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Turneffe Island Lodge, Belize
Trip
Report
During the second week in
January we spent a wonderful week out on a small island off the coast of
Belize. We stayed at the Turneffe Island Lodge, which is actually a collection
of beach front cottages and small buildings on the remote private island
of Caye Bokel, down on the southern tip of the oval archipelago known as
the Turneffe Islands. These islands sit atop a 60 kilometer long coral
atoll on the eastern edge of Belize's beautiful barrier reef, south of
Ambergris Caye and east of Belize City. It's a unique place, one of only
four coral atolls in the Caribbean. Three of these are closely grouped
in Belizean waters and are home to the Turneffe Islands, Lighthouse Reef
(with the Blue Hole), and Glover's Reef. And the other is the Chinchorro
Banks to the north off the coast of Quintana Roo, Mexico.
Some
of the resort's boats
Getting
there
Most guests fly into Belize
City where they are met by the lodge's van and shuttled over to the boat
(this transfer is included), but we decided to drive down from Mexico and
meet the boat at the dock for the hour plus ride out to the resort. We
were quite pleased when we saw our ride, the lodge's luxurious new Pro
43 cabin cruiser which leaves the dock for the island at 2:30. Andy and
Lizette welcomed us aboard and offered a rum punch to each of the new guests
(there were only 11 of us). Any baggage was carried off by the staff (to
appear in the rooms later) with no heavy lifting by the guests whatsoever,
and then we were off. The weather was
beautiful as the Pro 43 sliced through the chop, skimming over the barrier
reef. As Belize City shrunk in the distance, the feeling that something
special was about to happen was definitely in the air. Along the way we
passed the occasional sailboat, motor yacht and speed boat, eventually
reaching some mangrove islands and little palm fringed sand islands that
looked like something off a postcard. We mingled with the crew and our
fellow guests, exchanging the usual travel banter and asking questions
about the boat and the resort. Before long the dock at Caye Bokel appeared.
On
the island
As we
stepped off the boat and onto the dock we were given a warm welcome to the
island and then escorted to our individual cottages to settle in. A little
while later at the main lodge we were given a general orientation by Julie and
informed that "island" time was an hour later than mainland time. Time to
kick back and relax. A typical day starts with breakfast served family style
in the main dining room at the lodge (likewise for lunch and dinner). After
that those on packages usually go diving or fishing and anyone interested in
participating in the activities "a la carte" is welcome to come along (remember to bring your
"C" card and log book if you're a diver). Since we were on a 17 dive
package our next move was to the dive shop where we were introduced to
any of the dive staff we had not already met, and given a full briefing.
For those who want to learn to dive, classes are available. All was very
nice and professional, and the staff very friendly. The anglers get their
own guide and boat for fishing the flats.
What
to do?
The lodge offers a variety
of water sports to guests. Some
of the best flats fishing in the Caribbean for permit, tarpon and
bone fish is in the mangroves surrounding Turneffe. Local guides and special
flats boats provide great access and advice for the fishermen, and you don't have to be
a seasoned pro to give it a try. Since we're divers we decided to stick
to what we know. And the scuba diving IS spectacular! Daily
diving is offered on miles of pristine reefs teeming with tropical fish.
This is some of the best ocean reef diving we've ever done! Boat rides to
the dive sites average less than 10 minutes, and once a week the resort's
other deluxe Pro 43 dive boat carries divers to Lighthouse Reef for diving
in Belize's famous ocean Blue Hole and on the reef. A picnic lunch on beautiful
Half Moon Caye nearby the Blue Hole is included. Our dive staff was terrific,
consisting of Brad and Eddie as alternate captains, Ricky as the dive master,
and Lizette is the scuba instructor who also runs the diving operation. For those
who want to hang around the resort, snorkeling and kayaking in crystal
clear water is right off the beach. To mix it up a bit we kayaked two afternoons
right in front of the lodge where several ocean going sailboats were temporarily
moored. Caye Bokel is easily circumnavigated on a kayak when it's not too
windy and there is another uninhabited island next door with an interesting
shoreline.
Food,
drinks and extras
 All
the meals we had were terrific, and the resort publishes its own cook book,
"A Taste of Turneffe" (available from their office in the US). Shrimp,
lobster, fish, poultry, fresh fruit, fresh veggies, all prepared and served
by local Belizean gals who really know what they're doing. And always with
a friendly smile. The bar opens around midday and features a delicious
blender concoction daily. There is no need to carry money at this resort.
You do as you please and settle up any additional charges on your last
day. There are no surprises since everything is explained in the orientation
on the first day and any questions are answered anytime you have them.
This is a small resort that specializes in personal service. The hardest
thing you'll have to do is go home. If you have ever entertained living
the Caribbean island fantasy this is an excellent place to do it.
See more Trip photos
Go to Turneffe's webpage
Group trip planned to Turneffe
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