The islands of Turneffe Atoll are considered by most to have the best resort-based diving that Belize has to offer. Its dive sites lie in a conservation area and are suitable for every level of diver; the western side has shallow reefs that are perfect for novices, while the varied topography on the east side is more suited for the seasoned diver. Wrecks, drop-offs and sometimes strong currents can make for some challenging dives, but sightings of large fish are frequent. Spotted eagle rays, turtles and blacktip sharks are common visitors to Turneffe's reefs.
The highlight of diving at Turneffe, and one of the best sites in Belize, is The Elbow. This exposed southern point is a congregation area for for large schools of jacks and snappers, thousands of groupers come here to spawn, and sharks and rays are also attracted to the area by all the fish action. It's a 'must do' dive site.
Around 450 hundred mangrove covered islands interspersed with creeks and picturesque lagoons make up Belize's largest atoll. Lying just a short boat ride east of Belize City, the islands of Turneffe that make up the atoll are 31 miles (50 km) long and 9 miles (15 km) across. Away from the crowds and with some of the Caribbean's best diving right on your doorstep, this unspoiled natural paradise is equally stunning, both above and below its nutrient rich water's surface.
There is good diving all around the atoll, with each area offering something a little different to the rest. There only a few small dive resorts dotted around Turneffe, each built on its own idyllic palm fringed island (caye).
Considering the absence of infrastructure out here, the resorts all have surprisingly high standards of accommodation and facilities. Our range runs from a deluxe resort option in the south to more affordable beach cabana style accommodation along the atoll's eastern coast.
There is no center of activity on Turneffe Reef Atoll so you can expect a laid-back vacation experience wherever you choose to stay. Each resort though boasts a swimming pool and some encourage other adventure activities that are suitable for exploring the natural surrounds of the atoll, such as canoeing, snorkeling, fishing and manatee spotting, although scuba diving remains the main focus of all the resorts.
Day trips to Belize's best known dive sites at Lighthouse Reef, including the Great Blue Hole, are arranged once a week and are often included in your package. [More information on these dive sites: Turneffe Atoll, Lighthouse Reef, The Blue Hole].
With over 70 different sites to dive at the atoll, stays of 1 week are ideal although shorter stays are possible too. Turneffe diving packages are normally inclusive of full board accommodation, dives and boat transfers from Belize City.
> [More details: Turneffe Atoll Dive Resorts]Check out your dive package options to stay at this diving and nature retreat:
Blackbird Caye Resort
Customer rating: Excellent!
Turneffe Flats Resort
Customer rating: Excellent!
Turneffe enjoys a sub-tropical climate, lies in the belt with the least rainfall in the whole of Belize, and enjoys plenty of sunshine throughout the year. The pronounced dry season runs from January through May and the rainy season is between June and December, with a mini-dry period in July and August, followed by the tropical storm season in October/November. The mean annual temperature is 80°F (27°C), fluctuating from a maximum of 85°F (29°C) in June and August to 75°F (24°C) in December.
You can dive in Turneffe Atoll all the year round although Christmas through to the end of April is often noted as the high season. There are also some seasonal factors that may affect your preferred time to travel so please check our Turneffe Atoll dive site descriptions for more details on these. Usually, any passing tropical storms just mean the switching of scuba diving activities to the more sheltered western coast of the atoll.
All of our diving resorts at Turneffe Atoll supply free boat transfers from Belize City. It's a scenic 1 hour 30 minute journey, taking you through one of the cuts in the barrier reef and close to some of the cayes before meandering your way along the mangrove-lined creeks to your resort. There is also an airstrip located on Blackbird Caye which allows for the option of a short flight from Belize City for guests staying there.
Sometimes unexpected events can cause travelers to change their plans and cancel their dive trip. For this reason we recommend you consider scuba, travel and trip cancellation insurance. See our insurance program for a competitive quotation:
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