Is Bird Island - a unique private island experience. pet-friendly?

Yes, Bird Island - a unique private island experience. allows pets (limit 2 total). Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.

Bird Island - a unique private island experience. Reviews, Deals & Photos 2025

Q: Where is Bird Island - a unique private island experience. located?

Nestled on the beach, this Placencia lodge is within a 15-minute walk of Placencia Beach and Jaguar Bowling Lanes. Silk Caye Beach is 1.6 mi (2.6 km) away.

10/10 Excellent

colette s.

7 June 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful spot

We had a great time on this well cared for piece of paradise.

Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Brian O.

24 Feb 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Relax and enjoy

What a fantastic place! Fred, Ruth and Leo are considerate, responsive and accommodating. If you are looking for a place to get away, this is it. You won’t have all the luxuries of high priced resorts, but you will have everything you need for a true island adventure! That is exactly how Bird Island is set up. Leave your cares on the mainland and spend your day snorkeling, kayaking, paddle boarding or relaxing in a hammock. Do not skip the chance to go fishing with Thurman. In my opinion, it is best to spend a full day on the island before scheduling a fishing trip. It gives you time to get adjusted to your stay. Also, 5 days seemed like the perfect amount of time for us. Not too long that we needed more supplies and not too short that we were not able to enjoy all there was to offer.

Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Tracie D.

28 Feb 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Truly Unique Fantasy Experience!

Bird Island has been a dream vacation for us for a long time. And after years of looking at pictures and reading reviews online, it was almost surreal to step foot on the island for the first time. "I can't believe we're really here" went through my mind several times throughout the week. The entire experience was amazing! The logistics were smooth, from meetup to shopping to transportation - Leo handled it all in a professional and friendly manner. Fred and Ruth were there to welcome us upon arrival and the hand off went off without a hitch. The island itself is a dream! This is not a five star luxury resort, so don't expect that sort of experience. This is something different - an island getaway where you are isolated, free, and truly at one with the ocean and nature around you. Snorkeling, kayaking, and fishing are second to none. At night the sky lit up with stars in a way that you just don't experience in city life. Of course I have to give a nod to Thurman who gave us an amazing experience and made sure we had enough fish to eat for the whole week! All in all it was a dream come true, and an adventure that I will treasure for the rest of my life.

Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Suzi F., Auckland

23 Aug 2019

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Relax!

Lovely island - gorgeous setting! Missing an area to swim/sit in the sea. But that's a minor thing as you can jump in the sea :) We didn't have enough firewood for anymore than 1 fire which was a shame - I much prefer to cook on a fire than charcoal BBQ. Nothing can be done if there is no firewood around though! :) But Fred was a really lovely host - very helpful and always 'on call'! I loved the overwater bungalows! Sooo calming to fall asleep and wake up to the water beneath the floor. Loved it! Lots of books to read, loooads of food to help yourselves to! I don't think I've been in such a well packed rental! We brought way too much food with us too - luckily we had a few days in Placencia afterwards to eat the leftovers. Haha! We had gorgeous weather - it can get really windy - but that just keeps you cool. We also had a lightning storm one night - which was amazing to watch from my bed. :) Book with confidence!

Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2019

8/10 Good

Lisa B.

17 June 2019

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Rustic island retreat!

When will you ever get the chance to say that you were stranded on a dessert island? We were and it was a great experience. Fishing and snorkeling right at our front door. You also get to experience the ocean in such a different way we you are so close to it. Am experience we will never forget. I will include that while it certainly was a good experience it was extremely rustic. It was between camping and glamping. Definitely closer to camping. While the accommodations were quirky and sweet, it was not very comfortable and very few creature comforts like great mattresses, pillows, sheets and towels. While very clean they were not at all plush or comfy. The kitchen is well stocked for the casual cook. If you are looking at making more refined meals the kitchen is tough. Mismatched dishes and plates, few utensils a couple or measuring cups but not a full set, etc. We did enjoy our tine for sure but it would have been truly amazing if the property was upgraded a bit for comfort. I say thug because we spent a good bit of the trip talking about how we outfit the property with a better interior design and more comfortable attributes. Then island and concept are great it just needs an update to take it from more of a camping experience something more sophisticated and comfortable.

Stayed 4 nights in May 2019

10/10 Excellent

Casey S., Zanesville, Ohio, USA

17 Apr 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

One-of-a-Kind Vacation Rental

Even though there are so many pictures, videos, and reviews of Bird Island and you are more than certain it's gonna be one of the greatest places you've ever been to, it's still an overwhelming feeling when you actually get there. Euphoria is a word you use a lot while you are there to describe how you feel. From the start, and we were booked months in advance, Fred is right there to answer all your questions every step of the way. Once you are there you feel like you've been friends for a long time. After reading countless 5 star reviews from everyone else's experiences, there's no way you could ever adequately describe it in any different words. What makes it so practical but unique is how it sits on this huge coral reef in 3 feet of water, so it's not like living on a huge house boat where you have to dive into deep water to get wet. If you love the ocean then this is your opportunity to experience it on a totally different level, whether you're the type who loves to swim, snorkel, and kayak in the middle of the sea or if you like lying in a hammock, sitting at the outdoor bar, or just chilling out in one of the many great places to relax, this is the perfect place for either.. Everything about the place has been very well thought out, executed, and maintained. Fred and family take care of every detail for you so try not overthink anything. The village of Placencia is a whole other 5 star review, it's an amazingly quaint little primitive place. Go there for a few days before Bird Island for a wonderful Central American experience. In short, just get it on your bucket list, book it, and go. Thanks Fred, Ruth, Leo, and the rest of the family crew for a wonder time

Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2022

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Dean O.

23 Apr 2015

Epic Vacation Spot in Paradise

Fred was very flexible and just a pleasure to deal with. Fred thanks so much for sharing your place. We will be back! What an awesome experience! We had a great time snorkeling, fishing or just relaxing. You have all the comforts of home but on your very own private island. Words can't say enough to explain the experience. The reef is excellent and the island is perfect. We have been to the Great Barrier Reef, the Florida Keys, Hawaii, The Philippines and all over the Caribbean. This is the best snorkeling experience by far. With the shallow water there is no need for scuba gear. We flew from Placencia airport which is 5-10 min taxi ride to the dock. The taxi cost about $6.00BZN per person. Flying from Belize city to Placencia (30 minute) is very affordable. For 2 of us it was cheaper to fly than rent a car and drive 2.5 hours. We flew Tropic Air, Maya Air is available as well. There are two grocery stores within 500 yards and a fresh vegetable stand across the street from the dock to purchase everything you need while on the island. Fred had an ice chest for use to keep things cold on the trip out to the island. You can buy ice right at the dock. The folks at the grocery store were kind enough to drive us back to the dock with all our food on a golf cart. The trip out to Bird island took only about 20 minutes Bring plenty of sunscreen. We used up 2 large bottles of spray on lotion in 3 days. We rented snorkel gear on the way out to the island for $6.00US per day per person. Make sure you bring water shoes they are a must. This is a great place for a family get away or fun for all ages.

10/10 Excellent

Laurie J.

27 Dec 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

One of a kind location!

Everything about Bird Island was amazing from start to finish. Fred was great about communicating the itinerary and what was needed to make our stay perfect. His son helped us shop for groceries, transported us and all of our food and gear to the island, and even helped turn in our rental car so we didn't have to pay extra for it to sit parked for the time we were on the island! My two boys (ages 15 and 16) loved to snorkel and explore the area around the island. We fished, relaxed, made delicious meals in the lovely kitchen, and spent the evenings playing cards and board games. They have thought of everything and there is nothing missing from this amazing place. It was truly a once in a lifetime experience.

Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Christina M.

28 May 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A little slice of paradise

Super easy, great communication with property manager regarding flight changes and getting in later than expected. They think of everything so you don't have to! Island is just beautiful they give you so many things to do on the island but then offer amazing excursions. We will be back for sure!

Stayed 5 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Michael R.

27 May 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Location, Location, Location

After almost two years of planning then two years of pandemic delays we finally got to stay at Bird Island. It was all I expected and more. The location is insanely beautiful. You are located on a pristine reef with tons of marine wildlife. Moray eels, spotted eagle rays, and nurse sharks just to name a few. Kayaking or snorkeling in the calm morning waters to evenings with drinks by the bar area listening to music. Relaxation is what this property is all about. Fred, Ruth, and family were wonderful. Ruth's cooking was insanely good. Leo was a great captain and tour guide on our trip to Silk Caye and Laughing bird. The Monkey river tour should not be missed either (we did this one while staying on the mainland so we wouldn't cut into our time on the island). If Privasea didn't have one of the expeditions we wanted to take Ruth was very helpful in getting a good tour guid who did. If you are hesitant to book this property don't be. Definitely a once in a lifetime experience (maybe twice since we may book again!)

Stayed 4 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

tyler a.

4 May 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

We hope to be back again soon!

This is our second time to Bird Island. Fred and his team have done amazing updates and additions on the island since our first stay. Fred is a dream to work with and very responsive. His team will work with you on anything you need or could want. Having an affordable remote island with all the amenities you could want paired with your own reef for fishing, lobster, snorkeling or kayaking is beyond explanation. This is and will be a go to destination for us as a family for years to come, cant wait to get back as soon as we can!

Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

George H.

21 Feb 2020

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

January 2020

Fantastic unique experience! If staying on a tropical private island on a beautiful coral reef is not your bag, then stay away from this place! Fred has done an amazing job making this an idyllic vacation spot with constant improvements and upgrades. We had a great time and can’t wait to come back.

Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2020

10/10 Excellent

Michael Y., Kelowna BC, Canada

11 Feb 2020

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Incredible stay

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay on Bird Island, from the great snorkeling in the surrounding reef, kayaking, and just relaxing. Also enjoyed the great trips arranged for us by Fred.

Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2020

10/10 Excellent

Jason C.

11 Feb 2020

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing getaway

The island was incredible, the perfect place to relax and get away !

Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2019

10/10 Excellent

Rhett B.

21 Aug 2019

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing experience!

A great experience with our 5 and 7 year old girls! Fred is a great host and has the island stocked with everything you need and then some. Getting to watch our girls play around on the island all day catching crabs and little fish off of the dock was perfect. The reef around the island is great and it was fun to night snorkel as well. Also agree with everyone else that you need to go fish/snorkeling with Thurman. Great guide with adults and kids and works really hard to get you fish and lobster! Thanks again Fred for sharing your amazing island with us!

Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Matthew H.

13 Aug 2019

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Bird Island Placencia, Belize

Wow, what an incredible experience. The island is just what you imagine. Fred and Ruth are excellent hosts, and communication, check in/out, and transportation very smooth and easy. Island is clean, well stocked with amenities, and designed for an unforgettable stay.

Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Brian M., Richmond, IN USA

17 June 2019

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A special place with some of the best snorkeling there is

Fred, Ruth and Leo are incredible at working with their guests and making sure things go well. We found the snorkeling gear at the island to be better than what we used in Hawaii and Puerto Rico and this made snorkeling a great time. While I found that my skills in spearing fish need a lot of work it was fun getting out there and trying it. This is a very special place, as-advertised in the listing and well worth the adventure for those that are looking for a very unique place! Thanks Fred, Ruth and Leo!

10/10 Excellent

Geraldine T.

27 Apr 2019

Lovely again - you can't go wrong staying here.

This was our second trip to Bird Island. Fred has made a lot of additions to the the island. We were so happy to be soaking up the Belizien sunshine from our very own island. We did encounter some bitting insects (we couldn't see them, but we have the bits, so we know they are there now.) There was an amazing pantry plus sunscreen, bug dope, fins, water shoes, shampoo...... everything you can think of, too many to mention. Fred, Leo and Ruth were delightful to work with and I highly recommend a stay. (just be careful to watch for hermit crabs who we shared the walkways with. They we apt to wander about and are very cute.)

Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2019

10/10 Excellent

Sara L.

23 Sept 2018

Paradise awaits - JUST GO!

What a special place Bird Island is. From the moment we stepped off the boat we were in heaven. Late night hermit crab races and kayaking through the bioluminescence. Fishing/snoring with Thorman is a must! One of a kind fishing experience. Caught enough fish that could have fed us all 4 nights! The lobster he caught mmmm - steak and lobster night was out of this world good! We snorkeled the whole atoll around the island. Great snorkeling. We saw octopus, nurse sharks, sting rays, all types of tropical fish. Fred and Ruth have picture guides back at the house that we enjoyed going back to see what the names of the fish were. Enjoyed watching lightening storms in the distance from our hammocks. We ate well, made lasting memories, and spent 4 days exploring nonstop. Bird Island is now top on the vacations we have taken. Tips: DON’T overwork the ice box/cooler. Get about 4-5 bags of ice. Put all your drinks in the ice chest and meats or things that could spoil in the ice box and refrain from continuously open the fridge door. Chum with your left over fish guts right off the dock and all sorts of fish will come up to feed. Fred and Ruth have the House well stocked with some non parishables. No need to buy water, coals, oil, cake mixes, pancake mixes, cereal, can goods, spaghetti, coffe...we bought way too much for our trip, but we know for next time pretty much all you need is a swimsuit and a snorkel! Thank you Fred and Ruth for sharing the little piece of paradise with us. Can’t wait to watch all the improvements unfold and bring our son back one day. :)

10/10 Excellent

Gary R.

1 June 2018

Peaceful Tranquility!

This is where you go to find yourself; to spend "quality" time with family; to find peace. Nurse sharks and stingrays greet you right from the dock and splendid Starfish and Eagle Rays can be spotted from the elevated deck through the absolutely clear water. Some of the best snorkeling occurs right in front of the island and bioluminescense surrounds it on moonless nights. Kayaks provide relaxing and sometimes challenging recreation. After midnight, stars and galaxies awaken and there is nothing quite like seeing the Milky Way and constellations sparkle with a 360 degree view. Spectacular sunrises every morning and spectacular sunsets every night. Barbecue dinners on the deck while sipping cocktails lead to pleasant and relaxing conversation often foregone in busy lives. The people who provide this peace and calm, Fred and Ruth, as well as their son and Thormon, are some of the nicest, most thoughtful people you will ever meet. From the time you arrive until the time you leave, they allow you the isolation and serenity you desire, while always available should the need arise. Our family situation had changed since the initial booking, and we thought we would have to cancel, but they assured us they could work with us to make it work, and they delivered. While on the island, our large family taxed the propane fridge, and when made aware of the situation, they delivered a large cooler with plenty of ice and replaced the spoiled items within hours. No small feat considering you are six miles from shore. Our son flew in from Germany to meet us the last few days and Fred and Ruth arranged for someone to meet him at the airport and provided a boat ride out so he could join us and we could all be together the last few days .Finally, fishing and snorkeling with Thormon was simply wondrous! Our favorite part of the trip. The fish we caught; the stunning snorkeling sites he took us to; the amazing barbecue he grilled our last day. Bird Island is an absolute treasure. Fred and Ruth are continually updating and improving the site. Don't hesitate to book this once in a lifetime opportunity.

Stayed 7 nights in May 2018

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Sarah C.

18 Sept 2016

Absolutely perfect

What an amazing expirence!!! We stayed for 4 nights & 5 days for our 10 year anniversary, at the beginning of September. I have an obsession with the beautiful and amazing country of Belize and my husband knows it all too well. He chose this island, knowing how much I would love it!! Fred is super helpful and will answer any questions you may have. The island is absolutely amazing. Beautiful clear water, surrounds the entire island, you can see schools of small fish, trumpet fish and star fish right from the edge. If you like to be in the water make sure you bring snorkel gear, there is PLENTY to see!! The kayaks are super fun! The house has all the basics you will need. You will have to cook your own meals, but it is all worth it with the spectacular views that are right at your feet. This is not a 5 star hotel with all the amenities, the house is somewhat basic and electricity and water conservation is a must. (But honestly if you are spending all of you time in the house, something is wrong with you.) The stars at night are endless, and the illuminating plankton are magical. The nights were very windy and were a little hard getting used to. The doors and windows stayed open to keep the breeze coming in, which felt a little weird, but if you close everything, it gets warm fast. Overall it was the most perfect gift and expirence I could have asked for!!! If you are adventurous and don't expect fancy amenities, you will LOVE Bird Island!

Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2016

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Shay H.

22 Aug 2016

Book it, you won't regret it.

My family of 4 traveled through Central America for a month. Bird Island was our last stop before heading home. After being gone a month, I figured we would all be ready to come home, but none of us wanted to leave the island. My sons are 5 and 9 and I didn't have to worry about being surrounded by ocean because the reef around the island was shallow enough for my 5 year old to stand in. The snorkeling around the island was great, and kayaking to other islands was enjoyable and challenging! We stayed in 8 different homes during our month away, and Fred had thought of everything to make his guests comfortable. We couldn't believe how well he stocked the kitchen, when he says all you need is meat and produce, he's not kidding. This island was truly an experience of a lifetime.

Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2016

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Steve R.

25 July 2016

Best Vacation We've Had In A Long Time!

We heard about Bird Island from an article we read about renting an entire island for yourself - and we just couldn't believe the price - so we sent an email to Fred to find out details - and ended up booking a week on his island - it just sounded like a lot of fun. Fred did not disappoint - we had the best time and were totally delighted with our stay on Bird Island - Fred thought of everything and made our stay there so relaxing and so much fun! Since it was just my wife and I, we really felt like we were in some movie about living on a deserted island - except we didn't need to worry about finding food or drink - it was just a fantastic 6 days and 5 nights that we spent on the island. We went snorkeling and kayaking - and all the equipment was right there on the island - no need to rent anything! Relaxing in the hammocks and just enjoying the sense of being alone and not hearing any traffic or seeing any people (except an occasional boat that would wander by) ... We'll definitely be back again - maybe stay for 2 weeks next time ... it certainly ranks up there with our favorite vacations of all time - it was everything we were hoping for - and more! Thank you, Fred!

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Christy H.

22 June 2016

Can we give it more than 5 stars????

I am not sure that I can choose one word to describe Bird Island. I can say that this is a beautiful place, it's an amazing place, it's peaceful, and it was an experience of a lifetime! We've traveled to many amazing places and I'm not sure that anything can top this one. What Fred has created and shares with many, words cannot describe. I hope to return one day. The entire booking process was seamless and Fred answered all of my annoying questions quickly. He went above and beyond, helping me upon our return to land. He has a wealth of knowledge and shares it openly. The accommdations were perfect. Sitting on the deck each night watching the stars as well as the glow in the dark fish was great. Cayaking and paddle boating and snorkeling all day and alone...who could ask for anything more? I'm sure that others who have stayed would agree that Bird Island has a permanent place in our hearts and memories. This place is great for the soul!

Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2016

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Danna H.

15 June 2016

Beautiful and relaxing, just perfect for us.

I can't imagine a better place to be. The little island was perfect for us because it was just the two of us! Fred had the kitchen stocked, we got fresh fruits and veggies in Placencia before we left. The breezes off the water was awesome. We snorkeled, kayaked, and mostly hung out in the hammocks enjoying the beautiful scenes that God put in front of us day after day. We truely enjoyed this trip and Fred wad so much help before answering all our questions. If I could give it more than five stars I would! Hope to someday return to "our" little island.

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