Highly recommended destination for opportunity to catch permit on fly. We had multiple shots at the fish during our six days of fishing. We caught permit, tarpon and a few small bonefish. Ivan Leslie is the best fishing guide I have fished with in four decades of fly fishing.

Southwater Caye is without a doubt, one of the most beautiful islands there is! It sits literally on top of the reef and you can snorkel/fish right off the beach. My family and I spent a week there during the summer and loved every minute of it. Not to mention the diving which is some of the best I've ever done!

Blue Marlin is an excellent lodge, with friendly and attentive staff, and a great local menu. The rooms, although decorated a little tacky, are great. The beds are comfortable, plenty of hot water and AC for the nights when the breeze isn't blowing. It's great to just sit in a hammock under a coconut tree, read a book and relax as the waves roll up onto the beach.

Since the lodge is quite small, there is plenty of space and you never feel crowded by the other guests. They take excellent care of the grounds and the cottages on the beach have an incredible view of the sea!

We thoroughly enjoyed Blue Marlin and will defiantly be going back!

Four months into our marriage I was ready for a honeymoon on the beach. I had been to Puerto Vallarta and my husband had been to Cancun, and we both had been to Hawaii. So we had a decision to make since Tahiti was not an option for us until very far in the future, if ever. Then came my husband's Scientific American magazine with a full-page ad of Belize. My husband was thrilled to see the barrier reef for some fabulous snorkeling, along with solving his geology curiosity. I went to the travelbelize website and we researched many places and found the Blue Marlin to be our choice. By far, it was way beyond our expectations! Julissa, the owner's daughter, was our U.S. contact who provided us with all the answers to our questions. She coordinated our flight from Belize Int'l airport to Dangriga (about 20 minutes), and the boat ride to Southwater Caye (about 30 minutes). From our Vegas-Houston flight we were greeted at Belize Int'l by one of Blue Marlin's reps, a very helpful and pleasant chap, who checked our bags for us at Maya Air, and the customs department also went very quickly. The flight was short but scenic. Upon arrival in Dangriga we were greeted by Richard who drove us to the dock where the boat awaited us. Along the way he stopped for bottled water and some good local beer to quench our thirst for the short drive and the boat ride to the island :) Everyone was so welcoming and fun! Steven the lobster diver was very informative to any questions on our short cruise to the island.

When we got to the island we were welcomed by our very own personal crew because at this time we had been the only guests. This was at the end of the hurricane season, and we had the very best of weather early November. Although we were exhausted from traveling so long, Kay the manager seated us for a late lunch/early dinner of freshly caught red snapper (right from the pier) that was to die for, prepared by Sam the chef. And Ionie the cook makes the best coconut bread ever! Every meal (inclusive, 3 times a day plus snacks) was just as delicious as the rest. (Oh no, not lobster again :)) And Gloria our housekeeper, along with Kay, made sure our cottage remained clean daily and the fridge stocked with water, fresh juice and the local Belikin and Lighthouse beer. Kay even makes an "alka seltzer" from scratch :)

Two mornings we didn't make it to breakfast so Kay brought it to our cottage...yes, breakfast in bed of your choice! Plan to gain a couple pounds! Our cottage was right on the beach with a perfect view of the sunrise and the waves breaking on the barrier reef that we could see out our window from our bed! Then after breakfast and/or after lunch we were cruised to the greatest snorkeling areas by our personal guide, Ernie. He was the best! He took us to all his private hidden places that were spectacular! I've snorkeled before but this place was the best--a whole new world with phenomenal coral and sea life. One day Ernie even took us island hopping to see all the nearby cayes and their activities. Since I was trying out a new underwater camera I wanted to be sure my pics were backed up and Rosella the owner let me keep a backup stored on her computer for safe keeping. (You can find a large assortment of these pics on the Belize page of my "hikingallery" website.)

Before checking out we chose to not take our Belize flight to the Int'l airport and asked to have Ernie give us a personal tour through Belize. With pleasure, he drove us to some tourist attractions like St. Herman's Blue Hole with the underwater cave while explaining history of the country along the way. It was well worth the small extra fee! It made our last day very memorable. We plan to return again next year, and many more after! This was definitely a honeymoon to remember! Our only advice is to be sure to have insect repellant for the sand flies. Blue Marlin sprays their beach area but I can't be sure of the rest of the caye. We did wander around the island each day or evening to explore, and managed to get a few itches somewhere along the way. All in all, my geeky husband and myself were excited that it was not only a fabulous honeymoon vacation, but an interesting eco tour also. Thanks Blue Marlin Lodge!

~Ellen & Jim

Next winter we'll have our 7th stay over the last 10 years at the Blue Marlin--so you know we love it there! As other reviewers have said, the staff is uniformly eager to please; the food is good; the snorkeling extraordinary (we learned of the BML from a man who studies fish and reefs worldwide); the rooms comfortable but not luxurious; the sand fleas a horrible problem if you're allergic (I am, my family members aren't); the booze expensive (except Belizean beer) and the wine ordinary; the weather in January a bit unsettled (i.e., "fronts" of chill and rain do come through), better in February; the setting absolutely relaxing and restorative (perfect for reading, napping, eating, snorkeling--our 4 activities there).

This is not a place for anyone who needs a first-class hotel or 3-star restaurant; has children who can't entertain themselves with swimming, snorkeling, reading, sand play; wants a busy nightlife; swims only in pools.

But if you have reading to catch up on, don't mind putting on a few pounds eating too much, like to snorkel or dive or fish, can cope with a bit of rain perhaps, and find contentment in being far, far away from any kind of pressure (there is phone service, and email if essential), this is the place for you. Pack *very* lightly!