Turneffe Island Resort

This is a top-flight, beautiful place to stay with excellent attention to detail, cleanliness, personal service, and luxury. The diving operation, food and drink service, and housekeeping were all superb. We also loved the eco-friendly systems on site yet out of sight (desalination, solar array, wood and metal shops, its own cell tower--great wifi!).

The accommodations, staff, and experiences were all top notch. Wonderful time. The staff knew our names and served us with enthusiasm and joy making the experience even better. The setting is stunning, the fishing great, the snorkeling beautiful. Will be back.

I cannot imagine a more enjoyable and over the top customer service experience than we had here. Divers, Dive Master Jovan and Captain Jason are a great team. Request them. Small boats and small dive groups. Maybe your boat has a couple of newly certified divers, a couple experienced but rusty fibers, and a couple with 500+ in their logbooks? These guys handle it masterfully. The mgmt team looks after your every nuanced need. Would it be possible to put together a nature boat tour in search of crocs and manatees? Absolutely! We saw 2 scary as hell crocs(a good distance from the resort BTW). While we’re out stalking wildlife, would you like to work in a snorkeling detour over a 100 year old wreck in 12’ of water? Done! Could someone help us figure out how to get ESPN on the one resort TV in the clubhouse to watch our Stars in the Stanley Cup playoffs? Done. Our dining room server, Charles got to know our tendencies and knew what we’d prefer before we did. We’d like to chill in our room this evening. Would it be possible to have dinner in our room? Of course Mr Greg. Would you like the beef tenderloin, or the garlic shrimp? Or perhaps a half Portion of each? I’ll bring it too you shortly. The bar staff Hendry and Fidel are just what you want from a Belizean resort mixology team. This is an honest review from someone with no stake in the property. Ever look at resort websites and wonder if it’s as good as it looks on line? This place is. You know that idyllic video on their website? That is actually what this place is like. It is worth the $!. P.S., Those crocs? They were found at a supposed Turneffe Dive Haven lagoon, a resort with plywood on some windows which looks NOTHING like it does on its website.

The Sunset Villa was a nice upgrade after staying in a Villa for 8-15 years. It's a little quieter and more spacious than a regular villa. We used the plunge pool and lounged in our spacious screened in porch after returning from our dives. The closet is larger with enough space for both my husband and I to unpack with room to spare. If you have not been to TIR, the accommodations vary, but all are well appointed and lovely bedding. The staff is amazing! In short order, everyone knows your name and is very attentive to you having the best vacation on their private island. TIR takes pride in their staff selection, making new additions that add to the positive family vibe. I cannot speak more highly about the quality of experience that TIR staff provides to their guests in every area- housekeeping, kitchen/dining, bartenders, office/management, and especially the diving, fishing, and snorkeling guides. The diving is spectacular! Our first dive we saw 2 spotted eagle rays with a 6 foot wing span, 2 dolphins and a calf, 3 Caribbean reef sharks, green moray eels, spotted toad fish, porcupine fish, spotted moray eel, lobsters, french angel fish, drum fish, banded coral shrimp. Fishing appears to be very challenging! Although permits and Grand Slams happen, it's not easy. It is always a celebration commemorated with a signature and date on the map in the fishing center. During our stay the majority of guests were couples, women or men on celebratory vacations with their friends from many years ago, and a few small families. Families come to TIR especially during spring break and holidays. I don't believe there is enough for kids to do until they are in their mature, later teens. Having said that there was an exception with mature 12 year old during our stay, however, most kids don't understand the etiquette to respect the environment and others while doing activities like snorkeling or in the pool. Nobody wants a baby, a toddler, or a spoiled 10 year old or teen when they are on a private island - leave them at home and take a break/treat yourself! If you wish to not encounter children, avoid all holidays.

We had a great week at Turneffe Island in April 2025. Rooms: We stayed in a cabin not connected any other rooms. There are some two story, quad plexes. We had our own stand alone which we would recommend if budget permits. We did not have a hot tub as some do. The room was great. Charming (and necessary) screened in porch, king bed, fridge, desk, bathroom and outdoor shower. Very charming and would rate as among the best in the Carribean except for modern amenity rich resorts. Food is communal like many resorts, it was very good. Fun bar next to the pool where everyone gathered after diving, snorkeling and fishing. We went Sat-Sat. Crossing from Belize City was a little rough on the way over, smoother on the way back. We dove at least twice a day. Our dive guide was Hilario and our boat captain was Harry. They were great. Hilario was appropriately focused on safety, and had a great eye for spotting things underwater. Harry was unfailingly polite and enthusiastic and helped us out of the water with great tips for making it easy. We did the blue hole and we have only done 40 or so dives, and Hilario was very careful and it was a great experience. Also, I was very nervous about our first night dive, and Hilario and Harry made us feel very safe. A huge relief. A five star vacation and the staff was amazingly polite and engaging. Would definitely go again!