Offshore Marine Reserve in Belize Struggles with Poaching and Overfishing Issues
Nestled on Belize's largest coral reef, Turneffe Atoll, lies Turneffe Flats Dive Center - a haven for diving enthusiasts seeking an unparalleled underwater adventure. Renowned for its rich marine biodiversity and over 70 conveniently accessible dive sites, this dive center offers a unique blend of easy access, comfortable accommodations, delectable cuisine, and expert diving staff.
The dive packages cater to all levels of divers, providing access to the Atoll's diverse dive sites. Weekly trips to the famous Blue Hole and Lighthouse Reef are offered, weather permitting. The prime location ensures short boat rides to dive spots, avoiding lengthy travel times.
Accommodation at Turneffe Flats is comfortable and stylish. Guest rooms and villas feature air conditioning, private bathrooms, and comfortable bedding, often combining seaside guest rooms with spacious villas. For those seeking more space, Belize Dive Haven Resort & Marina, located on Turneffe Atoll, offers 96 air-conditioned residences.
Three meals a day, featuring a blend of Belizean and American cuisine, are prepared fresh to guest preferences. Dining facilities include a restaurant at the end of the pier with a relaxing atmosphere, and a bar/lounge area for evening gatherings.
A typical diving day at Turneffe Flats begins at 8:00 AM and includes three boat dives, with the weekly night dive usually on Wednesday evening. Divers can often complete up to three dives a day, leaving plenty of time for relaxation. Dive Master-led excursions ensure personalized and relaxed diving experiences.
The dive center prides itself on small groups and avoids crowded dive spots, enhancing the quality of underwater exploration. A qualified Divemaster and/or Instructor is in the water at all times, using the buddy system, conducting safety stops on every dive, and planning adequate surface intervals between dives.
The boat trip to Turneffe Flats involves traveling through several offshore cayes, the Barrier Reef, open ocean, and the interior lagoon of Turnfffe Atoll. On the dive boat, towels, cold drinks, fresh fruit, a fresh water rinse tank for camera equipment, and the handling of dive equipment during the stay are provided.
Turneffe Flats prioritizes personalized service and keeps dive groups at eight divers or less. The dive center offers PADI Dive Instruction with a range of courses available, including Open Water Referrals, Advanced SCUBA Diver Certification, Discover Scuba Diving, and various Specialty Courses.
The staff is First Aid & Oxygen First Aid trained and affiliated with Subaquatic Safety Services which operates the Hyperbaric Chamber in Belize. Nitrox is available, and Nitrox Certification is offered at Turneffe Flats. Tanks, weights, and weight belts are provided by Turneffe Flats, with rental equipment, including BCD's, regulators, and dive computers, available.
Dive sites in Turneffe Atoll feature a variety of hard and soft corals, Caribbean tropicals, eagle rays, sharks, turtles, dolphins, moray eels, and occasionally a whale shark, in addition to large schools of permit, horse eye jacks, and dog snapper.
Meals at Turneffe Flats consist of a combination of Belizean and International dishes, with fresh seafood, local produce, and home-baked pastries being standard fare. The bar is located in the Lodge just adjacent to the dining area.
Turneffe Flats has 11 total rooms, including 8 beach cabanas, a 3-bedroom reef villa, a 3-bedroom garden villa, and a spacious oceanfront two-bedroom villa. All dive packages at Turneffe Flats include trips to the Blue Hole and Lighthouse Reef without any additional fees.
The resort is approximately a 90-minute boat ride from the Belize City marina, with transport arranged from Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport. Pricing varies by season and package customization; direct contact is advised for specific itineraries and costs. The area offers not only exceptional diving but also saltwater fly fishing and other outdoor activities.
In conclusion, Turneffe Flats Dive Center offers an unparalleled diving experience in Belize, combining easy access to diverse dive sites, comfortable accommodations, well-prepared food, and expert diving staff. Whether you're a seasoned diver or a beginner, Turneffe Flats promises an unforgettable underwater adventure.
- The Turneffe Flats Dive Center, situated on Belize's largest coral reef, Turneffe Atoll, delivers an extraordinary underwater adventure for diving enthusiasts.
- With over 70 accessible dive sites and a rich marine biodiversity, the dive center caters to all levels of divers, even offering trips to the famous Blue Hole and Lighthouse Reef.
- Accommodation at Turneffe Flats is comfortable and stylish, featuring air-conditioned rooms and villas with private bathrooms and comfortable bedding, either seaside or in spacious villas.
- Three meals a day, a blend of Belizean and American cuisine, are prepared fresh to guest preferences, with dining facilities including a restaurant and bar/lounge area.
- A typical diving day at Turneffe Flats comprises three boat dives, often allowing three dives a day, and Dive Master-led excursions ensure personalized and relaxed diving experiences.
- The dive center prioritizes small groups and avoids crowded dive spots, utilizing the buddy system, safety stops on every dive, and planning adequate surface intervals between dives.
- Dive sites in Turneffe Atoll boast a variety of hard and soft corals, Caribbean tropicals, and diverse marine life such as eagle rays, sharks, turtles, dolphins, moray eels, and occasionally whale sharks.
