty and the feel of the resort that night. They were friendly and attentive and we were not even guests. We vowed next time, we would stay there. And we were not disappointed! The diving was relaxed, although we did complete 17 dives in 6 days. Because the dive sites are 10 minutes from the island, there is a relaxed, but scheduled day posted each morning on the white board. Joe, our divemaster, was very aware of everyone's position, diving ability, and bottom time. He ALWAYS did a safety stop and made each of his divers do it, too. He suggested to ascend at an angle so that we didn't lose any of the u/w view. Junior, our boat captain, was right there to pick us up upon surfacing, we never had to look for him. The day trip to the Bluehole and Lighthouse reef and Booby preserve was outstanding! We had cheeseburgers (and barbecued chicken) in paradise during our surface interval. The diving was terrific!! Wish we could go back every year! The resort experience was just "as advertised", we are fully satisfied with the food, which was delicious and plentiful, the cabanas were spacious, clean, and air conditioned, and the 5:00 volleyball game is a great way to interact with the other guests not on your dive boat and the other nondiving resort staff. They really know how to play ball! There was 3 dive boats and a snorkle boat, and we seemed to be divided by skill level. All the boats were clean and well maintained. We always got a pre-dive briefing and an animal alert for the dive. In conclusion, I only have one recommendation for the whole dive operation. Maybe add a few 100 c.i. tanks for those of us who suck our tanks down too quickly to spend the whole dive with our more air-conserving family members!! Day rentals for u/w video or still photos would be a great asset, too.