The 12-acre Turneffe Atoll is the largest and closest to mainland Belize. It stretches for some 30 miles, 10 miles wide and is surrounded by a fertile marine ecosystem. The site is at sea level, with surrounding land elevated to approximately 1 to 2 feet. Turneffe Atoll consists mostly of a shallow saline lagoon, mangroves, savanna, sea grass and reef. Beach is almost non-existent here.
Both the fishing and diving are excellent.
A network of flats, creeks, and lagoons dotted by literally hundreds of mangrove islands runs throughout the shallow interior of the Turneffe Atoll. It makes for a natural nursery to millions of exotic fish, baitfish, crabs, shrimp, and other small aquatics, serving as the first link in the undersea food chain that supports the most abundant marine life in the Caribbean. Other types of tropical marine life commonly viewed include eagle rays, playful dolphins, turtles, huge green morays, giant jewfish, nurse sharks, reef sharks, trunkfish, grouper, snapper, permit and horse-eye jacks. Investigations have also revealed that it harbours a healthy population of approximately 200 to 300 salt water American Crocodiles. Besides the crocodiles it is also an important feeding and calving ground for bottlenose dolphins (approximately 150-200), which are common to the lagoon and shallow reefs.
The atoll has a scattering of fishing camps, some of which are permanently occupied, and some of which are used only on a seasonal basis. At peak times, when combined with tourists and researchers, approximately 300 people inhabit the atoll.
There are 3 tourist lodges on the atoll, Blackbird Caye Resort, Turneffe Flats and Turneffe Island Lodge. The coast guard also has a permanent base on the atoll. Two of the resorts do offer sports fishing of world repute. The southern end of the atoll, known as The Elbow is a commonly used dive site and there are several other less popular dive locations around Turneffe.
Turneffe features spectacular
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