Turneffe Flats - Belize

Home » Caribbean » Belize

Know Before You Go!

Have you visited Turneffe Flats? We'd love to know what you think...
Please write a review with as much detail as possible. Tell us about the amenities, facilities and staff.

Click Here to post your review for Turneffe Flats.

They charge a premium price, yet it's not a premium property. Visited: August 2009 Posted by akrohnat If all you need is diving and fishing, this is not a bad choice. The dive master and captain are excellent. The fishermen didn't catch a lot that week, but enjoyed the fishing and the locations. The property is basic for the cost. I was surprised about the recommend $720 in tips for the three of us. The air conditioning in the rooms did not turn back on until after 4:30 PM. The thermostat changes after you fall asleep. One of the two ceiling fans was too noisy to use at night. The bathroom was basic. It had a small shower, plus a multitude of little crawling insects that showed up each morning. The meals were small and limited. Each guest was given a plate with an entrée and vegetable: no seconds. My son and I are not picky eaters. My wife, on the other hand, is a better cook and didn't rave about the food. There is no need to worry about gaining weight on this trip. We were out of customs by 11:00 am, but we didn't leave the airport until after noon. Not a problem though, the boat to the property didn't leave until after 4:30 pm If you can choose your flights, find one in the afternoon. The four-hour wait at the dock was not an enjoyable start to our vacation. The location was remote. Next time, I'll stay at one of the larger islands. At each site, we saw dive boats from all the surrounding islands. The staff was nice. And though the diving was great, I didn't get what I paid for. I suggest you research your other options thoroughly. 0 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? Beware of this Lodge. Visited: May 2009 Posted by sherlock94 I traveled here May 23rd from the UK. I was a single angler for a week of guided saltwater fly fishing. My trip was booked nine months in advance. I chose this destination because of the reputation and claims made by the owner, Craig Hayes, on their web site. On day one I was introduced to my guide "Smokey"�. I asked him how long he had been a guide there. His reply was "Long enough". We left the dock by flats boat at 9 am; yet I did not cast to my first fish until 1:15 pm. At this point I was concerned, as Smokey did not seem to know the fishing area and was being very uncommunicative. As a 52-year-old I rely on reading glasses. My guide saw this, and offered to tie on my bonefish flies. That afternoon I lost three bonefish while flats wading. They did not slip the hook or break the line, the knots failed and I lost the flies as well, all had been tied on by Smokey. On day two, while being poled, I spotted some tailing bonefish, I pointed them out to Smokey and he completely overran them with the boat. By the end of day two, I was disgusted with the situation. That evening I complained to the lodge manager. My complaint was listened to and acted upon. Somehow, I was persuaded to give Smokey one more chance, I was told that he had been spoken to and had admitted the problem. Day three was an improvement, but largely due to the fact that I was coaching Smokey as to what to do (i.e. tell me when and where he sighted fish and when to stop the boat). I refused to fish with Smokey after that day and I was put with a guide named Michael. The difference was night and day. Michael was everything I expected in a guide. The remaining three days of fishing were excellent. On returning home I wrote a letter of complaint to Craig Hayes. Craig Hayes offered me the "cost package" rate upon my return trip. I declined because I would need to take a week off work, pay the cost of flights there, among other reasons. I have corresponded with Craig Hayes back and forth with some 16 emails. Future guests should be informed. I would hate for anyone to go through what I went through. 0 users found this review helpful. 3 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? We loved it! Visited: December 2004 Posted by tiffert14 My husband and I went to Turneffe Flats for our honeymoon. We loved everything about it. It was a remote destination and we really felt like we were on a secluded tropical island. This was the exact thing we wanted for our honeymoon. Everything about Turneffe was warm and friendly...from the staff and the food to their accommodations and atmosphere. It was not commercialized, and everything they did was homemade and environmentally friendly. Coming from a place where everything is commercialized, this was a welcomed retreat. We logged 15 dives while at Turneffe. Every dive was spectacular and the dive master and boat captain took us to a different dive site every time. We never saw any other divers while we dove. Each dive site was pristine and not stirred up or trashed, like other popular dive sites. I can't say enough good things about this lodge. If you are looking for a remote destination to get away from everything (no phones, TVs or radios in the rooms) and be treated like a welcomed guest in someone's home, then you will love Turneffe. 7 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? This was the best trip I have ever had! Visited: March 2004 Posted by jelkins My girlfriend and I just returned from Turneffe Flats and want everyone to know what a great time we had. I am a fishing addict and would have been fine sleeping on the beach as long as the fishing was good. My girlfriend, on the other hand, likes the creature comforts. She was on a dive package and spent every day diving while I fished. I have been saltwater fishing a lot of places and have never had such a combination of fishing and other activities. The food, accommodations and staff were all top notch and everyone really seemed to enjoy what they were doing. The best part of this trip was feeling like we were a part of the family and I never once thought about work. We are looking forward to returning to Turneffe Flats soon. I hope they keep it just the way it was on our visit. 4 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful?

Other Popular Properties

	Blue Tang Inn - Belize On San Pedro's north edge, experience a private paradise at Blue Tang Inn, one of the town's most charming beachfront inns. Fourteen exquisite suites each offer full kitchens and air...		Best Western Belize Biltmore Plaza - Belize Best Western Belize Biltmore Plaza is a full service Caribbean style hotel situated in the quiet and serene residential area of Bella Vista on the northern outskirts of Belize City....
	San Ignacio Resort Hotel - Belize San Ignacio Resort Hotel, Belize. The newly renovated San Ignacio Resort Hotel is Cayo’s premier full-service resort in San Ignacio, Belize. The hotel boasts first-class...		The Lodge At Chaa Creek - Belize The Lodge at Chaa Creek is a private 365-acre nature reserve set along the banks of the Macal River in the foothills of the Maya Mountains. Chaa Creek Inland Expeditions...