April 2023

Belize is a country on the eastern coast of Central America along the Caribbean Sea. To the east is the Turneffe Atoll.

We spent a week at the Blackbird Caye Resort, diving the reefs of the Turneffe Atoll.

Our travel started out delayed because of the storms in the midwest. We missed the weekly ferry from Belize City to Blackbird Caye and had to charter a flight for 5 who missed it. We started off down the runway without the back door being fully closed but Zoe saved the day and was able to latch it before liftoff. Whew.

The Blackbird Caye Resort is a wonderful little resort with an outstanding staff on and off the water. The meals were just incredible and the diving was too.

We dove the “Blue Hole” (bucket list check-off) with its stalactites and deep blue waters. We saw many nurse and reef sharks and they tend to follow and circle the dive groups. Call me crazy, but it’s not as uncomfortable as it used to be. We had the good luck (many thanks Captain Ed) to dive with dolphins at one of our safety stops. Simply amazing. There were many green moray eels to be seen in reef crevices and also free swimming. The spotted eagle rays were a gorgeous sight to see. We found beautiful scorpion/rock fish, what genius camouflage artists they are. There were green and loggerhead turtles. The octopus and toad fish were elusive and we will have to see them next time. The reefs were healthy and the sea life was plentiful.

We enter the water with a giant stride…

This dreaded remora fish was looking for a body to suction on to. It would not leave us alone.

One afternoon we spent time on Half Moon Caye. We dropped off the kitchen crew who cooked bbq and set up picnic camp while divers and snorkelers took a dive. We came back for lunch and hiking. This was a special place where there are nurse sharks swimming a couple feet off the beach. You can take a short hike to a watch tower where you view the bountiful nests of red-footed booby birds and their hatchlings. The frigate birds are also nearby, harassing the red-footed boobies for food.

We were happy to be diving with our friends, John and Lisa. We met them in 2017 on a dive trip and have dived and camped together since. Thanks for another fun trip Lisa and John!

We had an outstanding diving/snorkeling group from all over USA, Canada and UK. Many thanks to those that shared photos:)

Out of this mouth comes the best laugh we have ever heard. Keep laughing Zoe, the world needs more of your laugh.

There were numerous food injuries but it didn’t stop these divers from diving and smiling.

We had a wonderful week and will cherish the memories.

Cheers,

Betty & Brian