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Turneffe Atoll in Belize provides a home to many creatures – find your perfect stay with our guide to Turneffe Atoll accommodation options.
Turneffe Atoll, a large coral atoll in the Caribbean, off the eastern coast of Belize, truly has something for everyone. Thanks to its status as a Marine Protected Area (MPA), the wildlife and beauty of Turneffe have remained intact. The progressive management of the MPA means that local people can derive sustainable livelihoods through fishing and ecotourism – by staying on Turneffe Atoll, you’ll be contributing to the upliftment of local communities. In other words, you won’t be the only person who benefits from your stay here.
Turneffe Atoll is home to many iconic, important and vulnerable species, including many types of reef fish, sea turtles, sharks and the American saltwater crocodile. The mosaic of habitats found at Turneffe mean that many species can thrive there, and recent innovations including the deliberate sinking of The Wit to form an artificial reef are attracting more wildlife in even greater numbers.
However you choose to explore Turneffe Atoll – on land, following a nature trail, or underwater (scuba diving or snorkeling), there is always something new to discover (including traces of Mayan history) or a new species to encounter. You can even pit your wits against wily permit and tarpon when you go catch and release flyfishing.
Now, all you have to do is choose where to stay on Turneffe Atoll – check out our recommendations below.
This warm and welcoming PADI 5-star diving resort focuses very much on the superlative diving to be had in the warm, clear azure waters around Turneffe Atoll – including at Great Blue Hole, Half Moon Caye, on the wreck of The Wit and at over 70 other dive sites. When you’re not under the water, you’ll be able to relax and enjoy the newly refurbished accommodations, including beach villas, and a total of 17 oceanfront cabanas sized for couples and families. You can even use the interactive map feature on their website to select your ideal cabana in advance.
Blackbird Caye has Turneffe’s only airstrip, making charter flights from the mainland an option if you want to maximise your island time. Packages at Blackbird Caye are all-inclusive – all you have to do once you arrive is relax and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the Caribbean.
In keeping with the ethos of the Turneffe Atoll MPA, Blackbird Caye takes a sustainable approach to energy generation and water use, so you can relax in the knowledge that your only impact will be the footprints that you leave on the beach.
While diving is what Blackbird Caye is best known for, it’s far from the only activity on offer. You can also snorkel on the shallow reefers, or take a paddleboard or kayak out for an excursion. The island is a paradise for birds – and birders – and you can also explore the nearby mangrove forests and lagoons for a change of scene. Last but not least, there’s nothing wrong with simply lounging by the oceanside pool!
The wreck of the Wit off Turneffe Atoll offers some of the best wreck diving in Belize.
Immerse yourself in the fun, educational adventure of Belize’s first snorkel trail.
Try for a Grand Slam when you flyfish in the shallow coastal waters of Turneffe Atoll.
Turneffe Atoll has retained its biodiversity and offers the best scuba diving in Belize.
Walk back in time as you see the mangrove forests of Calabash Caye.
100% of your donation will go to support the work of the Turneffe Atoll Sustainability Association