Our stay at Blackbird Caye started off nice enough. The people who work there are lovely, you couldn't ask for a more aaccomodating staff. The divemaster made all of our dives comfortable and had a lot of patience as well. The food was outstanding, eaten campstyle. We tipped them well as they were worth it!

The bungalows were nice but the A/C units didn't always work, the toilets didn't work and the electricity kept going out. The beds had bedbugs, yes that is right, bedbugs. I got back to the US and went to my doctor for all of these bites on my legs and arms and that is what was diagnosed. We were only there for 3 nights but that was enough. On the second day I thought that perhaps they were sand flea bites but alas, they fit the classic mold of bed bug bites. My friends got these bites too from their bungalows.

The managment said that they are doing a complete overhaul and closing for 3 months. Hopefully this overhaul will take care of the problem as the resort is truly wonderful, in a primitive..very relaxing...do nothing but read, dive, play cards and eat type of way. A good vacation spot to really rest.

This place is superbly relaxing and has a beautiful and very private setting on Turneff Atoll. Blackbird Caye is the only resort on the island (although it shares the island with an Oceanic Research Station, which researches dolphins and the abundant coral reefs and which you can visit, as we did several times).

There were almost no bugs when we were there (the last week of January 2008). As instructed, we took insect repellent but did not use it even once. We were also lucky with the weather. It rained lightly a few times, but only at night.

The island is accessed either through a 20 minute flight from Belize City (the resort has its own airstrip) or a one and a half hour boat trip, either of which the resort will arrange. We flew one way and took the boat the other way, which really helped us picture the relative distances and varying states of development of the surrounding islands.

Yes, there are a few crocodiles far back in backwater ponds on the island but we walked everywhere, exploring the island in confidence. The prevasive sense is that it is a safe and welcoming place. The divers in the group were very complimentary about their experience. There are 3 scheduled dives per day. We were novice snorklers and had a blast, encountering thousands of colourful tropical fish as well as many baracuda, stingrays, squid (one group of 14, swimming together) and schools of huge tarpon. There are two snorkel trips a day, with time between for kayaking. We had some initial equipment problems and the snorkel guide graciously loaned us extra masks that he had. It reminded me of a ski vacation because of the high activity level, except it was warm and very quiet. After dinner and a drink, you fall into a hammock for a nap or into bed exhausted around 9:00 pm and then are up early the next morning keen to do it all over again. The staff is unfailingly pleasant and helpful and the bartender creatively invents delicious new cocktails. The food is the best I have had on an all-inclusive vacation, which is just as well, seeing as there is no place else on the island to eat. The cabanas are really pretty and well cleaned and maintained. The trip to the Blue Hole and Lighthouse Reef you will never forget. Even the resort's little library was a pleasant surprise. Oddly, when we were there, Blackbird was half empty... you have to wonder why such a perfect place isn't booked to the rafters. It is, of course, pricier than Ambergris Caye or Caye Caulker, etc., but for those who seek peace and quiet, it is worth much more than the price differential. Ii is possible I over-tipped for the few days we were there (tipping guidelines would have been appreciated), but it was such a terrific time that I just felt grateful to all the staff.

We did the Caye Resorts "Reef and Rainforest" package, where you spend the first 4 nights at Blackbird Caye and then move to duPlooy's on the Mical River outside San Ignacio for the rest of the week. The jungle portion was fine except for the Tikal excursion, which was poorly handled by duPlooy's (see my review of duPlooy's Jungle Lodge), but in retrospect I wish we had spent the whole week at Blackbird.

I am almost reluctant to write this review because if Blackbird gets all the business they deserve, either we will never be able to book a cabana again or their prices will go through the roof.

There is a lot of world to see and experience out there. We do not like to repeat trips... but we would definitely go back to Blackbird Caye. if you like privacy and if you are lucky (as we were) with the weather, this will rank among your best trips.

Blackbird Caye Resort situated on Turneffe Atoll, Belize delivers the ideal island paradise experience with best in the Caribbean scuba diving. The resort is close to famous dive sites like the Blue Hole and Elbow; all the dive sites in this area exhibit unspoiled coral reefs with abundant marine life large and small. The resort provides all inclusive service less reasonably priced alcohol and soft drinks. Accomodations are private and semi-private cottages all located directly on a white sand beach. The dive operation is top notch but advanced divers should note that shore diving and nitrox services are not available. Transfers from Belize City are via light aircraft (30 minutes) or boat (70 minutes) and are enjoyable - we used both modes. We opted in the second week for a mixed Blackbird Caye/mainland jungle lodge package which allowed for cave tubing, zip line, visit to the Tikal, Guatamala Mayan ruins and jungle lodge activities and highly recommend it for those wanting to see some of the Belize countryside. All in all, a fantastic vacation experience.

We were looking for a great fishing and snorkle vacation. This is a wonderful spot out of Belize City. Beautiful and remote. There is no nightlife, no open markets, no traffic (unless you count the golf cart the resort uses to transport your luggage), & no crime.

The food was awesome, the the kitchen was great about cooking what we caught and packing yummy lunches for those days we didn't want to take a break from fishing. We planned on a getting in a bunch of hammock time, but always seemed to be fishing or eating.

There doesn't seem to be many guests coming to Blackbird to fish. It is mostly diving and snorkeling, so the guide is a guest guide. In our case it was Bert.. Bert is a local and a fish guru. He was very knowledgeable, which is a good thing because the boat and equipment would be my only complaint of this resort.

We fished off a dive panga so the poles were VERY difficult and dangerous to get out of the holders. The back of the boat was set up for divers, and there was no safety equipment but for life vests, which I checked for before we left port the first day. No radio, no electronics, or flares, etc.

The cabanas were very cute and very comfortable. The resort is charming and clean. The staff is friendly and accomodating. We caught many fish and ate the grouper, wahoo and conch we collected. Oh, So yummy. We ate better on this vaction than any other.

For a fishing trip I would advise that you ask many questions about gear that you may want to bring, and be very clear about the boat and equipment you'll be using.

For the price, this is a fabulous vacation. Lodging, awesome food, and a boat and guide for 6 days, can't beat it.

We did stay 2 nights at The Great House in Belize City. Probably the only place I would recomend in town. They have a great restauant as well, the Smokey Mermaid. Don't stay in Belize City, get out to the Islands.