Blackbird Caye Resort enjoys 2 miles of stunning oceanfront setting tucked away within the 400 plus acres of remote jungle on Blackbird Caye. Some 30 miles from Belize City, the caye belongs to Turneffe Atoll which is the second largest reef system in the world. The atoll enjoys unparalleled biodiversity and provides stunning fringing reef that encircles the island; over 70 dive sites lie less than 20 mins away. Stay at Blackbird Caye Resort and access to this stunning underwater playground is quite literally on your doorstep; great wall dives are merely 100ft from shore. Blackbird Caye Resort provides the closest departure point to the world renowned Blue Hole.
Choose Blackbird Caye Resort for your next scuba diving vacation and you will be met at the airport, transferred to the dock and enjoy the one and a half hour cruise to your Caribbean-style island getaway. Twice weekly boat transfers, on Saturdays and Wednesdays, connect Belize City with Blackbird Caye Resort. For something a little special, you could fly instead and enjoy breathtaking views of the atoll and the impossibly blue sparkling water. Your scuba diving travel agent can help you organize this stunning 10-minute flight from Belize City, over the gin-clear waters of the Turneffe Atoll; flights are available on any day and can accommodate up to 12 passengers.
Blackbird Caye Resort is ideal for group holidays, meetings, retreats and weddings and it’s accommodation’s, activities and services reflect this. Thought has been given to providing for groups who have different interests and needs within their party; this means everyone in your group can enjoy the island either from the shore or above or below the ocean’s surface. It also means it’s an excellent choice for those looking for a scuba diving vacation that offers activities for non-divers too.
Accommodation
Tropical simplicity is how Blackbird Caye Resort describes the style of their accommodation. Each room is immaculate and detailed with fresh, bright and colorful Caribbean style.
There are 16 rooms scattered along the water’s edge which offer a variety of options for your stay. Vibrant Caribbean-styled cabanas, thatched rooftops, mahogany cottages, and a triplex cabana, offer you plenty of choice for your island getaway.
Beach Villas offer 800 sq ft of space and have recently been renovated to a luxurious standard. They offer either 2 queen beds or a king bed.
Deluxe cabanas offer an airy, spacious accommodation with a separate bedroom and lounge area which can be converted for sleeping in as well; this is a good option for families. These cabins are just steps from the beach and surrounded by tropical gardens.
Superior cabanas, located right on the beach, have spectacular views of the reef and can be configured with a king size or two queen sized beds. These romantic cabins feature a lounge area too and offer peace and privacy.
The Triplex Cabana offers individual rooms with a shared screened porch. It can accommodate four and six persons respectively and is ideal for families and groups of friends.
Whichever you choose, you’re sure to be able to relax on a hammock and enjoy soaking up the vibe from your screened in veranda. Each accommodation features both air-conditioning and ceiling fans, but most guests find their rooms are adequately cooled by the trade winds.
Dining
Three meals a day are included in your package and are prepared by local chefs and served in the Palapa-style restaurant. The chef sends out scrumptious appetizers during happy hour each evening.
Supplementary light refreshments, snacks, and finger food can be purchased poolside too. Breakfast is served from 7 am, and lunch from 1 pm, both are buffet style. In the evening, your choice of two entrees are served to your table. Expect to be able to sample both local and international flavors as well as freshly caught fish. Local produce arrives from Belize’s markets weekly to ensure fresh and flavorful dishes.
The High Tide Bar serves refreshing cocktails, wine, beer and local mixes and showcases spectacular views to enjoy them with. Round off each day with a refreshing happy hour treat while taking in the incredible sunset.
Other Facilities
The resort offers snorkeling and kayaking packages. Two dedicated 1-hour snorkeling trips operate daily, morning and afternoon, and your inclusive snorkel package allows you to take advantage of some of the best snorkeling the world’s oceans have to offer. Lessons can be provided for beginners; calm, crystal clear water and shallow reefs combine to provide comfortable conditions whatever your experience.
The area is home to the world’s largest manatee population; don’t miss these gentle giants.
No previous experience is required to take advantage of the kayaking package. Morning, afternoon and full day trips visit snorkeling locations, explore the mangroves, uninhabited cayes and take in a flavor of island life. Dolphins make their home in these waters so keep a keen eye out for these playful pelagics.
On Blackbird Caye exploring the island means a little more than just locating the cocktail bar. Wander along jungle footpaths, learn about tropical plants and revel in seemingly endless deserted beaches. This island’s natural wonders include mangroves too; discover the island’s crocodile population and spot many of the islands 75 species of bird. A trip to Half Moon Caye to the observation tower allows guests to view the active booby bird rookery high above the jungle canopy.
Complimentary stand-up paddle boards, as well as the kayaks, enable you to explore and keep fit and if you still have the energy to spend, you can challenge your fellow Caribbean castaways to beach volleyball.
Diving
Turneffe Atoll is 28 miles long and 8 miles wide and provides scuba divers with more than 70 dive sites dotted around more than 50 miles of fringing reef and over 100 cayes. Twenty of these sites lie within 15 mins boat journey from the resort which means you spend more time underwater than on the boat. From Blackbird Caye Resort, fringing reef starts just beyond the shoreline and gives way to miles of spectacular wall dives which are home to a kaleidoscope of tropical fish, swirling fishy silver vortexes, colorful sponges, and delicate fans. The incredible biodiversity is bound to fill your dive log, and the stunning visibility will dazzle.
Weekly trips to explore Belize’s Blue Hole leave on Tuesdays. The island is ideally located to ensure your trip to explore the magnificence of this site is one of the shortest possible. Explored by Jacques Cousteau and listed in his top 10 sites, the 408ft deep circular hole was created by the collapse of a cave. Dip below the surface to 130ft to observe the submerged formations and stalactites. Bull and Caribbean sharks patrol the shallows offer you plenty of action on your extended safety stop. Day trips to Half Moon Caye, and the Aquarium are also available and, like the trip to the Blue Hole, are complemented with a tasty beach BBQ. Both, the Blue Hole and Half Moon Caye are included in the dive packages.
The dive team offers introductory dive experiences as well as entry level courses for those wanting to get their fins wet for the first time. The dive center operates four boats up to 50ft long, all fully equipped for diving and comfort. A range of gear is available for hire, and whether you hire or bring your own, you’ll only set up your equipment once. The team takes care of ensuring your equipment is set up and ready to go for each dive and also rinsed and cared for while you concentrate on relaxing.
Click here for more information about scuba diving in Belize.