Belize HELP: Blackbird, Turneffe or Lighthouse?

[ivi_1988]

Greetings!

I am planning a trip to Belize this April and am having trouble distinguishing between Blackbird Resort, Turneffe Island Lodge and Lighthouse Resort for a four night stay... Which is best? My main concerns are good service, a knowledgeable and professional dive staff, and good equipment (i.e. rental and boat). A nice setting for the resort would be wonderful as well. Any help in deciding between these three options would be GREATLY appreciated!

Thanks in advance,

BJB

 

[donacheson]

Greetings!

I am planning a trip to Belize this April and am having trouble distinguishing between Blackbird Resort, Turneffe Island Lodge and Lighthouse Resort for a four night stay... Which is best? My main concerns are good service, a knowledgeable and professional dive staff, and good equipment (i.e. rental and boat). A nice setting for the resort would be wonderful as well. Any help in deciding between these three options would be GREATLY appreciated!

Thanks in advance,

BJB

Can't go wrong with Lighthouse, but I have no idea about rental equipment there.

 

[SueMermaid]

Blackbird was great when I was there about 5 years ago. Dunno if they are the same caliber, but then, they had great boats, great staff, and decent equipment from what I could tell. The dive sites were excellent, The rooms were gorgeous, and the food was top notch.
I cannot comment on the other resorts.

 

[oceancat]

I do not recommend lighthouse reef resort. We stayed there for a week in Nov. 2004 and were not at all pleased with the DM or the manager. All of the DM, save one were pretty apathetic (didn't double check people's air before going in the water, didn't wash equipment, didn't really seem to want to be there), we had weather issues and rather than dive leeward somewhere, we sat in a hammock for 2 1/2 days--sucks when you pay for the diving--we dive A LOT worse seas in New England compared to what they cancelled). The dive boat broke the first day we finally did get to go out diving. The food was good, but that was about it. For the $$, I would do a liveaboard or go somewhere else. My understanding is the resort was sold and will be undergoing renovations soon (maybe that is why the staff and manager weren't too into the guests).