Turneffe Flats Resort Review (long)

[hpbelize]

I searched the net, but couldn't find any decent maps.

Let me know if this link helps as far as Turneffe map goes or PM me ur email address and I'll email a detailed map. I designed several shirts and dive maps. The same offer goes for anyone interested in a TA dive map.

 

[craracer]

Thanks Aldo. I see that you are associated with Hugh Parkey's, and I've seen your t-shirts! Do you have anything to add to the discussion regarding dive sites?

My bud sent the photos he took of a dive map that was on-board.

 

[craracer]

I've asked my buddy to post a counterpoint of my review here. I know he's a busy guy, but I hope he will oblige.

 

[spbdc]

I have worked at both TIR (although it was TIL when i worked there) and TF, it does not sound as though you dived the Elbow, this would be done as drift dive as typically there is current , which in turn attracts the schooling fish and palagics. Depending on strenth of current we would drop in at Leftys ledge or Gorgonion Bluff and drift down to the elbow and then off into the blue, when the dive is good it is really good.As far as the Syonara, it was an old supply boat of the lodge that was sunk back in the 80's.I am sure that there is very little structure left now as it was a wooden hull, however if you go west of the boat there are some fantastic coral heads and swim through arch, i have done many night dives there and once away from the wooden hull have had some enjoyable ones, although i find night dives very hit or miss.
I enjoyed your review and would just add that Craig and Karen have built a tremendous resort and put in a lot of hard work to get it to where it is, they have been a constant factor in TF since its conception, which cannot be said for many other places.
The fishermen did sound obnoxious though!

 

[hpbelize]

Thanks Aldo. I see that you are associated with Hugh Parkey's, and I've seen your t-shirts! Do you have anything to add to the discussion regarding dive sites?

Nice map, as you can notice my name is on the right side of that dive map. I drew that out for Karen at TF and she laminated it to keep at the shop. I also designed their dive shirt. SPBDC has made a valid point to add to your discussion on the dive sites at south Turneffe. Of all the times I've done Sayonara the most I time I've spent around the "wreck" is about 15 minutes, just passing over it. Another point to note is that Hugh Parkey named many of the dive sites around Turneffe in the early days when he managed TIL (now TIR) and later TF.

 

[Hank49]

Thanks Aldo. I see that you are associated with Hugh Parkey's, and I've seen your t-shirts! Do you have anything to add to the discussion regarding dive sites?

My bud sent the photos he took of a dive map that was on-board.

Are most, or all of these sites marked my moorings?

 

[spbdc]

The syonara has a mooring, i do not know about the east side maybe they have been put down over the years. As hpbelize said the dive sites were named by Hugh and i learned them by visual reference.I have no doubt that some of the names have been altered also.

 

[hpbelize]

It seems as if only the live-aboards maintain moorings at TA replacing them at least once a year. We try maintaining some on the NW side and at the Barrier Reef near our lodge. It's a constant battle against the elements and fishermen. There are some at the snorkel sites at South Gallows Point as well.

 

[peterbj7]

Fishermen? Do they cut the moorings?

 

[craracer]

Craig and Karen have built a tremendous resort and put in a lot of hard work to get it to where it is

Oh, without a doubt! When we were there, a guy was visiting the resort for a day or two. This guy is building his own resort and was at TF getting ideas on everything from power to water recycling. We were asking him questions at dinner and quickly recognized what an enormous undertaking building a resort is.

Some of our dive sites had moorings, others were found by landmark.

We did nothing more than a swim-over at Syonara. Some of the wood structure is still there, and a lot of the boat's inner-workings have survived. I didn't take photos, but maybe my bud did.

Nice job on the map Aldo. I was thinking that someone really put a lot of work into making the map, and felt bad that it had been folded up on the boat. It should have been framed and placed up on a wall (out of the elements).