Main Menu
Join Undercurrent on Facebook

The Private, Exclusive Guide for Serious Divers Since 1975 | |
For Divers since 1975
The Private, Exclusive Guide for Serious Divers Since 1975
"Best of the Web: scuba tips no other
source dares to publish" -- Forbes
X
 

Dive Review of Turneffe Lodge in
Belize/Turneffe Atoll

Turneffe Lodge, Dec, 2004,

by Tom Hayes, FL, US (Sr. Reviewer Sr. Reviewer 9 reports). Report 1485.

No photos available at this time

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Accommodations 4 stars Food 5 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity N/A
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving 1 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ N/A
Beginners 5 stars
Advanced 4 stars
Comments Everything was better than we had expected. We were met at the airport and from that point forward everything we asked for was provided. The transport boat was a 47', and we were provided rum punch to pass the 1-1/2 ride from the marina to Turneffe. The cabana rooms were very nice- well appointed and spacious, and everything worked as it should.

We set up our equipment prior to the first dive, and then never had to touch it again until it was returned at weeks end washed and rinsed. The divemasters and boat captains (8-10 divers max) could not have done more than they did. Underwater, the divemaster very quickly picked up each diver's preference for large or small critters and made sure to point them out. Most of the dives were drift dives in the 50' to 80' range, except for the blue hole where we went to 130'. A nice touch was a spreadsheet at week's end summarizing our dives, e.g., depth, time, critters, divemaster, boat name and date.

The coral and sponges were comparable to any place we have been in the Carribean. Lots of sharks, turtles and rays, and tons of little critters. No shore diving, but with three boat dives a day we were pretty tired by day's end.

The food was marvelous, and all we could eat. Every meal was different, and many of the recipes were unique to us (fortunately they had a cookbook for sale in the gift shop). Sherman the bartender knew everyone by name and quickly learned their favorite drinks. He entertained every night with card tricks and puzzles while we waited dinner.

The staff was always attentive, and really mingled with our group as the week went on. The managers- Lars, Rona and Assaf made sure everyone was comfortable. The kitchen staff baked fresh cookies every day for our post dive refreshment, and delivered hot coffee to our front porch each day at 6:30. The bar stayed open until no one was left (I was told).

The lodge provided free use of kayaks and a Hobie Cat for use during free time. Those in our group who went fishing caught bonefish, tarpon and permit- the "Grand Slam"- so the fishing must be as good as the diving and snokeling.

We spent a little time in Belize City, and were fortunate to have a local to guide us around. I'm not sure we would spend any time there on our own- pretty rough neighborhoods. But we had very little time anyway so it made no difference.

We will likely go back in the future.

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 101-250 dives
Where else diving Grand Turk, Cozumel, Bonaire, Grand Cayman, Maui
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather cloudy, dry Seas choppy
Water Temp 79-81°F / 26-27°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 60-80 Ft/ 18-24 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions Max 50 minutes bottom time. Depth usually <75'
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

Sharks 1 or 2 Mantas 1 or 2
Dolphins Schools Whale Sharks None
Turtles > 2 Whales None
Corals 5 stars Tropical Fish 4 stars
Small Critters 4 stars Large Fish 3 stars
Large Pelagics 3 stars

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subject Matter N/A Boat Facilities N/A
Overall rating for UWP's N/A Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments [None]
Was this report helpful to you?
Leave a comment (Subscribers only -- 200 words max)
Subscribers can comment here
 

Subscribe Now
Subscribers can post comments, ask the reviewer questions, as well as getting immediate and complete access to ALL 475 dive reviews of Belize and all other dive destinations. Complete access to all issues and Chapbooks is also included.

 
Featured Links from Our Sponsors
Interested in becoming a sponsor?
Reef & Rainforest, Let our experience be your guide -- Reef and Rainforest
Reef & Rainforest
is an agency for travelers that like to scuba dive. Want to see the Blue Hole, Caves, Mayan ruins and rainforests? Let us plan your adventure to Belize

Want to assemble your own collection of Belize reports in one place?
Use the Mini Chapbook Facility to create your personalized collection.

Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

Undercurrent Home


Get more dive info like these and other important scuba updates sent monthly to your email.
And a FREE Recent Issue of Undercurrent

Free Undercurrent Issue
Get a free
monthly email and
a sample issue!


Find in  

| Home | Online Members Area | My Account | Login | Join |
| Travel Index | Dive Resort & Liveaboard Reviews | Featured Reports | Recent Issues | Back Issues |
| Dive Gear Index | Health/Safety Index | Environment & Misc. Index | Seasonal Planner | Blogs | Free Articles | Book Picks | News |
| Special Offers | RSS | FAQ | About Us | Contact Us | Links |

Copyright © 1996-2024 Undercurrent (www.undercurrent.org)
3020 Bridgeway, Ste 102, Sausalito, Ca 94965
All rights reserved.

Page computed and displayed in 0.1 seconds