Resort Report: BlackBird Caye Dive Resort

A laid-back out-island escape that's just minutes away from premier dive sites.  That's the appeal of Blackbird Caye, a boutique property that earns consistently high marks from guests and is a top choice for divers wanting to experience the best of Belize diving.

The resort sits on a private island on the east side of Turneffe Atoll, on the cusp of the Great Mesoamerican Reef. Guests are accommodated in 17 free-standing Villas and Cabanas set on a white-sand beach. The setting is idyllically isolated, with coral reefs in front and the vast mangrove and marl shallows of the atoll in the background. But though remote and off-grid, Blackbird Caye provides guests with a full range of creature comforts that include air conditioning, hot showers, an oceanside infinity pool, two beach bars, screened balconies to take in sea breezes and yes, WiFi connectivity for those who just can't fully disconnect.

The resort features a restaurant that incorporates freshly caught seafood and Belizean produce into creatively designed menus. Breakfast and lunch are served buffet style, and dinner is a 3-course plated affair, with the ability to accommodate special diets. Packages include oceanfront accommodations, meals, and 3 dives per day or 2 guided snorkels per day, depending upon the package purchased. Villas and Cabanas provide flexible options for couples and dive buddies with king bed and twin queen bed options, and a three-bedroom Cabana that's ideal for groups traveling together.

The resort provides weekly boat transfers from the Belize mainland, which involves a 1.5-hour ride through coastal mangroves and open water to the resort dock. Blackbird Caye has Turneffe Atoll's only airstrip, allowing for the additional options of private air charters or scenic helicopter flights that can include a fly-over of the famous Great Blue Hole.

Guests at Blackbird Caye have access to more than 70 dive sites on the Great Mesoamerican Reef, including some 20 sites just minutes to a half-hour from the dock, plus excellent snorkeling reefs. The on-island dive shop operates a fleet of four dive boats from 37 to 50 feet long providing daily local morning and afternoon diving and all-day excursions to more distant sites. The shop offers PADI training programs and stocks a full complement of rental equipment. The dive staff provides valet dive services, taking care of all gear transfers, plus ringing, drying and storage, leaving guests free to relax after each dive.

Less than a mile from the shop is Belize's newest dive site, the 375-foot Witconcrete wreck. This intentionally sunk former sugar freighter sits in 90 feet of water and rises to depths of 50 feet, offering wreck diving experiences for both new and experienced divers. Another highlight of a Blackbird Caye dive vacation is a day trip to the Great Blue Hole and Half Moon Caye at the Lighthouse Reef Atoll. The Belize atolls deliver an excellent mix of underwater experiences from shallow reefs and coral grottoes to big walls. Sites showcase more than 65 species of coral and 500-plus types of fish, plus hundreds of invertebrates. And yes, there are sharks.

A list of favorite dive sites was provided by the divemasters at Blackbird Caye. It provides a glimpse at the diversity of underwater experiences awaiting guests.

• Turtle Ridge: Great by day, night, and twilight, this medium-depth dive runs along coral ridges from 30 feet until a sheer drop-off at 65 feet.
• Al’s Hideout: Named after its resident goliath grouper, this craggy wall is also home to big barracudas.
• Runway: Cruise along between 40-50 feet and observe a beautiful display of marine life.
• Blackbird’s Cut: Ranging from 20-70 feet, this dive offers a glimpse at a number of submarine habitats.
• Coliseum: Tall towers of boulder corals form natural pathways to a submerged wall, 60 feet below the surface.
• Stingray’s Motel: Pause on this shallow dive to rest among eagle rays, hawksbill turtles, and more.
• Coral Canyon: Dive down to 35 feet, swim among massive coral formations, and try to spot the native fishes, crabs, lobsters, and tarpon.
• Grouper City: Hang out with groupers during this 50-to-70-foot drift dive.
• The Crabwalk: Reaching a maximum depth of 130 feet, this drift dive gives divers a good chance of spotting crabs and horse-eye jack.
• Little Calabash: Tube and barrel sponges and black coral line a spectacular drop-off. See if you can spot the area’s resident loggerhead turtle.
• Chinaman’s Wall: A medium-depth dive packed with hard and soft corals, Chinaman’s Wall is also loaded with cleaning stations.
• Calabash Cut: Tube, and rope sponges — this medium-depth dive has them all.
• CoCo Point: A steep drop leads to garden eel-inhabited sand patches and impressive coral heads.
• West Side Story: This gently sloping reef is enriched by nearby mangroves.
• The Elbow: It may only be available in calm conditions, but this adventure is worth the wait; weather permitting, this drift dive provides an unbeatable look at pelagic life.

Ready to discover The Belize Atolls for yourself? Caradonna can arrange all the details of a one-week dive vacation at Blackbird Caye, including airfare and other details of travel. Get in touch with one of our expert agents at 800-329-9989 or send a note to sales@caradonna.com.