Blackbird Caye Eco-Resort

PARADISE. A true vacation. Fabulous scenery and beautiful diving. You feel taken care of by the attentive staff. Three dives per day. Excellent meals, and maid service.

Prior to going, I explained some dietary restrictions. Janet made certain that every meal featured at least one entree I could eat, and Kenny served me my special oatmeal (no milk) every day at breakfast. Kenny and Janet made sure that each of us had enough food, and any special dietary restrictions were met. Janet seemed genuinely concerned that we all enjoyed our meals. Kenny was the head chef at a Chinese restaurant, and also had his own restaurant. He makes a great rum punch, too.

The trip to the Blue Hole was terrific, as was the BBQ on Half Moon Caye that followed. The diving was great. We saw lobster, crab, Moray eels, grouper, barracuda, tarpon, 3 types of rays, and tons of other colorful fish and coral. We even snorkeled with dolphins.

The name chart in the Palapa facilitated conversation and the making of new friends. New guests arrive on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Our room was spacious, with a vaulted ceiling, and a separate bathroom. The walls of the bathroom do not go to the ceiling, and sound can travel, but there is a stereo in every room. Bring your mp3 player and an RCA Y-connector, to connect to the AUX inputs. Like most places in the tropics, you will need some bug spray, though the resort tries to reduce to a minimum the mosquito problem. And yes, the resort has a 7 foot crocodile, which showed up at dinner time.

The staff was friendly and helpful, without exception. Joe (Dive Master) and Junior (Boat Captain) were great. Chris led the snorkelers on some great trips. Denis sometimes captained the boat and was second in command of the resort. Hossein had stepped in to run the place on an emergency basis, when Dave left due to a death in the family, but the resort ran like clockwork.

We stayed for 10 days, in August 2004. To quote our famous governor, “I’ll be back!”

Unique Quality: Fabulous SCUBA diving or snorkeling. Sit on your porch, or a hammock or chaise lounge, and gaze past palm trees to the blue Carib. Your cabana is 40-75 feet from the edge of the water.

Directions: Take the Blackbird Caye Resort boat from Belize City to the resort, any Wednesday or Saturday. The boat leaves from the tourist dock.

BLACKBIRD CAYE RESORT, TURNEFF ATOLL, BELIZE

All our needs are met. Our cabins are cleaned daily--helps because of all the sand we inevitably drag in. A water basin outside our door gets most of the sand off our feet.

The staff is friendly and wonderful.
a BEST BUY because food, transportation, diving and the Blue Hole are included. The only thing you pay for are sodas and alcoholic drinks.

Unique Quality: We stayed in large cabanas with sitting area and large bathroom/shower and a great porch with ocean view.