Blackbird Caye Resort
3 Eyre Street, Turneffe Atoll 33187 Belize
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About
4.5
#3 of 4 hotels in Turneffe AtollLocation
4.9
Rooms
4.5
Value
4.5
Cleanliness
4.7
Service
4.8
Sleep Quality
4.6
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Blackbird Caye is a privately owned Island sitting on The Mesoamerican Reef System - often referred to as the "Jewel of the Caribbean" - it is the largest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere with a rich tapestry of vivid corals, mangrove forests, coastal wetlands, and diverse marine wildlife. Within the reef you will find Turneffe Atoll the Caye where the resort is located. Turneffe is the largest and most biologically diverse of the 3 atolls found in the Caribbean home to more than 65 species of stony coral, 350 species of mollusk, and more than 500 species of fish, manatees, dolphins and invertebrates. There are over 70 dives sites all within 10-15 minutes from the resort and 45 minutes to Lighthouse Reef where The Great Blue Hole is located. The resort is made of 17 modern cabanas facing the Caribbean Sea. The cabanas are all equipped with A/C, fans, private bathrooms, either King or Queen Beds with new comfortable bedding, private porches with chairs and swinging hammocks. Included in the price are your cabana, 3 daily meals, dive or snorkel package, complimentary transfers to the island on Saturdays and use of the resort's kayaks. We are the only resort on Turneffe with an air strip making it convenient to arrive or depart any other day of the week. Our courteous and helpful staff will always make you feel at home as customer service
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Property amenities
Free internet
Pool
Free breakfast
Beach
Diving
Free airport transportation
Neck massage
Baggage storage
Public wifi
Pool / beach towels
Pool with view
Outdoor pool
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Breakfast buffet
Complimentary Instant Coffee
Complimentary tea
Complimentary welcome drink
Happy hour
Outdoor dining area
Snack bar
Special diet menus
Swimup bar
Poolside bar
Snorkeling
Darts
Board games / puzzles
Gift shop
Sun loungers / beach chairs
Sun terrace
Sun umbrellas
Room features
Blackout curtains
Air conditioning
Private beach
Desk
Housekeeping
Private balcony
Walk-in shower
Complimentary toiletries
Safe
Seating area
Sofa
Wardrobe / closet
Bottled water
Clothes rack
Private bathrooms
Room types
Ocean view
Suites
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Mid-range
Bay View
Languages Spoken
English, French, Spanish
Location
Getting there
Philip S.W. Goldson Intl Airport
37 mi•
See all flights
Belize City Municipal Airport
29.6 mi•
See all flights
Rental Cars
Reviews
4.5
830 reviews
Reviews summary
This summary was created by AI, based on recent reviews.
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At Blackbird Caye Resort, guests have called out the resort's variety of activities, comfortable lodging, and top-notch dining as highlights, contributing to a low-key island vibe that many find appealing. While the rooms are generally viewed as comfortable and well-maintained, with fully refurbished options available, some travelers suggest that the value for the cost can be inconsistent, with a few noting a disparity between high prices and perceived quality.
The resort's cleanliness and the professionalism of the attentive staff, especially regarding diving and dining services, consistently earn rave reviews.
Atmosphere
Inviting
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Meticulous
Service
Attentive
Amenities
Top-notch
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Detailed Reviews
+1
Hotel's Favorite
We booked Blackbird at the absolute last minute having found out our Liveaboard had grounded, whilst we were at the airport. We were a group of 3 experienced divers.
First off, Dawn was brilliant. Very responsive, and organised everything within just a few hours. She was travelling herself at the time but made the effort to help us. Thanks to Dawn our arrival and transfer were very smooth.
The resort is very well organised thanks to Serena and Shadi. They do a fantastic job of managing everything, and genuinely care that every guest has the best experience.
The food is OK. Lunch in particular was a highlight, especially taco day! On occasion we asked the chef Elvis if we could change the dinner choice and he went out of his way to accommodate us.
Jose and George look after the two bars and are lovely people who I really enjoyed getting to know. I really hope George is OK and gets better soon. In his absence Jose worked even harder and deserves a lot of credit. Cheers guys.
Our Captain on Queen Angel was Gio, who is cool and professional, and makes a mean ceviche. Clearly very experienced and got it right every time.
So the main event: Diving. We did 19 dives in 6 days. It’s a unique experience: most of the dive sites are within 4 minutes of the resort. And they are all incredible. Sharks, Eagle Rays, Turtles, Octopus, Lobster, Stingrays… the list goes on.
The Blue Hole day is magical. The Blue Hole dive itself is something I’ve never seen before. Completely unique and awesome. The 2nd dive at Half Moon Caye was perhaps the best of the entire trip. With lunch on a beautiful island plus a brilliant 3rd dive on the way back, it was a really special day.
I absolutely loved our Dive Masters: Abelito (aka: Hulk) and (King) James. They were professional and safe, which is the most important thing to me. They were also good fun, and understood our wider group in terms of who could be trusted and who needed help. Massive kudos to both of them for what they do, and the enjoyment they bring.
Our experience was that the diving was really easy. Little current, great visibility, good group. Combined with all the effort that Hulk and James put in, it was wonderful. This genuinely seems like a fantastic choice for both experienced and novice divers alike.
I’ve name checked a few people, but every single other member of staff on the island was also a delight. The chefs, the waiting staff, the people that clean the rooms, the guys that look after the island and the security guard. They are all brilliant and faultless.
When I return (which I fully intend to do!), I’ll bring as many insect repellent devices as I can. The mosquitoes are a pain, the sand flies are awful. But with better preparation, it would have been fine.
We met the owner Garren briefly too, and he was very friendly. I hope he knows what a brilliant team he has on the island. They are truly wonderful - every one of them.
TripAdvisor is full of idiots so I hope this context helps: I’m a pretty experienced diver (150 dives) and most of the time I stay in 5* resorts. If you want super-luxury then this isn’t the place for you. If you want lovely accommodation, decent food, fantastic people, and awesome diving, then it definitely is the place for you.
Thank you to everyone at Blackbird, until next time…
First off, Dawn was brilliant. Very responsive, and organised everything within just a few hours. She was travelling herself at the time but made the effort to help us. Thanks to Dawn our arrival and transfer were very smooth.
The resort is very well organised thanks to Serena and Shadi. They do a fantastic job of managing everything, and genuinely care that every guest has the best experience.
The food is OK. Lunch in particular was a highlight, especially taco day! On occasion we asked the chef Elvis if we could change the dinner choice and he went out of his way to accommodate us.
Jose and George look after the two bars and are lovely people who I really enjoyed getting to know. I really hope George is OK and gets better soon. In his absence Jose worked even harder and deserves a lot of credit. Cheers guys.
Our Captain on Queen Angel was Gio, who is cool and professional, and makes a mean ceviche. Clearly very experienced and got it right every time.
So the main event: Diving. We did 19 dives in 6 days. It’s a unique experience: most of the dive sites are within 4 minutes of the resort. And they are all incredible. Sharks, Eagle Rays, Turtles, Octopus, Lobster, Stingrays… the list goes on.
The Blue Hole day is magical. The Blue Hole dive itself is something I’ve never seen before. Completely unique and awesome. The 2nd dive at Half Moon Caye was perhaps the best of the entire trip. With lunch on a beautiful island plus a brilliant 3rd dive on the way back, it was a really special day.
I absolutely loved our Dive Masters: Abelito (aka: Hulk) and (King) James. They were professional and safe, which is the most important thing to me. They were also good fun, and understood our wider group in terms of who could be trusted and who needed help. Massive kudos to both of them for what they do, and the enjoyment they bring.
Our experience was that the diving was really easy. Little current, great visibility, good group. Combined with all the effort that Hulk and James put in, it was wonderful. This genuinely seems like a fantastic choice for both experienced and novice divers alike.
I’ve name checked a few people, but every single other member of staff on the island was also a delight. The chefs, the waiting staff, the people that clean the rooms, the guys that look after the island and the security guard. They are all brilliant and faultless.
When I return (which I fully intend to do!), I’ll bring as many insect repellent devices as I can. The mosquitoes are a pain, the sand flies are awful. But with better preparation, it would have been fine.
We met the owner Garren briefly too, and he was very friendly. I hope he knows what a brilliant team he has on the island. They are truly wonderful - every one of them.
TripAdvisor is full of idiots so I hope this context helps: I’m a pretty experienced diver (150 dives) and most of the time I stay in 5* resorts. If you want super-luxury then this isn’t the place for you. If you want lovely accommodation, decent food, fantastic people, and awesome diving, then it definitely is the place for you.
Thank you to everyone at Blackbird, until next time…
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Date of stay: November 2023Trip type: Traveled with friends
Room Tip: When I come back I’ll come armed with as many but repellent sprays and devices as possible
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Blackbird Resort, Owner at Blackbird Caye Resort
Responded Dec 19, 2023
Dear London Mike, Thank you for your glowing review of Blackbird Caye Resort. We're thrilled that we could turn your last-minute change of plans into a diving adventure to remember! Dawn's dedication to ensuring a smooth transition for you and your group is a shining example of our commitment to guest service, no matter the circumstances. Serena and Shadi, along with the rest of our team, genuinely strive to create the best possible experience for every guest, and it's wonderful to hear you felt well taken care of. Our culinary team, led by Chef Elvis, takes great pride in their flexibility and creativity, so we're glad you enjoyed the meals, especially our celebrated taco day! Jose and George's dedication at the bars is something we're incredibly proud of, and we appreciate your kind words and concern for George. Your acknowledgment of their hard work and friendly nature means a lot to us. Gio, your Captain on Queen Angel, exemplifies the cool professionalism we value, and we're happy his ceviche-making skills added an extra flavor to your experience. As for the diving, hearing that you completed 19 dives in 6 days and found each one incredible is the highest praise for us. Abelito and James take their roles seriously, ensuring safety and fun for divers of all experience levels. We're delighted they made your underwater explorations memorable. We agree that the Blue Hole and Half Moon Caye offer truly magical experiences, and we're glad you could enjoy these unique diving spots. Your feedback on the mosquitoes and sand flies is noted, and we're continually seeking ways to enhance guest comfort in this regard. Your advice on preparation will surely be helpful to future guests. It was a pleasure personally meeting you, and having you try "the mother-in-law" drink. :) and recognizing the collective effort of our entire team, from the chefs to the security guard, is much appreciated. We believe that every team member plays a vital role in creating a wonderful guest experience. Thank you for recommending us to fellow experienced divers and resort-goers. We're looking forward to welcoming you back to Blackbird Caye for more diving adventures and to share new experiences with you. Finally, I'm happy to have been to had the opportunity to show you what diving with us is really about, all the excitement of a liveaboard without the challenges they face and tight quarters. Until next time, may your dives be as fulfilling and your travels as exciting! Warm regards,
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Our second visit to Blackbird Caye. So much has improved! The resort is remote and built for diving and snorkeling. Melissa and Markus are the cordial and efficient managers. Ed, Aldo, Jakob and Capt Biggie are the marvelous dive crew. They are helpful if you need anything, but will leave you alone if you want to explore on your own. If you want to hunt lionfish, they have spears and an encouraging attitude. One of the crew always seems to be around the dock day or night if you have questions or just want to shoot the breeze. Meals were interesting and flavorful with a most pleasant staff. The shore guys kept the beach weeds to a reasonable minimum as they were out at 6 am and worked at it on and off all day. The housekeeping staff visit twice a day. In the morning to make the beds and tidy up and then during the dinner hour to close the curtains and turn down your bed. The new Cabanas are very comfortable and I recommend you try them, they are worth it!
If you want to dive the Blue Hole you MUST have your advanced certification. Nitrox is 32%. Get George in the bar to show you some card tricks. There are fish and coral books available in the bar and office for use to settle arguments over a beer.
We went as a family ages 65,63,30 and 27. 3 divers and 1 snorkeler. All enjoyed the experiences and antics of the crew and guests. For those folks who have been to Blackbird in the past, let's get some new folks to visit! I unqualifiedly recommend the resort as a diving and snorkeling haven for young and old.
If you want to dive the Blue Hole you MUST have your advanced certification. Nitrox is 32%. Get George in the bar to show you some card tricks. There are fish and coral books available in the bar and office for use to settle arguments over a beer.
We went as a family ages 65,63,30 and 27. 3 divers and 1 snorkeler. All enjoyed the experiences and antics of the crew and guests. For those folks who have been to Blackbird in the past, let's get some new folks to visit! I unqualifiedly recommend the resort as a diving and snorkeling haven for young and old.
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Date of stay: February 2020
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Resort Manager, General Manager at Blackbird Caye Resort
Responded Sep 20, 2020
Thank you for choosing Blackbird Resort. It is fantastic to hear that you truly enjoyed your stay with us. We strive to provide great service and a great experience for everyone and we are happy to hear we succeeded! Chris is a Blackbird Legend !! :) Thank you for such a wonderful review. Come on back and visit us again! Our warmest regards from Management.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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Had a wonderful time at Blackbird Caye! If you are looking for an all inclusive place for scuba diving, this is the place to go. (If you are looking for a place with lots of activities besides Scuba... well, this is not the place for you). Once you get to the island, remove your shoes, unplug from the electronic world, apply bug spray and enjoy your stay. This is not a place to be in a hurry.
All of the dives were awesome! The dive crew was excellent! Ed the Head Divemaster runs a great team and makes sure everyone is safe. Divermasters Immanuel & Rodney were the ones I had diving experiences with and I was not disappointed. The boat captains, Leo and Elroy were awesome! They know their stuff and were so very nice and helpful.
I did not snorkel but I know the Snorkeling master Carols is excellent and can show you cool stuff on the reef.
If you want to learn to dive, I hear the Instructor/Manager Francisco is the guy! You will be safely diving in no time.
The rooms were always clean, the staff always made sure you had clean towels for cleaning up and chocolates on the bed before turning in. I will tell you now the water pressure is tricky. IF everyone takes a shower at the same time it will not be good. Try to spread out when you take your showers so you do not have a bad experience. They are limited with water on the island so respect the water and be courteous of others.
Let's talk about the food... YUMMY! Chef Shannon, his sous chef Kendra, Ian and staff prepare VERY tasty food. Oh and the pastry chef, Karla, was amazing! Sarika and Edwin were always ready to make sure your had what you needed. Kurt made sure your dietary needs were met. Make sure you tell them your likes and dislikes and they will accommodate.
Then there is Jeorge! Jeorge is the best! Super bartender with many beginner luck tricks up his sleeve. He was not only in the bar but he helped the kitchen staff and anywhere else he was needed.
Tips: Bring a water bottle to refill, bug spray, a book to read, and cash for tipping the Divemasters, staff, captains, and shuttle drivers.
If it rains, no big deal, your gonna get wet diving anyway! (of course no diving with thunder and lightening.. duh)
Overall a wonderful vacation spot for diving! I will be back!
All of the dives were awesome! The dive crew was excellent! Ed the Head Divemaster runs a great team and makes sure everyone is safe. Divermasters Immanuel & Rodney were the ones I had diving experiences with and I was not disappointed. The boat captains, Leo and Elroy were awesome! They know their stuff and were so very nice and helpful.
I did not snorkel but I know the Snorkeling master Carols is excellent and can show you cool stuff on the reef.
If you want to learn to dive, I hear the Instructor/Manager Francisco is the guy! You will be safely diving in no time.
The rooms were always clean, the staff always made sure you had clean towels for cleaning up and chocolates on the bed before turning in. I will tell you now the water pressure is tricky. IF everyone takes a shower at the same time it will not be good. Try to spread out when you take your showers so you do not have a bad experience. They are limited with water on the island so respect the water and be courteous of others.
Let's talk about the food... YUMMY! Chef Shannon, his sous chef Kendra, Ian and staff prepare VERY tasty food. Oh and the pastry chef, Karla, was amazing! Sarika and Edwin were always ready to make sure your had what you needed. Kurt made sure your dietary needs were met. Make sure you tell them your likes and dislikes and they will accommodate.
Then there is Jeorge! Jeorge is the best! Super bartender with many beginner luck tricks up his sleeve. He was not only in the bar but he helped the kitchen staff and anywhere else he was needed.
Tips: Bring a water bottle to refill, bug spray, a book to read, and cash for tipping the Divemasters, staff, captains, and shuttle drivers.
If it rains, no big deal, your gonna get wet diving anyway! (of course no diving with thunder and lightening.. duh)
Overall a wonderful vacation spot for diving! I will be back!
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Date of stay: November 2021
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Resort Manager, General Manager at Blackbird Caye Resort
Responded Dec 6, 2021
Wow! Thank you for taking time to write such a detailed review our our resort. We are so glad that you had a wonderful experience and hope to make bubbles with you again!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The staff were exceptionally nice and fun to be around, some of the nicest we have met. The property has added newer more expensive cabins and it is clear that they take care of that beach. The beach for the older units was disgusting when we arrived. We have been all over the Caribbean and understand it can be challenging to keep up with the incoming seaweed. This was not that. This was piles of seaweed and a lot of trash, buckets, old shoes and many other items besides bottles etc. it was clear that it had built up over an extended time and smelled badly
When we complained about the litter we were told it was a worldwide problem and they can’t keep up. The problem with that is they do keep up on the beach with the more expensive units. At one point we got so disgusted that we asked for bags and gloves to clean the trash up ourselves. We filled up 2 full trash bags right in front of our unit. Finally after several days we made a bigger stink and within a couple hours they cleaned it up. They had trouble with the tractor for a day or two which was one of the excuses but that does not excuse how much was seaweed was there and they could have still cleaned up the trash.
The irony is we paid over 900/ night US dollars and the people in the nicer units paid less as they were there on a two for one
Despite the great staff, I can’t recommend this place esp given the very high price we paid to be around this much trash
When we complained about the litter we were told it was a worldwide problem and they can’t keep up. The problem with that is they do keep up on the beach with the more expensive units. At one point we got so disgusted that we asked for bags and gloves to clean the trash up ourselves. We filled up 2 full trash bags right in front of our unit. Finally after several days we made a bigger stink and within a couple hours they cleaned it up. They had trouble with the tractor for a day or two which was one of the excuses but that does not excuse how much was seaweed was there and they could have still cleaned up the trash.
The irony is we paid over 900/ night US dollars and the people in the nicer units paid less as they were there on a two for one
Despite the great staff, I can’t recommend this place esp given the very high price we paid to be around this much trash
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Date of stay: February 2020Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from BlackbirdCayeResort, Manager at Blackbird Caye Resort
Responded Feb 10, 2020
Dear Chuck, We are glad to hear that you enjoyed your time with our amazing staff. We take pride in making our guests feel welcomed and always do our best to ensure they have a wonderful vacation. It is no secret that the world is suffering from plastic pollution and being on a remote island has its challenges at times for keeping this under control. We have five men that work tirelessly raking and removing seaweed and plastic debris everyday from the front beach. It is unfortunate that we had a tractor break down for 4 days this week, and while we were waiting for a part, they had to manage the beach with wheelbarrows, raking piles and then picking them up. With the easterly winds we had this week, we had more debris than usual on the south part of the beach, in front of your unit. After mentioning this to us, we asked the guys to focus on the beach in front of your unit. We apologize that you had a less than five star experience with us. We ensure that the entire front beach continues to be a main focus for our efforts. We believe our island is beautiful, and we will continue to make positive changes to reduce our plastic use as a resort, so we can do our part to keep our oceans clean. Thank you for sharing, and we hope that you will consider returning to Blackbird. Kind regards, Blackbird Management
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
We spent a week at Blackbird Caye for the first time in April 2021. Our 2020 plans were put on hold for a year but we booked as soon as we were able to travel after getting our covid vaccines. We highly recommend Blackbird! The staff were so friendly and welcoming, from manager Stephen to chef Nicki, to server Christine to dive guides Aldo and Emmanuel, to bartenders Jose and George... everyone went above and beyond to make it a memorable stay for us. We stayed in the Ocean Suite and while we peeked at the gorgeous newer units, this overwater unit was perfect for our needs to celebrate our 20th anniversary. It had a big deck and screened porch and incredible views. Interior was a bit dated, but it's an atoll 30 miles off the mainland, so we were really impressed with how everything at the resort was brought there by barge. Ignore any older complaints about meals and portion sizes. The food was plentiful and tasty, and while tilapia 3 times in one week wasn't what I would have asked for, it was prepared uniquely each time and everything was always very tasty. The sourghum grasses washed up each day but the groundkeepers removed it daily. The dive team were extremely knowledgeable and we go to tick off our wishlist items; Blue Hole, the Elbow, etc. Everyone staying at Blackbird that week had one or two wishes and we did them all.
Pros: 1) good value for the money, 2) no distractions (only intermittent wifi), just diving relaxing, eating, sleeping and more diving 3) blissfully uncrowded resort where we met other travelers for meals. 4) Nobody hassled us to buy tourist tchotchkes 5) OMG so many great dives! 6) sharks, turtles, rays, and more sharks!
Cons: 1) long way to get there - fly, wait for the shuttle, then take the boat to the island so that 11 am direct flight didn't get us anywhere. 2) if you want exciting nightlife, stay in San Pedro. 2) if you can't stand the sight of sourgum grass, don't visit Belize 3) if 3' long iguanas sunbathing frighten you or if geckos in the shower freak you out, don't visit the tropics. 4) the beach at Blackbird Cay suffers from erosion but they work hard to keep maintain it.
We made lots of friends both among the guests and staff. We'll definitely visit Blackbird Cay again.
Pros: 1) good value for the money, 2) no distractions (only intermittent wifi), just diving relaxing, eating, sleeping and more diving 3) blissfully uncrowded resort where we met other travelers for meals. 4) Nobody hassled us to buy tourist tchotchkes 5) OMG so many great dives! 6) sharks, turtles, rays, and more sharks!
Cons: 1) long way to get there - fly, wait for the shuttle, then take the boat to the island so that 11 am direct flight didn't get us anywhere. 2) if you want exciting nightlife, stay in San Pedro. 2) if you can't stand the sight of sourgum grass, don't visit Belize 3) if 3' long iguanas sunbathing frighten you or if geckos in the shower freak you out, don't visit the tropics. 4) the beach at Blackbird Cay suffers from erosion but they work hard to keep maintain it.
We made lots of friends both among the guests and staff. We'll definitely visit Blackbird Cay again.
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Date of stay: April 2021
Rooms
Location
Service
Room Tip:Â Blackbird Caye is best for dive groups, couples, single divers looking for a group and snorkelers
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Resort Manager, General Manager at Blackbird Caye Resort
Responded Jun 12, 2021
Thank you so much for taking the time to write this kind review. We agree that our team at Blackbird are the icing on the cake! They really love what they do and it shows. :) We hope that you will be back to get salty with us again in the future.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The main reason to vacation here is scuba diving and I can say that the diving is as good as anywhere else in the Caribbean including Little Cayman, Roatan or Bonaire. The dive guides were excellent, friendly and helpful. They provided good tips which I appreciated. Diving was closer to a live aboard experience: boat rides were about 5 minutes and they returned to the resort in between dives, as opposed to being on a small dive boat rocking around for an hour. It was great to relax in my own room. The trip to the iconic Blue Hole was handled very well. That dive goes to a depth of 130 feet and the resort checked out the divers with a local dive making a brief stop at 120 feet before we made the 75 minute trip the next day. The rooms were clean and the bedding very comfortable. The tap water was purified on island and tasted fine. The food was quite good. I tried to meet and dine with all the guests while I was there and nobody had complaints about the food and everyone was complimentary. Special requests such as vegetarian, no mushrooms, not spicy, food allergies and so forth were all handled well. Every last staff member was friendly and clearly tried to make my stay enjoyable. In all honesty it wasn't perfect. Internet speed is very slow so you can not easily upload your 4K dive movies while you are there. There are mosquitoes present especially late afternoon if the breeze was mild. They supplied deet which worked fine and so did the picaridin which I prefer. Let me repeat that I had a great stay and really enjoyed the diving! The reefs were in great shape and there were sharks, turtles and other great marine life in abundance. Highly recommended!
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Date of stay: November 2021
Value
Rooms
Service
Room Tip:Â There are newly renovated rooms which aren't much more expensive.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Resort Manager, General Manager at Blackbird Caye Resort
Responded Dec 6, 2021
Thank you for your review. We do feel incredibly lucky to be so close to so many amazing dive sites, and our team does pride themselves in safety. Please do come back and see us! :)
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I've always dreamed of getting dive certified, and when I finally had the time I was debating between a more happening beach scene like Ambergris vs private-island dive resort. After my week at Blackbird Caye, I'm positive I made the right decision. Blackbird Caye is only a 45min boat ride from amazing spots like Playground, Aquarium and Blue Hole. It is only 5 minutes away from plenty of other amazing scuba spots. This made it really easy to go on 3 dives/day. By the end of the week I went from being scared of deep water to feeling comfortable in any environment. The dive masters were all excellent, experienced pros who were great at making you feel safe while advancing at your own pace. The experience was DEFINITELY enhanced by the live musician they hired, Dennis Wolfe, who played during happy hour every day that week. Although pricey upfront, when you factor in the number of dives we went on, the sense of security in knowing all the gear is well kept and your teachers are all amazing with a great sense of humor... I think it's a bargain compared to other places. Everyone who works there from the captain to the chef and manager all want to make your experience as best as possible, and they definitely succeeded. Thank you Blackbird Caye!
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Date of stay: July 2021
Value
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Resort Manager, General Manager at Blackbird Caye Resort
Responded Aug 17, 2021
Thank you so very much for your kind review. We are so glad that you enjoyed your stay. Welcome to the world of diving!! We hope that you will come back and visit us again soon! :)
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
A second trip to Blackbird Caye Resort was even better than the first. It was good to see staff and dive masters who were friends and fun to make more friends. The atmosphere was calm and leisurely, the pace of life was serene, although the adventures came every morning and afternoon. The food was good and seaside cabanas made everyone feel special. Coffee was available an hour before sunrise for those who enjoyed being at the water's edge to watch the sun rise.
Diving was a pleasure, for most of the dive spots were less than 10 minutes from the dock. Water quality was occasionally excellent and usually very good, and the reefs are in excellent condition. When we dove on a site, we were usually the only dive boat within miles, usually with 4 to 6 divers at a site.
The dive captain and dive masters were excellent, making it easy for divers to get in and out of the water and anticipating their needs. Nitrox was available and a new meter made measurements simple and fast. The crew took care of gear, changing regulators and BCs to new tanks between dives.
One day was a trip to the Great Blue Hole, then a spectacular dive on nearby Half Moon Caye and then just a few miles to an excellent wall at Long Caye. In addition, between dives we had a hearty barbecue lunch on scenic Half Moon Caye and a visit to a platform that provided excellent views of nesting Magnificent Frigate Birds and Red Footed Boobies.
At Blackbird Caye Resort, spiny tailed black iguanas move among the cabanas while Brown Pelicans repeatedly dove into the water, Magnificent Frigate Birds soared gracefully overhead. This is a superb place for a naturalist to explore on land and along the reefs.
Diving was a pleasure, for most of the dive spots were less than 10 minutes from the dock. Water quality was occasionally excellent and usually very good, and the reefs are in excellent condition. When we dove on a site, we were usually the only dive boat within miles, usually with 4 to 6 divers at a site.
The dive captain and dive masters were excellent, making it easy for divers to get in and out of the water and anticipating their needs. Nitrox was available and a new meter made measurements simple and fast. The crew took care of gear, changing regulators and BCs to new tanks between dives.
One day was a trip to the Great Blue Hole, then a spectacular dive on nearby Half Moon Caye and then just a few miles to an excellent wall at Long Caye. In addition, between dives we had a hearty barbecue lunch on scenic Half Moon Caye and a visit to a platform that provided excellent views of nesting Magnificent Frigate Birds and Red Footed Boobies.
At Blackbird Caye Resort, spiny tailed black iguanas move among the cabanas while Brown Pelicans repeatedly dove into the water, Magnificent Frigate Birds soared gracefully overhead. This is a superb place for a naturalist to explore on land and along the reefs.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: February 2020
Room Tip:Â Spacious and comfortable.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from BlackbirdCayeResort, Manager at Blackbird Caye Resort
Responded Feb 13, 2020
Dear Jeff, We’re so happy to hear that you enjoy our resort so much that you keep coming back! What a nice review! Thank you so much for taking the time to write it for us, that really made our day! We appreciate the lovely photos you shared and the memories you wrote about in your review. We also love the amazing birds and marine life that surround our Atoll! We look forward to welcoming you back on Turneffe again next year! Thank you! The Blackbird Team
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Our family of four spent a week at Blackbird at the end of March 2022. My wife and I travelled with our two daughters (12 & 14).
Our week at Blackbird was amazing. Our daughters completed their open water course with Emmy and had the time of their lives. Emmy did a great job completing their open water course and in improving their diving. By mid week they were confident and capable.
The primary reason we went to Blackbird was to dive and it checked all the boxes. We dove with Emmy and Manuel who were both superb divemasters as were the dives themselves. We also can't say enough good things about the captains who took special care to deliver a smooth ride and an easy exit from the water. We didn't get the chance to dive with the other divemasters but everyone on the dive staff was friendly, fun and safe.
We stayed in one of the older beach cabins (11 & 12). When we booked we were disappointed that the new villas were all taken but our cabins were spacious and lovely. We partially appreciated the air conditioner was more than up to the job of keeping the bedroom cool for sleeping.
Early in our trip Francisco the manger asked how we were doing and when we replied great his reply was "I'm happy you're happy". This about sums up the Blackbird staff. Everyone in the restaurant, pool bar and Palapa bar were just wonderful.
We'd highly recommend Blackbird for both serious divers and those completing their open water as well as families. Seaweed wasn't an issue, the beach was lovely, nice looking paddle boards and kayaks were available but after 3 dives a day we relaxed instead of doing more!
A great trip!
Our week at Blackbird was amazing. Our daughters completed their open water course with Emmy and had the time of their lives. Emmy did a great job completing their open water course and in improving their diving. By mid week they were confident and capable.
The primary reason we went to Blackbird was to dive and it checked all the boxes. We dove with Emmy and Manuel who were both superb divemasters as were the dives themselves. We also can't say enough good things about the captains who took special care to deliver a smooth ride and an easy exit from the water. We didn't get the chance to dive with the other divemasters but everyone on the dive staff was friendly, fun and safe.
We stayed in one of the older beach cabins (11 & 12). When we booked we were disappointed that the new villas were all taken but our cabins were spacious and lovely. We partially appreciated the air conditioner was more than up to the job of keeping the bedroom cool for sleeping.
Early in our trip Francisco the manger asked how we were doing and when we replied great his reply was "I'm happy you're happy". This about sums up the Blackbird staff. Everyone in the restaurant, pool bar and Palapa bar were just wonderful.
We'd highly recommend Blackbird for both serious divers and those completing their open water as well as families. Seaweed wasn't an issue, the beach was lovely, nice looking paddle boards and kayaks were available but after 3 dives a day we relaxed instead of doing more!
A great trip!
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Date of stay: March 2022
Value
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Blackbird Caye Resort is truly a wonderful destination for a fantastic dive/snorkel/island vacation! Starting with the arrival at the airport, the driver was very kind, allowing us to stop at a convenience store before taking us to the boat dock. We had a very nice boat ride over to the island, although this is obviously weather dependent. Upon arriving on the island, Markus and Melissa (the managers), gave us a wonderful greeting and started our vacation off fantastically with a welcome drink. We stayed in one of the newly built cabanas, which were beautiful, with a screened in porch and a large sliding door overlooking the ocean along with a small little beach cabana with chairs right out front. We did peak into the older cabanas while we were there and I think that staying in these cabanas would have also been totally fine since you spend so little time in the cabana anyway. Overall, the food, service, and drinks at Blackbird Caye were fantastic and they were more than happy to accommodate any extra wishes.
Now onto the diving. This was hands down the best diving that I have ever done and it was so easy and perfect. All of the dive sites, with the exception of the Blue Hole and Lighthouse Reef and the Elbow, are no more than 10 minutes from the dock. Every dive master, boat crew, and boat captain were incredible in ensuring that everyone was safe and had enjoyable dives.
Overall, I certainly loved my trip here and I can't wait to go back!
Now onto the diving. This was hands down the best diving that I have ever done and it was so easy and perfect. All of the dive sites, with the exception of the Blue Hole and Lighthouse Reef and the Elbow, are no more than 10 minutes from the dock. Every dive master, boat crew, and boat captain were incredible in ensuring that everyone was safe and had enjoyable dives.
Overall, I certainly loved my trip here and I can't wait to go back!
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Date of stay: February 2020
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Melissa and Markus, General Manager at Blackbird Caye Resort
Responded Mar 8, 2020
Hello Sarah, thanks a lot for the feedback and your rating! We really appreciate that. We are happy that you enjoyed your stay with us and hope to see you again soon! Your Blackbird team
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Have stayed at Blackbird twice
I know the Cabana if it's the one over the water on the beach. It so cute. but have not stayed in that one. Staff there are very receptive to email questions. Say hello to George at the bar. Tell him the Cincinnati group sends hugs.
Hi, Yes we do have lines inside the shower stalls to dry wet clothes.
I was there from 27 March to 3 April 2021 and the beach was not usable due to sargassum. The resort was cleaning it up and it was looking better by the time we left. People we meet there said the beach was fine the week before. It all depends upon the wind as that is what pushes the sargassum ashore.
Hello Lourdes, thanks for your message regarding the snorkelling. We have beautiful beach in front of the resort but it is not the best snorkelling as it becomes deep quite quickly and you don't see that much. We offer twice a day a snorkelling trip by boat to some amazing snorkelling sites just 10 mins away. There is a chance to see all kinds of reef fish, turtles, rays and from the boat sometimes Dolphins. When are you planning to visit us? If you would like a quote for a snorkel package please submit a request through our website.
Thanks very much. Looking forward to have you here at Blackbird.
Markus
Resort Manager
Ours was a package deal. Accommadations, meals, 3 dives a day for 7 days was 2200 pp US dollars.
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"Bring a voracious appetite. The food is some of the best I have ever consumed. Also bring bug spray, trust me you'll want it."Read full review
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ALSO KNOWN AS
blackbird caye hotel turneffe islands, blackbird caye belize city
LOCATION
BelizeBelize CayesTurneffe Atoll
NUMBER OF ROOMS
18
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Blackbird Caye Resort
What are some of the property amenities at Blackbird Caye Resort?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include a swimup bar, free breakfast, and a pool.
Which room amenities are available at Blackbird Caye Resort?
Top room amenities include air conditioning, blackout curtains, and a desk.
What food & drink options are available at Blackbird Caye Resort?
Guests can enjoy a swimup bar, free breakfast, and an on-site restaurant during their stay.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Blackbird Caye Resort?
Yes, guests have access to a pool during their stay.
Does Blackbird Caye Resort have an airport shuttle?
Yes, Blackbird Caye Resort offers an airport shuttle for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Does Blackbird Caye Resort have airport transportation?
Yes, Blackbird Caye Resort offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Blackbird Caye Resort?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English, Spanish, and French.
Does Blackbird Caye Resort have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the harbor view available here.