BELIZE - Geographically, Belize is a country quite small in size (8,866 square miles), but it is huge in attractions, diving and diversity. Whether your destination in Belize entails mainland tours or an outer atoll for fishing and diving, Belize has something to offer everyone. English is the common language spoken, but with such a rich history you will find a veritable melting pot of cultures consisting of Creole, Maya, Mestizo (a mix of Spanish and Indian), Garifuna (black Carib Indians) and Mennonites. As a result, Belize offers a relaxed, casual atomosphere for divers, fishermen and for those that just want to experience another world filled with good food, lots of sun and Island Dreams.
TURNEFFE ATOLL and TURNEFFE ISLAND LODGE - Turneffe Atoll, considered to be one of Belize's premiere dive destinations, lives up to it's reputation with the help of Turneffe Island Lodge. This is a perfect place for both divers and fishermen to get away from the pressures of the modern world. Each of the 12 guest rooms are only a few steps from the water's edge and none of which come equipped with phones, televisions or fax machines. All the cabins have modern baths, plenty of running hot water, and all the rooms have ceiling fans and some even come with air conditioning, but you will most likely not need to use it with the constant breeze that Turneffe Island Lodge enjoys. The lounge and dining room are comfortable and friendly as you sit down to family style meals that you are lovingly called to by a ringing of a cowbell.
Meals are prepared each day with fresh fish delivered to the chef from the local spear fisherman along with some old favorites like homemade lasagna, fresh baked breads, fruits and vegetables and plenty of fattening desserts! The food was wonderful! The staff makes you feel as if you are in their home as there is no end to their generosity and hospitality. When not diving or fishing, guests can choose a book a good collection in the homemade library and grab the first available hammock or, you can take one of the many kayaks or windsurfers out and cruise around the island. Horseshoes and volleyball or just simply walking along the shore in search of conch shells can make up most of the day. You might want to visit Sherman at the bar and have him concoct one of his daiquiris…. they are truly heaven on earth! You might ask him about his amazing card tricks too.
Or Fridays, the dive shop will conduct an island tour by boat in lieu of a third boat dive, as you will be flying early the next day. On this tour, keep watch for alligators, manatees and dolphins. Later that night, enjoy the smell of the barbecue where everyone gathers for one one last dinner together and to talk about the exciting things everyone has experienced over the last week. The only rule to remember and is strictly enforced while at Turneffe Island Lodge is wearing shoes is not required!
THE DIVING - Most of the diving is located within a 5- minute boat ride from the Lodge. For those that are accustomed to seasickness, bring some Dramamine for both the transfer and the diving as the swells once outside of the reef can get very rough. Jessica runs the Dive Shop while her husband Ron, runs the fly shop and with the help of Tony who is a native Belizian, they provide a very safe, reliable outfit for both divers and fishermen. On our first day of diving, we filled out our forms and showed our C-cards and then we were ready to go. Not wanting to tow all of our equipment other than masks, fins and snorkels to the lodge, we were provided with both BC's and regulators but for those that have their own equipment, we suggest you bring what you can as rental dive gear at the Lodge is somewhat limited. However, with enough warning prior to your vacation, the Lodge can provide rental gear.
Once in the water we were faced with an abundance of marine life. Our favorite dive, the famous Elbow, was a wonderland of pelagics and schools of Snapper, Horse-eye jacks, Grouper, Permit and the occasional shark. While getting ready to dive this site, we noticed boats from as far as San Pedro, at least an hour's boat ride to this site, and realized the 5-minute boat ride from the Lodge can spoil a person! Turneffe Island Lodge does provide day trips to the famed Blue Hole and Half-Moon Caye as well as night dives. For those that need instruction, Jess and her staff do provide instruction with multiple levels of certification, along with two compressors, tanks, underwater video systems complete with editing and titling options and underwater camera equipment and computers for rent.
There is a recompression chamber in San Pedro and the $1.00 donation per tank and would be useful in case of a diving accident. There is no shore diving at Turneffe due to the Salt grass, but there is plenty of snorkeling…just watch out for Bear, the resident chocolate Labrador, who likes to wade in the shallow water in search of Barracuda! It is rumored that he caught one once…
GETTING THERE - With daily flights available on TACA, American Airlines and Continental, Island Dreams can arrange for you to fly in to Belize City, arrange for your transfers to the docks at the Fiesta Inn in time for the boat transfer to the Lodge. You will be greeted by a representative of Turneffe Island Lodge at Belize International Airport and escorted to the boat for the one hour and forty-five minute ride thorough the barrier islands to Turneffe atoll. The 43-foot boat used for transfers provides sheltered space below deck in case of foul weather. Seats along the bow of the boat provide front row seats where you can search for the dolphins who like to ride the bow when you are approaching the Lodge.
For those flying on TACA, keep in mind that you will need to be at the boat docks by 3:00 pm and TACA does not get you into Belize International in time for the transfer. If TACA is your only option you can overnight at either the Fiesta Inn or the Radisson Fort George located within a mile of each other where you spend the night and catch the Saturday transfer to the resort. It is most economical to visit the resort on a Saturday to Saturday but for those that absolutely cannot get there on a Saturday, there is the option to charter a boat at your own expense for about $250-$450. For a quick fix, you can stay for 3 or 4 nights when leaving on a Wednesday of Saturday.
HELPFUL HINTS - The week at Turneffe Island Lodge includes 3 boat dives per day, a day trip to the Blue Hole, all meals, lodging, land and boat transfers, sea kayaks and wind surfers. What you will need to bring is extra cash for the departure tax from Belize ($15.00USD), your bar tab, scuba rental equipment, gratuities, and airfare and hotel tax. Bring lots of sunscreen, books and comfortable clothes but most of all relax, have fun, eat what ever you want, dive all day and remember to wave good bye to the fishes on your last dive!
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