turneffe_mapThe 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. — {mprestriction ids=”1″} 

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 spectaculardiving suitable for every level of diver. Along the western reef line north of the Elbow, novice divers can feel comfortable on shallow reefs, removed from the steep and deep walls so typical elsewhere. A varied terrain, wrecks and an abundance of marine life make the eastern reefs on Turneffe’s southern end sensational for seasoned divers. Current and walls make the diving here challenging but great for finding large pelagics.  Most established dive sites are limited to the southern end, but there is enough here for several weeks of diving.

Sponges of every shape and color are intermingled with Black Coral dominating the scenery with schools of snapper, grunts, spadefish and jacks milling about.  The marine life at Turneffe makes the scuba diving an adventure like no other dive destination in the Caribbean. The vastness and variety of marine life and coral formations are truly unmatched.

The islands on Turneffe have been recognized for over three decades as one of the Caribbean’s top destinations for bonefish, tarpon and permit as well as a long list of other saltwater game fish. Saltwater anglers thrill in the challenge of chasing the difficult, prestigious “Grand Slam”- catching a bonefish, permit and tarpon all in one day.

There are no stores located on this atoll, or for that matter on any of the atolls, nor is there any petrol to purchase.  The resorts are self-sufficient.  Turneffe Island Lodge does not care for visitors and will not entertain any request for using their facilities in any way.  Turneffe Flats on the other hand, if given enough notice will cater to fishing.  Their restaurant and bar is still pretty much out of bounds.  There is one active private airstrip located at Blackbird Caye Resort, but their landing fees is US$500.00 per landing when quoted in 2011.

The buoys are directly over dive sites, but most buoys are too small for the regular yachts.  Extreme care needs to be taken not to drop anchor in corals nor your anchor chain to lie in corals.

Blackbird Caye Resort
http://www.blackbirdresort.com/

They remain closed for about six months of the year, the low season.
Blackbird Caye Resort is owned and operated by Belizean, Michael Fienstein.

Oceanic Society
http://www.oceanicsociety.org

Oceanic Society Field Station is operated more as a field station than a resort, though they do support their operations with guests who come to study the bottle nose dolphins, manatees and crocodiles.  They are American owned and operated, though they claim to be a non profit organization.

Turneffe Island Lodge
http://www.turnefferesort.com/index.php?id=7
Turneffe Island Lodge is owned and operated by owners of the Marriott chain.
The Lodge is located on the southern tip of Turneffe Atoll.

Turneffe Flats
coordinates:  N 17 25 44.45 – W 87 48 37.50
http://www.tflats.com/

Turneffe Flats is located on the Northeastern side of the Turneffe Atoll on a private point with white sandy beach, great vistas and a wadeable bonefish flat right outside the door.  To my knowledge Turneffe Flats principal shareholder and resident manager is Mr. Craig Hayes from South Dakota.

turneffe_flats
Turneffe Flats

Just north of Turneffe Flats there is sufficient water for a yacht with a draft of 10 feet to anchor in sheltered harbour inside the reef.  We have seen both Royal Eagle (10 feet) and Il Chigno (3.2 meter) anchor in sheter under the reef at 17 18.055N  87 48.274W, info courtesy of Dominic Armistead, Captain of Il Cigno.  For anchoring here though we would recommend using the services of a guide who is familiar with the area.  Be cautious as most guides are familiar with a 4 to 5 feet draft vessel, but a yacht with 10 feet or more  will be out of the league of many a guide.


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