TURNEFFE FLATS LODGE
Things to Do
Explore the wonders and beauty of the Turneffe Atoll at your own pace. Snorkel, bird watch, or pursue a number of other fun and informative activities. If you feel like it, stay at the lodge and lounge on our beach. Every day offers a great new adventure and a perfect opportunity to relax - that's what our Atoll Adventure is all about.
Choose from a variety of daily guided activities led by one of our Atoll Adventure guides, all of whom are informative and fun. Our twin-engine, canopied boat is at your guide's disposal for exploring the reefs, mangroves, creeks and lagoons that make Turneffe the largest and most biologically diverse atoll in the Caribbean.
Besides Fishing, Diving is the primary activity for many guests to jump directly to the diving section below click here.
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With at least 60 species of birds at Turneffe, birding is another highlight. You may also want to tour the atoll searching for manatees and dolphins or enjoy an afternoon kayaking. Our Atoll Adventure Program is a very flexible and is tailored to fit the particular interests of each group. Of course, exploring the 300 square mile Turneffe Atoll can, itself, be an adventure. Turneffe has a fascinating history, including Mayan fishing and trading settlements dating to 400 A.D. Turneffe was also a favored hideout for Blackbeard, one of the notorious pirates of the Caribbean. For most guests, learning about the history of Turneffe as well as the fascinating history of Belize is one of the more enjoyable parts of their visit. |
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Our Atoll Adventure guide is Abelino "Abel" Coe. Abel was born and raised in a Maya community in Southern Belize and his first language was Maya. Abel is an avid student of Maya history as well as the rest of Belize's history. Days with Abel are informative and fun. He knows the flora and fauna of Turneffe intimately and is very adept and finding all of the interesting things. Abel is an excellent snorkeler and makes all guests feel comfortable visiting the underwater wonders at Turneffe. |
Our Atoll Adventure Tours are described below.
You can expect to see a wide variety of tropical reef fishes, rays, sea turtles, lobsters,
dolphins and possibly even a manatee. While snorkeling, you will always be accompanied
by our Atoll Adventure Guide who is a master at helping even novice snorkelers feel
comfortable in the water. He will make sure that your equipment fits and will teach you
the best snorkeling techniques. He knows where to find all of the interesting creatures
and will ensure that you make the most of your snorkeling adventures.
Take a boat ride around the Atoll in search of Bottlenose & possibly Spotted Dolphins.
Pods of dolphins cruise the shallow water using their sonar system to hunt for fish &
crustaceans buried in the sand. They are sometimes attracted by the sound of the engine
and will suddenly pop up alongside the boat to have a look at you.
Turneffe is an important location for West Indian Manatees which grow to 1,300 lbs
and trundle along the sea grass beds browsing on vegetation. Their only living relative
is the elephant and they still have toenails on their front flippers even though their
back-end has evolved into a powerful spatulate tail. These shy creatures, usually a
single male or a mother and her calf, can be seen in the creeks around the Atoll.
Just inside the fringe reef along the seaward side of the atoll are miles of shallow,
gin clear flats. This is the area where fly fishing anglers search for bonefish and permit,
and the "flats" are alive with sea creatures of all sorts. With a discerning eye
and the aid of your guide, you will likely see schools of bonefish, permit, trunk
(box) fish, barracudas, small rays, snappers and even small sharks. In the surf
you can sometimes see large Parrot Fish or Trigger Fish with their backs half
out of the water. The flats are covered with turtle grass, which is a key habitat
for many species of juvenile fish, and the flats are also vital in protecting the coral
reef by acting as a sediment filter.
Approximately 60 species have been identified on the Turneffe Atoll. The following are fairly commonly seen are: The Snowy Egret, Little Blue Heron, Great Blue Heron, Tricolored Heron, Yellow-crowned Night Heron, Clapper Rail, Mangrove Swallow, Brown Pelican, Magnificent Frigatebird, Double-crested Cormorant, Osprey, Mangrove Warbler, Great tailed Grackle, Goldenfronted Woodpecker, Tropical Mockingbird, Cinnamon Hummingbird, Great Breasted Mango, White Crowned Pigeon and Royal Tern.
Seen on occasion are: The Belted Kingfisher, White-eyed Vireo, Northern Waterthrush, Barn Swallow, Perigrine Falcon, Merlin, Common Yellowthroat, Bay Breasted Warbler, Red-eyed Vireo, Palm Warbler, Cape May Warbler, Eastern Wood Pewee, Summer Tanager, Brown Booby, Yucatan Vireo, Hooded Oriole, American Redstart, Least Tern and the Roseate Tern.
In several sandy areas around the atoll, you can snorkel above huge Cushion
Sea Stars, varying in color from pale yellow to burgundy red. If you wish to add
to your seashell collection, there are opportunities to walk the shores of the many
small cayes on the Atoll to search for a variety of shells that wash up with each
tide. Conch fishing is a vital part of the commercial fishing economy at Turneffe
and there are thousands of discarded Queen Conch shells to choose from. In
addition, you may find exokeletons of Long Spined Sea urchins and intact West
Indian Sea Eggs.
The Turneffe Atoll is one of the largest remaining nesting areas in the Caribbean for the docile and threatened American Crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus). Join our Adventure Guide for a leisurely boat ride around the mangrove islands for the opportunity to see these crocodiles in their natural habitat. You are likely to see crocs sunning themselves or swimming in isolated lagoons. Additionally, you will see crocodile nests and possibly baby crocodiles. Unlike the Australian and African Crocodiles, the American Crocodile eats mostly fish and is very timid. When approached while sunning on the shore, they run for the safety of the water and submerge. Your Adventure Leader also conducts a weekly 'Crocodile Hunt' where we slowly motor through the lagoons by flashlight looking for the red glow of crocodile eyes.
Spend part of a day in the kitchen with one of our cooks learning how to prepare empanadas, tortillas or garnaches the Belizean way. This is more than a cooking class; it is a culture class. You will go home with recipes and fond memories.
The Maya and Turneffe
Your guide Abel, a Kek'chi Maya, grew up in a Maya village in Southern Belize and will explain the history of the Maya in Belize as well as the traditions and beliefs of the Maya culture. His knowledge and ability to share it is something special.
Several Maya fishing villages have been identified on the Turneffe Atoll dating to 400 A.D. Turneffe was clearly part of the intricate trade routes of the Maya and artifacts from Turneffe indicate that they traded goods with peoples as far away as Guatemala.
Belize is thought to have been at the center of the Maya civilization, which was at its peak from 900 B.C. to 900 A.D. Today the Maya make up approximately 11% of the population of Belize with several villages still speaking one of the three Maya languages as their first language. Learn about the three Maya groups inhabiting Belize - the Yucatec, the Mopan & the Kek'chi Maya. If you are lucky, you may run across a Maya artifact or two.
Lighthouse Atoll - Snorkeling & Birding Tour
Conditions allowing, you will have an opportunity to spend the day at the southern end of the Lighthouse Atoll. Your first stop will be The Great Blue Hole. This amazing structure was formed millions of years ago when the roof an underground cave collapsed. Now, the cave is filled with seawater and forms a circular hole 1000ft in diameter and 480 ft deep. This is primarily a scuba diving attraction but the coral edges provide a unique and wonderful snorkeling experience.
Next, you will visit Half Moon Caye. This small caye was established as a Crown Reserve in 1928 and became the first Marine Reserve in Belize. Here a colony of Red-footed Booby birds nest in the tops of the Zericote trees. Whereas the Red-footed boobies in the Galapagos and other parts of the world have brown plumage, almost all of these 4000 birds display the rare white color phase.
The Magnificent Frigatebird, with a 7ft wingspan also shares this rookery. Since they cannot land on water, they mostly feed by harassing the returning boobies until they drop their catch. Some 98 other species of birds have been documented on the caye including Ospreys, Great Tailed Grackles, Cinnamon Hummingbirds and White-crowned pigeons.
If you feel like some additional exercise, you can kayak the 1000 yards to the shipwreck of the Ermlund. The wreckage of this vessel sits on the top of the reef where it was deposited during a storm in 1971.
After a picnic lunch under the shade of the palm trees we set off for Long Caye, to snorkel 'The Aquarium'. Here you watch from above as divers feed thousands of Bermuda Chub, Sergeant Majors and Yellowtail Snappers with leftover bread.
If we are lucky, a large pod of Common Dolphin or Spinner Dolphin will escort us part of the way back to Turneffe Flats.
Mangroves are the backbone of Turneffe, as well as all coastal marine habitats. They provide essential nursery habitat for a diverse community of fishes and are the nutritional backbone for the entire ecosystem. In addition, they provide a protective barrier for storms and help protect the coral reef. The predominant mangroves at Turneffe are Red Mangroves but stands of Black and White Mangroves are present as well. Take a peek into this fascinating world by snorkeling amongst the juvenile snappers, grunts, lobsters and even nurse sharks & turtles. This will make you understand the vital nature of these plants to our coastal marine environment.
After dark the ocean comes alive allowing snorkelers to see many things that can't be witnessed during the daylight. Snorkel with your Adventure Guide from our dock and explore the coral reef by flashlight! Your guide will point out the intriguing creatures that prefer the night shift such as Octopus, Caribbean Squid, Tiger Tail Sea Cucumbers, Squirrel Fish and Slipper Lobsters. See the coral come alive with their polyps wafting in the current, actively feeding on the plankton which glows and sparkles with bioluminescent light. This tour is great fun and allow you to appreciate the most active period for many marine creatures.
To some extent, this is the culmination of several tours. Its combination of healthy coral reef, back reef flats, extensive sea grass beds and mangroves make Turneffe the largest and most biologically diverse atoll in the Caribbean.
The Turneffe Atoll is one of only three coral atolls in the Caribbean - two others (Lighthouse Atoll and Glover's Atoll) are located in Belize and the fourth is in Southern Mexico. Formation of these coral atolls was accomplished through years of coral buildup rather than by volcanic activity - the more common mechanism of atoll formation. The entire Atoll is surrounded by a fringe coral reef with waters inside the reef varying from less than a foot deep to 30 feet in depth. Ocean depths around the atoll are thought to reach 9000 feet.
Approximately 30 miles long and 10 miles across, Turneffe has evolved as a model coastal marine ecosystem. This involves the following intimately interrelated habitats; the coral reef, the back reef flats, the sea grass beds, the mangroves and the littoral forest. During you visit you will learn how all of these varied habitats are interrelated and interdependent. You will learn what is required to sustain healthy coral reefs, the functions of the back reef flats, the importance of healthy sea grass beds and the reasons that mangroves are vital to the entire ecosystem.
In the end, we hope that you will agree that the unique and special environment of the Turneffe Atoll warrants protection from treats such as over-fishing, over-development and improper development that have decimated much of the coastal ecology in other parts of the world.
A mainland tour is optional. If you wish to do a mainland tour you will go to Belize City on our supply day (Tuesday or Wednesday), meet with one of the best tour guides in Belize and visit a Mayan Ruin, the Belize Zoo, or the rain forest. The mainland tour is an additional expense, which is paid directly to the tour operator. Costs depend upon the tour chosen, but usually range from $50-$75/person.
Before or after your guided activities, take one of our sea kayaks out for a better look at the surroundings and enjoy the marine life close at hand. While getting some exercise, you can explore the creeks that wind amongst the mangrove islands, and the myriad of marine life inhabiting the "flats" including boxfish, stingrays and bonefish. Take your snorkeling gear with you and take a dip when you need to cool off or take a closer look at the marine life.
Have you ever wondered about SCUBA Diving? During your stay, you may want to spend half a day learning about and experiencing the excitement of SCUBA Diving. Our Dive Instructors offer this introductory course which consists of basic SCUBA instruction followed by two shallow dives. There is an additional charge of $100 plus 8% Sales Tax for this course.
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Mask, fins, snorkel* *These are not available for rent |
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Belize consistently ranks among the top Caribbean dive destinations and Turneffe Flats is situated in the center of Belize' best diving. Our location on the Eastern side of the Turneffe Atoll provides easy access to over 60 dive sites on all sides of Turneffe as well as Lighthouse Reef, home of the famous Blue Hole. |
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As the largest coral atoll in the Caribbean, Turneffe offers varied underwater 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. |
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On the West side of the Atoll, the mangroves of Turneffe provide shelter from the swells and large waves. A gently sloping bottom lies at 30-50ft and large reef formations cover the white sand bottom. The reduced wave action allows sponges and soft corals to grow magnificently and sea feathers of 5ft tall are common. At Crickozeen Cut, predatory Trumpetfish camouflage themselves among the sea fans and a myriad of damselfish and parrotfish graze on algae, keeping the coral clean & healthy. Spiny Lobsters are commonly found under ledges and Creole wrasse aggregate and spawn in their thousands around the full moon in summer. In the North, the reef is buffeted by the Caribbean swells and trade winds but on the calmest of days we can explore these almost untouched areas. Schools of Mutton Snapper, Atlantic Spadefish and Permit hover 80ft above the sea floor and Blue and Rainbow Runners make close passes, apparently attracted by the bubbles of the strange 'neoprene-clad creatures'. Throughout the Turneffe Atoll, you will see a variety of hard and soft corals as well as all of the Caribbean tropicals, eagle rays, sharks, turtles, dolphins, moray eels, and occasionally whale sharks in addition to large schools of permit, horse eye jacks and dog snapper. |
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At Turneffe Flats we emphasize personalized service, flexibility and uncrowded diving. Small dive groups of 4 - 8 divers are the norm. Upon arrival at Turneffe Flats our dive staff will assist you with setting up your dive gear, and you will not have to handle your tanks or personal gear during the remainder of your trip. Our excellent dive staff will make sure that your gear is rinsed and fully set up for the following day's diving. |
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A typical dive day at Turneffe Flats starts after breakfast with three dives planned for the day. Three dives per day plus a weekly night dive are standard. Our dive package also includes a day trip to Lighthouse Reef to dive the famous Blue Hole, Half Moon Wall and Long Caye.
Personalized Service We specialize in providing personalized service for small dive groups and try to be as flexible as possible. New divers can gain experience with the individual attention they may require and experienced divers can enjoy the freedom of spectacular wall diving, drift diving and underwater photography opportunities. We provide towels, cold drinks and fresh fruit on the boat each day as well as a fresh water rinse tank for camera equipment. Unless you request otherwise, you do not have to handle your dive equipment during your stay. Our staff will change all tanks and rinse your gear each day before storing it.
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Most diving is done from our Pro 48 Custom Dive Boat. This is a large, comfortable, shaded boat allowing us easy access to the entire Turneffe Atoll as well as the Lighthouse Reef.
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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 at Turneffe ranges from 50 - 100 feet depending upon conditions. Average visibility is around 75 - 80 feet.
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Instruction is available at Turneffe Flats through our PADI Instructors. Certifications include Open Water Referral and Advanced Open Water Certification (Underwater Navigation, Deep Diving and 3 elective dives) as well as a full range of Specialty Courses. 'Discover Scuba Courses' are also available for those who wish to experience SCUBA for the first time.
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Dive Safety Your safety is of the utmost importance to Turneffe Flats. For this reason, and to ensure that you see the best of the marine life, a qualified Divemaster or Instructor is in the water at all times. We use the buddy system, conduct safety stops on every dive and plan adequate surface intervals between dives. Our staff are First Aid & Oxygen First Aid trained and we are affiliated with Subaquatic Safety Services who operate the Hyperbaric Chamber in Belize.
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Dive Staff Juan Vasquez, our head Dive Master, leads most of our dives. He was born and raised in Scotland Half Moon, a small town in Belize, where his parents still reside. Juan is personable, experienced and safety oriented with a great sense of humor. He began his diving career five years ago at Turneffe Flats and hopes to become a Dive Instructor. He takes great pride in making your dive trip unforgetable and has an incredible eye for the elusive, minuscule and camouflaged creatures hiding on the reef.
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Tanks, weights and weight belts are provided by Turneffe Flats. To maximize your bottom time, we recommend that you use a dive computer. The very warm-blooded are comfortable with a lycra dive skin or a shorty wet suit, but a 3mm wetsuit is generally advisable for multiple dives.
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Rentals We have limited rental equipment available at the lodge including BC's, regulators, and dive computers. We do not rent wet suits or dive skins. Cylumes are provided for your tanks during the night dive, but you will need to bring a dive light.
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Some of Our Favorite Dive Sites ... The Eastern, windward side of Turneffe is protected by 35 miles of reef. It shelves gradually for 100 yards to about 60ft where the spur and groove formations meet the wall. The 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 atoll. The Chutes off Calabash Caye, is approx. 50-ft deep along the top of the wall. It is good for Pelagic encounters and taking wide angle photographs with a huge sand flat that is home to Garden Eels and Yellowhead Jawfish. Wide chutes lead to a wall covered with yellow tube sponges, purple sea whips and brain coral. Here we often find Hawksbill turtles, Spotted Drum, Scrawled Cowfish and Spotted Morays.
On the West side of the islands, the mangroves of Turneffe provide shelter from the swells and large waves. A gently sloping bottom lies at 30-50ft and large reef formations cover the white sand bottom. The reduced wave action allows sponges and soft corals to grow magnificently and sea feathers of 5ft tall are common. At Crickozeen Cut, predatory Trumpetfish camouflage themselves among the sea fans and a myriad of damselfish and parrotfish graze on algae, keeping the coral clean & healthy. Spiny Lobsters are commonly found under ledges and Creole wrasse aggregate and spawn in their thousands around the full moon in summer.
In the North, the reef is buffeted by the Caribbean swells and trade winds but on the calmest of days we can explore these almost untouched areas. Schools of Mutton Snapper, Atlantic Spadefish and Permit hover 80ft above the sea floor and Blue and Rainbow Runners make close passes, apparently attracted by the bubbles of the strange 'neoprene-clad creatures'.
The Elbow is a popular advanced drift dive located at Turneffe's most southern point. The reef crests at 80 ft and is very wide and exposed with a current that generally flows from the north at about 2 knots. Due to this current and the site's depth, most of the dive is spent in mid-water. Visibility is typically 100ft and large schools of pelagic fish such as dog snappers, horse-eye jacks, permit and Atlantic spadefish aggregate here. In the canyons below, large groupers, turtles and Balloonfish can be seen amongst enormous gorgonians, and out in the blue, the occasional sharks and Spotted Eagle Rays add to the excitement of this dive. A pod of dolphins live close by and will often come to play with the divers while they are on their safety stop.
Lindsey's Back Porch is where you can drift slowly through a garden of gorgonian fans and sea plumes at 45ft and see an abundance of butterflyfish, angelfish, blue tang, surgeonfish and parrotfish. As the reef divides into narrow fingers that run down to the wall edge, the coral ledges provide the perfect home for the Whitespotted toadfish, found only in Belize. Hawksbill turtles amble over the reef, feeding on algae and sponges and Nurse Sharks can be found rummaging for mollusks & shellfish in the sand.
Baker's Drop in front of the lodge, shelves gently towards the wall at about 50ft reef. Colonies of thin leaf lettuce coral provide shelter for the juvenile Rock Beauty and Spotted Eagle Rays are often seen in pairs, cruising in the blue.
The Terrace consists of narrow spur and groove formations, with an abundance of soft corals, Barrel sponges and Tube sponges. The top of the wall averages 35-40ft and the sheer drop is covered with huge sponges, black coral and gorgonian fans. Thousands of schooling Creole Wrasse, many varieties of Hamlets and the Whitelined Toadfish can often be found here.
Rendezvous Cut is a wide sandy expanse, dotted with pristine coral heads and frequented by Furry Sea Cucumbers and giant Queen Conch. Approaching the wall at about 30ft, the reef forms canyons, grottos and sandy chutes which run away to the blue. A great dive site for spotting reef tropicals such as French & Queen Angelfish, White Spotted Filefish and Juvenile Spotted Drum.
Wonderworld is a site just north of us and is comprised of many large coral formations that drop dramatically from a depth of 65ft. The site's topography allows for swimming around and between the coral heads to look for sleeping nurse sharks, Southern stingrays and Green Moray Eels. A pod of Bottlenose Dolphin sometimes appear and seem to enjoy 'buzzing' the divers as they desperately try to take photographs.
A colorful array of Yellow tube sponges, Azure vase sponges and huge barrel sponges await you at Tubular Barrels. Several 'cleaning stations' dot the reef and big groupers and snappers settle down to be picked clean by neon gobies, Pederson Cleaner shrimp and juvenile Bluehead Wrasse.
Spotted Eagle Rays, Black Grouper and Great Barracuda are common visitors to divers at Pelican Wall. Caribbean reef sharks and even Hammerheads have been seen cruising in the deep blue over a horizontal ledge 150ft below. At Sayonara, the remains of the former passenger & cargo boat rest on the sand at a depth of 50 ft, having been decommissioned and sunk in 1985. To the South and South East of the wreck, large coral formations harbor banded coral shrimp, spiny lobsters and brittle stars. Stoplight parrotfish and French & Queen Angelfish pick amongst the encrusting sponges and large Ocean triggerfish cruise the edge of the wall.
Weather permitting, we take a day trip to the furthest offshore atoll, Lighthouse Reef to visit The Blue Hole, Half Moon Caye and Long Caye. Pioneered by Jaques Yves Cousteau in the early 70's, The Great Blue Hole has become Belize's most famous dive site. The hole is a 'karst-eroded sinkhole' formed when the roof of a cave, in an underground tunnel complex, collapsed. When sea levels rose at the end of the Ice Age, the once dry cave filled with sea water producing the hole that now measures 1000ft across with a depth of over 460ft. It is a Marine Protected Area and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The rim of the Blue Hole and the surrounding lagoon is only a few feet deep and excellent for snorkeling. As you descend over the edge, through a thermocline at 50ft, big Groupers, Snappers and Horse-eye Jacks come to investigate. Deeper still, with your eyes adjusting to the low light, Blacktip sharks can be seen slowly patrolling the depths. At approx.110ft, the first limestone ledge appears and immense Stalactites hang from the ceiling. On your slow ascent back to the edge of the hole, spotted morays can be found in crevices and on the wall crest, you return to the domain of the Parrotfish and Angelfish.
After a picnic lunch on the island of Half Moon Caye and a visit to the Red Footed Bobby Bird Sanctuary [link to AA HMC info?] we head back underwater.
The Cathedral is aptly named, with coral spires and towers that rise up from the seafloor in large segments. Numerous sandy passageways lead you through the coral reef, out to the wall at 45-60ft and into the brilliant blue. Sheet corals cover the wall and soft corals and rope sponges extend several feet. The top of the reef is a breathtaking coral garden and every nook and cranny teems with orange, red & yellow sponges. The sand is home to colonies of Garden Eels and gigantic Southern Stingrays lie in wait with only their eyes protruding. Black groupers, Blue Parrotfish and Hogfish are regulars and Yellowtail snappers escort you throughout your dive.
We tend to finish our day at one of the shallow sites off Long Caye. The Aquarium with its variety of corals, invertebrates and profusion of reef fish is a very good spot for underwater photography. Big coral heads are dominated by mountainous star coral and at a depth of 40 ft Orange Elephant Ear sponges grow out from the wall. Iridescent Azure vase sponges and Blue Bell Tunicates add to the color of this site and Decorator Crabs and Neck Crabs are can be seen clinging to the Sea Fans.
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Your certification card *not available for rent |
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TURNEFFE FLATS LODGE
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