Belize Turneffe Flats Scuba Resort

The Scuba Diving is done from three 31 ft. custom-built Ocean Masters with twin 200 HP outboards and our Pro 48 ft. With a limited number of divers each week the fast, comfortable, shaded boats allow easy access to the entire Turneffe Atoll as well as the Lighthouse Atoll, which is less than one hour from the lodge.

Scuba Diving in Belize: Turneffe Atoll, Lighthouse Reef

Belize consistently ranks among the top Caribbean dive destinations and Turneffe Flats is ideally located to take advantage of some of the best scuba diving in Belize. Over 60 dive sites around the Turneffe Atoll where divers are within easy reach to dive the Lighthouse Atoll, the famous Blue Hole; both dive sites are only an hour`s boat ride away.

As the largest coral atoll in the Caribbean, Turneffe offers varied underwater dive terrain of spur and groove formations, sandy ledges and sheer walls providing spectacular dive sites to suit every level of diver.

The Eastern, windward side of Turneffe is protected by 35 miles of reef. It shelves gradually to about 60 ft. where spur and groove formations meet the wall.  Nutrients produced in the mangroves are dispersed on the reef by the tides and gentle currents causing huge concentrations of feeding fish on this side of the wall.

Weather & Visibility
Surface temperatures generally range from 75-95 degrees (average 84 degrees). Water temperatures average 79-80 degrees in the Winter and 83 degrees in the Summer. Visibility ranges from 50 - 100 feet depending upon conditions. Average visibility is around 75 - 80 feet.

Scuba Instruction 
Scuba Instruction is available at Turneffe Flats through PADI dive instructors. Certification courses include Open Water Referral, Advanced Open Water Certification, and Specialty Courses. A "Resort Course" is also available for those who wish to experience SCUBA for the first time. This course requires a few hours of instruction prior to a limited number of shallow, supervised dives. 

Scuba Equipment
Tanks, weights and weight belts are provided by Turneffe Flats. We recommend that you bring your own personal dive gear. In order to maximize bottom time, we also recommend that you utilize a dive computer. Unless you are very warm blooded, we recommend a 3mm wet suit or at least a dive skin.

Rentals 
The resort has BC`s, regulators, and dive computers available to rent at the lodge. They do not have wet suits or dive skins to rent at the resort. Cylumes are provided for your tanks during the night dive, but you do need to bring your own dive light.

Fishing
Turneffe Flats also offers some of the best catch and release "flats" fishing in the world. Fishing is done on the flats and anglers are rarely seen by divers. All fish are released unharmed.

Snorkeling
There are many wonderful snorkeling areas on Turneffe which can be enjoyed in between dives.

Main Lodge
The social center for Turneffe Flats is the newly remodeled and expanded main lodge building where meals are served. A pre-dinner gathering for hors d`oeuvres and drinks is customary. The large breezy verandah is a wonderful place to enjoy the tropical evening.

Guest Rooms 
The large, comfortable guest rooms are located on the beach with a panoramic view of the reef and Caribbean Sea. CENTRAL AIR-CONDITIONING is standard in all rooms. Each room is furnished with one queen size bed and one single bed. All rooms have private baths with two sinks and a shower.

Meals
Meals are a tasty combination of Belizean and American dishes served family-style. Fresh fruit, fresh seafood and fresh baked pastries are standard fare. You will be awakened at 6:15 a.m. with fresh coffee or tea served on your verandah. A hearty breakfast of fresh fruit, cereal, eggs, pancakes, bacon, sausage and fresh baked goods is served from approximately 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. Management will have talked with you the prior evening about whether you prefer to take lunch or return to the lodge for lunch. Lunch at the resort is a fairly substantial meal. Hors d`oeuvres and cocktails are served at 6:30. Dinner at 7:00 is the big meal of the day and the focal point of the evening. Entrees vary among seafood, chicken, pork and beef.

Bar
The bar is well stocked with Scotch, Bourbon, Gin, Rum, Vodka, Tequila, Vermouth, several liqueurs, among others. In addition, we have red & white wine as well as local Belikin beer.

Shopping
The resort has a nice gift shop stocked mostly with Belizean and Guatemalan items.

Power
Turneffe Flats is operated with diesel generators, which supply 110/220V AC. Generators run around the clock but are not within hearing distance of guest rooms.

Water
Water at Turneffe Flats is supplied primarily by rainwater collection and desalinization. You can safely drink water from any of the taps at the lodge.

Dress
Dress at the lodge is casual, and there is no need for formal clothing.

Travel
DO NOT FORGET YOUR PASSPORT. A valid passport (for at least 6 months) is required to enter Belize. We recommend that you carry your basic fishing and/or diving gear, a change of clothing and your necessary personal items such as medications in your carry-on bag.

Currency
U.S. currency is easily exchanged in Belize at a rate of $2 BZE for $1 U.S., and you do not need to exchange money before leaving the U.S. Large U.S. bills ($50`s and $100`s) are difficult to break, and we suggest that you bring smaller bills. Other currencies should be exchanged for Belizean dollars or U.S. dollars prior to traveling to Belize. Travelers Checks are fine. Major Credit Cards are accepted in Belize City, as well as at Turneffe Flats. Turneffe Flats also accepts personal checks drawn on U.S. banks.

Arrival
Upon arrival at Belize International Airport, you will clear Customs and exit the airport. A representative of Turneffe Flats will meet you outside of Customs. You will then be driven to the Princess International Hotel Marina to meet the boat for the trip to Turneffe Flats.

Belize City 
The boat leaves the marina on Saturday afternoon. If for any reason you miss the boat, you will need to stay in Belize City Saturday night and catch our boat from the Princess International Marina at 8:00 A.M. Sunday. Please proceed to the Princess International desk to make arrangements to spend Saturday night. Plan to be at the marina with your luggage by 7:30 A.M. Sunday morning. The cost of meals and lodging in Belize City is not covered in your Turneffe Flats package, and you will need to settle your hotel bill when checking out.

Boat Trip to Turneffe
The boat trip to Turneffe Flats takes approximately 90 minutes in our Pro 48 ft. boat. You will travel through several offshore cayes, the Barrier Reef, and then across the Turneffe Islands to Turneffe Flats.