Bird Island

Bedrooms

Bathrooms

Maximum Occupancy

4BR villa in Placencia

Private Island, w/Reef+Blue Holes - Islands for Rent in Placencia, Belize, Belize

The Island offers a unique experience for guests! The corals are very well preserved! It's worth mentioning the fishing with Thurman!

A Ilha oferece uma experiência única aos hóspedes! Os corais muito bem preservados! Vale destacar a pescaria com o Thurman!

Our group of 7 had the absolute best time staying here! It was beautiful and so peaceful and private. The diving on the reef was amazing, fishing with Thurman was so much fun, and we were so grateful to have Chef Minor taking care of us and cooking us amazing meals. Our hosts were super communicative and provided great instructions and recommendations! All of the logistics ran so smoothly (major thanks to Conrad and Truly Wild) and everyone was so kind and helpful (shoutout to Dora, we love you!) This is the ultimate vacation spot for anyone who enjoys the outdoors, water activities, or just relaxing in a hammock with a good book!!

Bird Island is a very special place! My husband and I stayed for 5 days and had a wonderful time. Maintaining a tiny island like this takes a ton of effort - but the communication was top notch, and if we had questions, we got answers right away. Communication was stellar. The most spectacular thing for us was the amazing coral and snorkeling right off the edge of the island. I haven't seen coral that healthy and beautiful anywhere else in many years - and tons of fish and rays .... it was just perfect. We are so grateful to have had the chance to stay here!

We had a great time.  The location is unbeatable.  The fishing trip with Thurman was definitely worth it.

Bird Island is a very fun getaway! Six adults stayed on the island plus we hired Chef Minor to come with us. Chef Minor was pivotal to us having a good time! Not only was he a great chef and conversationalist, he was also as knowledgeable as he could be about the generator, water pumps, and general how to of island living that maybe would have taken us a while to figure out. Our stay was comfortable! Everyone had good things to say about their beds and sleeping spaces. It was definitely magical to keep the windows open and just let the ocean lull us to sleep. On our first day, we went fishing with Thurman and caught enough to feed a village. Everything we caught was eaten! And we were never bored. Between soaking up sunshine, kayaking, paddle boarding, reading, games, and chatting, we were exhausted at the end of each day. Bird Island is a good Glamping experience. The property could use some TLC, but if you're okay with feeling close to the ocean and earth, it's a great stay!

Bird Island was amazing. It was a great private getaway for us and our friends. We hired Elaine to cook for us and her food was incredible and she was good company. Fred was a good host and made us feel very welcome. The island was very clean and the snorkeling was fantastic.

Our family of five spent a full week on Bird Island and recommend it for anyone seeking both adventure and serenity. Our days were spent relaxing in the ample hammocks, reading, and playing games. When we were ready for activity, some of the best snorkeling in the world is right off your doorstep - we saw nurse sharks, rays, and tropical fish of all variety. My kids really enjoyed the SUPs. I brought my fly rod and chased permit, which frequent the flats around the island (like most visitors, I struck out!). We had much more luck wade fishing with frozen sardines. We hired Elaine to prepare meals and also did two fishing/snorkeling excursions with Thurman. While Fred, the owner, is an amazing and friendly host, you really get an entire team of folks who are ready to make your stay comfortable and memorable. If your family is on the adventurous side and appreciates getting away from it all, don't hesitate to book Bird Island.

My second visit to the island and it was as incredible as the first time. And the beds were so comfy! I would highly recommend Therman for a fishing guide, we caught so many fish we cooked for the next 4 days. Fred is an incredible host, so responsive and always helpful.

We had a great time with the family! Having Elaine join us on the island was a huge plus. She came as a chef and was great with the kids and just being around to help out on the island. This was really an awesome experience that our family will forever remember.

Our group had a great time at Bird Island.  Elaine was great and fishing with Thurman was a blast! Great place to get away from everything for a few days!

Wonderful island to relax and get away!  So beautiful and comfortable!  One of our snorkeling days was just like a picture in the listing. The water was smooth as glass and wonderfully clear!  And Elaine harvested Lobster and Conch for an amazing dinner that day.

Very beautiful, peaceful, and quiet place. Snorkeling and water activities are good but no breathtaking. I did see sharks, eels, rays, and an octupus. It is nice to go in and out whenever you feel like it rather than on an excursion from a hotel. Rooms are nicely separated for privacy. Read the property description (which is accurate) but there is no AC and bathing water is limited. Elaine is fabulous to chat with and is an okay cook. The transportation to and from the island is smooth. There are no bugs at all IF the winds are strong, which was true for the first half of our trip. However, when the winds go away the bugs arrive and they are annoying and you will need strong bug spray to even have a fighting chance. The lack of AC results in windows open and you have bugs all night....and it is hot and humid. Again bug spray can make this okay, but it could be a problem for some. Take the fishing trip with Thurman!

Bird island is an incredible place! Our group snorkeled for hours each day on the beautiful healthy reef and relaxed on the peaceful island. We did the fishing trip with Thurman and caught many meals worth of snapper and mackerel-highly recommend! We had Elaine cook for us and enjoyed all of her meals and her company! Bird island is not luxury accommodations and is a more rustic experience, but was perfect for us. The night snorkeling (bring dive lights) was truly incredible and we saw multiple octopus each night! Overall an incredible and unique trip!

Bird Island was a paradisiacal delight. 360 Degrees of Caribbean sparkling clear turquoise to deep blue sea, gentle lulling lapping waves, and surrounding coral reef rife with aquatic splendor made for fantastic snorkeling. For hours I would have, but my fair skin limited my time in the sun. Bring a good 50 SPF sunscreen. Bring an underwater camera too. There are plenty of shady nooks to hangout in like the fun hammock tower or the cushy lounge chairs with a covered deck There was a near constant breeze that kept us cool. We loved our fishing excursion with Thurman. We caught more than enough fish for myself and my young adult son. We wanted a private retreat so we cooked our own food. Ruth did prepare a birthday feast, cake and bread pudding that was utterly delicious for my son’s 24th birthday. A rustic charming oasis, the comfiest beds, a unique island breathtaking getaway. We took our small dog who looked her happiest ever. A thousand tail wags! Thank you Fred and team!

Check in: Upon arrival at the main office and during our initial food shopping, my wife and I encountered some hiccups. It seemed like an unusual situation, perhaps caused by a reshuffling of schedules, but our guide was delayed and we were somewhat lost as we attempted to procure groceries for our stay. Island stay: This Airbnb is a gem. Elaine, the cook, spoiled us with her cultured home cooked meals, turning fresh ingredients into feasts. Days were spent swimming in crystal-clear waters and snorkeling among vivid marine life (research fire coral!) Thurman, the seasoned fishing guide, ensured our trip was a catch-filled adventure. The living quarters: a blend of comfort and functionality. Spacious and tranquil, this island escape provided the ultimate respite - paradise found! Bonus point: My wife had an allergic reaction from a bite, but the strong WiFi allowed for a quick telehealth consult. Thurman kindly brought the prescribed meds with him before taking us fishing.

unbelievable place....like a dream. Elaine stayed and cooked for us and she was awesome! highly highly recommend this place for anyone wanting a dream get away!

So much to say about this place, but really, it boils down to “incredible.” First, Fred, Leo, and Ruth were an amazing team, getting the place ready for us and helping us get provisioned and set up for the long weekend. Great communication, always flexible when travel tribulations threw up challenges, there was always a solution and they were super accommodating. Then, the compound. The place is a little rustic, but it truly has everything you need for a long stay away from really anything. The kitchen is well-stocked, beds were comfortable and there were so many cozy little areas and nice touches that made everything really seem very homey. Finally, the surroundings. The reef was absolutely gorgeous, and you could swim for hours and hours and not take it all in. That, the sunrises and sunsets and to top it all off, if you’re lucky enough to be there on and just after a full moon, the bioluminescent light show is an unforgettable experience. I highly recommend a trip to Bird Island

You cannot put into words how amazing this place is. It truly is paradise, a destination we all seek. I cannot think of one thing that I would change. From the many places to just chill on the island to incredible reef where you can swim with sharks and giant rays.  Seafood is abundant with lobster, stone crab, conch, and many verities of tasty fish just out your front door. The stay was very comfortable offering great beds, hot water, a well-stocked kitchen, plenty of towels and near about anything else you may require. The reef and marine life are National Geographic worthy. make sure you bring an underwater camera.  For fishing a medium weight rod, 15 to 20 lbs. test, 1-to-2-ounce sinkers, and 4 to 5 circle hooks. Kayak out to the edge of the reef where it meets the deeper water.  Any type of cut or live bait will provide success.  The host and host family were very attentive, easy to reach, and even baked fresh bread pudding for us; Thank You Ruth! Book it, you want regret it!

We had a really great time. The island was amazing. Check in was easy and they had a place for us to leave our rental car. We did a fishing trip with Thurman and caught a lot of fish. He even cleaned our Conch for us that we collected without him. The swimming area was well suited for small children. We brought a 5 and a 4 year old.  The island has so many fun places for them to play. We hired the cook and she was great. She taught us to hand fish and find conch. Her food was really good. One comment is just that she doesn't make coffee which we assumed would go with making breakfast and she doesn't make breakfast on the last day. I only mention because those were assumptions we had made and we never asked about it beforehand.  Overall the trip was amazing and I would 100% recommend.

We are so glad you had a great time and specially that the kids did. Nowadays the island has become so well suited for families. We almost got the support team tuned to perfection, though one more tweak will definitely be that the cook always makes breakfast specially on the last day when people are usually traveling for hours. In Bird Island no one is allowed to cut corners. Till we see you again, the safest of journeys and thank you for coming Jessica.

This spot was fantastic! We had an awesome four days with a group of six folks. It felt like we were Robinson Crusoe, dealing with some tough weather and a few hiccups with the generator and water pump. But those problems were nothing compared to the amazing experience we had. It's a once-in-a-lifetime kind of thing, I'm telling you. Five stars!

Exceeded our expectations. Fred was very accommodating and provided us with everything we needed and more on the island. Elaine was a fantastic companion that cooked all day for us and whooped our asses in cards. You've been warned!

The island, cook Elaine, and the fishing guide were all great. For the island, the prior review that framed it as glamping really helped me set the right expectations. Snorkeling and kayaking around the island is very good. Nurser sharks, various rays, octopuses, and endless tropical fish are all around you. Just don't go kayaking when there is a strong breeze or Fred may have to get you in Honduras. Elaine is a wonderful guest to have on the island and is a heck of a home cook. We had a great variety of meals and they were all top notch. The wifi was sufficient for 2 people working remote and Elaine's usage. I would not push it past that. The bedding was comfortable and clean. The island breezes and fans kept us mostly cool. We never needed warm showers. While I didn't see a mosquito, the noseeums did bite even with spray. 1 toilet DOA, 1 belched when flushed, 1 was for Elaine, and 1 was not attached to the floor but otherwise worked well. Glamping. We would gladly go back.

After the initial apprehension we felt watching the boat leave that dropped us off off, my wife and I quickly adapted to life on the island.  Despite its isolation,  the Bird Island house had virtually everything we needed to enjoy our stay.  We did our own cooking, thanks to Leo taking us to purchase fresh veggies and other groceries at stores in Placencia prior to taking us to the island.  We were met at the island by Fred and Ruth, who had prepped and cleaned everything prior to our arrival.  We lived almost exclusively outside; snorkelling, paddling, watching the seabirds and underwater creatures, and having our meals at one of the two outdoor dining areas.  We took advantage of the opportunity to fish with Thurman, whose talents helped us catch enough fish for the remainder of our Belize vacation. We also took a snorkel tour to Silk Caye and swam with nurse sharks, loggerhead turtles, eagle and sting rays.  Needless to say we had an incredible stay and made lifetime memories.

Wonderful stay. Would definitely recommend!!  Fred and Leo are fantastic.  Truman took us on a great fishing trip.

Very different than any other place I have stayed. The island was awesome, and Fred and his family were even better.  Extremely responsive and helpful.  Elaine is a must, the food was amazing and she was extremely helpful (also - have to get her to sing karaoke).  Thurman was extremely nice and the fishing trip was extremely successful, not to mention how great the fish tasted.  The snorkeling was also amazing, being surrounded by a reef brought so many cool creatures to the island.  Highly recommend, was an amazing experience

Bird Island was fantastic! This was a bucket list trip for me and my wife. I have been following and watching Bird Island since it was listed on AirBNB and all that waiting and expectation was not in vain. The place was just amazing and everything that is promised in the listing. My wife and I had a week of firsts... Saltwater fishing with Thorman (schedule that during your visit if you can through Fred!), feeding Nurse Sharks, snorkeling, traveling to Belize.... the list could go on and on. Everything was as described and the peacefulness, perhaps interrupted by a Pelican hunting fish or a friendly boat passing by, was exactly what we needed and Bird Island provided it.

This was the most amazing adventure we have ever taken. Elaine was an amazing cook, the island was perfect and the fishing/ monkey river was a great adventure. I can’t wait to book another week.

We stayed at Bird Island for our honeymoon and we were amazed by our surroundings. During the day the water was warm, calm and teal.  The ocean life was just as beautiful. We are both certified divers but you could see anything you wanted by snorkeling. At night the stars are so bright you can actually take pictures of them on your phone. If we needed anything Fred and his amazing family all stepped in for anything we needed. If you don’t want to cook while you’re here I recommend asking for  Elaine, she’s an amazing cook!! I would definitely recommend staying here and we would love to come back again!

We absolutely loved it here!  Totally recommend!  The views are spectacular.  The host Fred is super friendly and was very helpful from booking to check in to check out.  Elena is great!  She's an amazing cook and guide, and we learned soo much from her.  The reef is soo pretty and vibrant.  The rooms are clean and tidy, and the place is well stocked.  The island is comfy and has lots to do like snorkeling, games, floats, kayaking, fishing.  We had soo much fun!  It was such an amazing experience!

We had a such a lovely time on the island. Beautiful surroundings. Great food by Elaine. They really go above and beyond to make your stay comfortable. Ruth even got my husband a cake and shirt because it was his birthday!!

We had a great time at bird island. It was secluded and beautiful. A really cool experience being surrounded by water. They had the island stocked with all of the necessities which was very helpful. Had drinking water, lots of kitchen essentials, coolers, etc. I would note that you shouldn’t expect to be going to a resort. The home is not luxury, but if that’s not what you are looking for this place will be good for you. We loved our time here and we miss the views already.

Bird Island is a great place for vacation. The fishing trip was incredible!  Enjoyed snorkeling and kayaking around the island. The cook was amazing. So glad we opted to hire her. Fred is an excellent host and and very helpful. Would definitely recommend!

This was our second stay at Fred and Ruth’s place and it was nothing short of perfect. They have made some substantial additions to the island , all of which is catered toward an immersive experience. The perfect adventure without ever leaving your location. Of course the snorkeling was unrivaled - with new and beautiful creatures and coral on ever inch of the surrounding area. We spent hours each day just enjoying the marine life. We went fishing the first day with Thurman (for the second time also) and the experience and his expertise is well worth every penny! Another fabulous stay , I cannot emphasize how much we enjoyed this little slice of heaven- hope to see everyone again soon.

Dream come true!  Do not expect resort accommodations, but do expect pristine snorkeling, friendly nurse sharks/sting rays, incredible local creole cuisine (if you opt for chef), and memories to last a lifetime.  I highly suggest the personal chef (Elaine) who not only prepares all your meals, but provides an authentic Belize experience to immerse in the culture and elevate your stay beyond words.  You really don't ever need to leave Bird Island, but Elaine is there to assist with any excursion or desire.  She anticipates needs before they arise and goes above and beyond all expectations.  Warning, be prepared to never stay at a typical resort again because everything will pale in comparison.  We'll be back Bird Island! ☺️

Very unique place, kind of Gilligan's Island/glamping combo. Extremely clean, which is tough to do on an island 6 miles from shore! We had Elaine cook for us, definitely recommend her. Really made life much easier, and she is a good cook. She makes delicious pina colada's too. Fishing with Thurman was excellent, and he prepared the fish so Elaine could cook them for us. Kids loved the fishing. Kayaks and SUP's were nice, snorkeling around the island is very good. Just remember,  this is not the Four Seasons. It is an adventure! Fred, the owner, is fun to talk to and just a really nice guy.

What an amazing and unique experience, Bird Island was everything we hoped it would be! Rustic, charming, paradise all to ourselves!  You can tell this island is a true labor of love for Fred and his family. Fred was very helpful and responsive to any questions before we arrived in Belize. Once we arrived in Placencia, Leo continued the excellent service and communication. He was wonderful; helping with grocery shopping, fitting us with snorkeling gear, and getting us out to the island.  As soon as we arrived at Bird Island, Leo took us around and explained everything so we were comfortable.  We had the most amazing time swimming, snorkeling, fishing, incredible sunrises and sunsets, stargazing, and just enjoying the time to truly relax and disconnect.  If you ever wanted to have a truly private island experience and have a sense of adventure, Bird Island will not disappoint. I would say it is a trip of a lifetime, but we have every intention of going back.

The other reviews already say it all but I’ll echo them anyway. First, Fred was awesome to work with. He answered questions quickly leading up to our stay. He proactively gave advice about our trip including advice for things to do outside of our stay with him. This place is beautiful (more on that next) but Fred takes all of the effort out of planning and makes your stay great. Second, Elaine was an amazing cook for us. She was awesome to be around and gave lots of advice for areas to snorkel and more. We give our highest recommendation to hire her! You won’t have to worry about any meals! Lastly, the island… wow. What more can really be said about this paradise. Every part of it was beautiful. Our group enjoyed laying in the hammocks, snorkeling, fishing, reading, kayaking, and libations! We had faster internet than expected so we were able to FaceTime kids back home. Our recommendation is to not even think about it, book this place and book Elaine!!!!!!

Thank you James, especially the endorsement of Elaine, the cook. My wife, who happens to be at the level of a true chef, continually works with her. The option of having a cook is new for us and we are pleasantly surprised how much is being appreciated by our guests. Safe travels.

Bird Island was a wonderful experience. Highlights were the swings for the kids, stargazing each night, fishing with Thurman, snorkeling and just bumming around the beautiful island. Thank you!

Absolutely stunning experience. True sense of privacy in a beautiful, one of a kind island. Fred and his team made everything easy. Highly recommend fishing with Thurman - you'll likely have enough fresh mackerel, yellowtail, tuna, etc for your stay with one half-day of fishing. Plus Thurman's wife made an amazing spread of stewed chicken, fried plantains, coconut rice and beans, coleslaw, pickled chilis, onions & vinegar sauce, and a bread pudding dessert for the fishing trip (a lunch worth seeking out by itself, seriously). If you're a cook, the kitchen, bar and grills (charcoal & gas) on the island are well equipped to make the most of your catch & provisions (+ citrus juicers, cocktail shakers, good barware). The island itself is an ongoing labor of love; you feel it in a million unique touches. Plenty of fun water equipment to entertain yourself and the snorkeling is great. No annoying bugs. Just hermit crabs and pelicans and you on the island. GO!

Bird Island defied all of our expectations!  We celebrated our twins’ birthday there, and Ms.Ruth surprised us with decorations, candles, and two absolutely gorgeous cakes waiting in the dining area upon our arrival.  Miss Elaine is the BEST cook, and she introduced us to and spoiled us with her delicious Belizean dishes during our stay. We woke up to beautiful sunrises and fell asleep to the sound of the wind and waves. There was no shortage of fun activities to do every day and we didn’t want to leave!  We had a great day of fishing with Thurman who was very kind, knowledgeable, and patient. We can’t wait to get back to our new home away from home.  If you are looking for paradise then book a stay at Bird Island!

An amazing vacation, once-in-lifetime experience.  Best snorkeling I've ever seen.  Can't say enough about Fred and Ruth.  They went above and beyond to make sure we had everything we could ever want, even bringing us amenities we needed from town.  Must do fishing trip with Thurman.  Wish we would've stayed longer!

You know it's a great vacation when you're walking around enjoying your private island and talking about how all of the 5 star reviews make sense. It's beautiful, it's private, and it's amazing. We adored Elaine, our incredible chef who introduced us to Belize's fabulous cuisine. We snorkeled, paddle boarded, kayaked, ate, drank and were very merry. We had lovely sunsets spent on the hammocks. It was the vacation of a lifetime. We also had Seahorse Dive Shop pick us up for an excursion of diving, lunch and snorkeling at Laughing Bird Caye.

WOW. My friend group of 6 stayed at Bird Island for 4 days and we had an amazing, relaxing time. It truly is an oasis in the ocean. A few recommendations based on our experience: 1. Hire the cook (Elaine)! She was wonderful, cooked us 3 FULL meals plus snacks every day and gave us lots of tips for the reef and Belize travel in general. 2. If you hire Elaine, she will shop for all the food for the main dishes, you will shop for your own snacks/alcohol/etc. Her meals are so filling that you will not need as much food as you think! 3. Have Fred book you the local flight from BZE International to Placencia Airport. It is a huge time saver and a cool experience to take a prop plane over the Belize coast to Placencia. 4. “Walter” was our taxi driver from the Placencia airport to/from Fred’s shop. He asked for $30USD per way for our group of 6, but after he left a local at the airport told us it is only $15USD per way for any size group. Book Bird Island, you will not regret it!

As all reviews of the house say, the place is unique: to get a stay at an affordable price on a cute private island surrounded by a coral reef is a lifetime experience. We (5 persons) were on the island for a whole week; it was a well-spent time. We like the flexibility Fred and his family offer: almost anything (except, maybe, weather and rainfalls) can be arranged amicably. We snorkelled three-four times a day around the island. To snorkel an entire loop around the reef takes about two hours, which is plenty for everyone. We also went on two fishing trips with Thurman and caught enough fish to cook daily. That was an absolute delight; never miss such an opportunity. It was a dry season, so we used showers conservatively and yet, once, had to ask Fred for extra water. He came in no time - the mainland is 8 miles away - with 50 gallons barrels of water that he seamlessly pumped into the island water tanks. Drinking water was plentiful. The kitchen pantry is very well-packed.

Bird Island is for sure a one of a kind experience! You'll be spending your time  in the middle of the Caribbean Sea, surrounded by gorgeous clear water that is home to a beautiful coral reef. For the sun lovers, there is never a moment where you can't find a place to soak it in, and for shade lovers there are lots of umbrellas and overhanging roofs to protect. There is no shortage of water activities to do, from snorkeling to kayaking and paddle boarding. Or grab one of the many books that have been left there by other guests (including us :) and read or take a nap in a hammock! This off the grid paradise is family owned and Fred, Ruth, Leo and Thurman make you feel welcomed and well taken care of. It's a good idea to check with Fred before you food shop, there were plenty of oils, canned goods and things like peanut butter. If you expect lavish accommodations look elsewhere. Bird Island is for the adventurous traveler who loves a unique experience. We loved every minute of it.

Thank you so much for sharing your island paradise with us. What a special place you have created on Bird Island. Everything was truly perfect for our family adventure. Your attention to details is amazing. The kayaks, paddle boards, games, Ruth’s food, and overall design and decor were all unforgettable parts of our stay—along with our fishing with Thurman and snorkeling with Leo and Kaden. Every detail we could imagine was taken care of and the island had everything we could possibly want or need during our stay. Fred’s communication was excellent before our arrival and throughout our stay, making sure our needs were met at all times. How lucky we were to have discovered and spent time here. Much gratitude from our family!

Best vacation! No excursions needed, it's all there. Bird Island is a must for anyone who loves the water. A rare attainable private island paradise. It didn't take long to realize the “Gateway to Paradise” sign marked our path to the most breathtaking and abundant reef. Our family had a magical week snorkeling and paddle boarding, kayaking to the neighboring mangrove island, diving for lobster and conch, swinging in the hammocks while our Pelican friends fish all day, cooking fresh fish on the outdoor grill each evening followed by a visit from the local nurse sharks and rays, then gazing at the stars after lights out. Highlights of our five day stay were catching barracuda with Thurman, snorkeling the Silk Cayes with Hakeem and Orrie, those delicious lunches from Ruth, riding out an overnight rainstorm and waking up to rainbows over coffee. Our Bird Island experience was everything we didn't know we needed! Words really can't express how amazing. Thank you, Fred.

Best vacation of all time, even more wonderful than expected!! Words really can't express how amazing the experience was! Fred and his family were so nice and welcoming, we appreciate you sharing paradise with us!

I don't even know where to begin! Our family's best vacation ever!!! Fred helped us book our flight from Belize City right to Placencia, even dealing with our travel changes. So sweet and understanding! Leo was more than helpful and such a cool guy. He took us grocery shopping, took us to a local restaurant for dinner before heading to the island, and even became best of friends with our 5 year old! He wouldn't even hold our hand by the end of the day, "just Leo" lol Leo gave us a tour of the place in great detail to make sure we were nice and comfortable before heading out. We went fishing, snorkeling, cave tubing, saw the Mayan Ruins, hike through the jungle, and it was all arranged by their personal tour business (Privasea). Every morning we were able to watch the fish in the clear water, watch Pelicans dive for fish, and just RELAX. They seriously thought of ANY and EVERYTHING you might need while staying there. It was home away from home, but on an island!!! Thank you guys!!

Our Bird Island experience was fantastic from the moment we landed in Belize. Emilio arranged flights and made sure we had everything we needed to get to Placencia. Leo took it from there with groceries, beer and snorkelling gear.  We then had a beautiful boat ride to the island which was excellent. Thurman was a fantastic tour guide, he took us snorkelling, and fishing and provided us with a authentic Belize meal which was unreal!!!. The kitchen supplies and bathroom necessities were all a pleasant surprise. Communication between the team while we were on the island made everything super smooth. Bird island is super cool and Super unique from the sting rays and nurse sharks to the peacefulness of being secluded on a private island. Fred is a excellent host and we would definitely recommend this unique island.

Best vacation eve, Ruth and Fred really make you feel welcomed and help you in every possible way. I highly recommend them and we will definitely revisit 😊😊

A stay at Bird Island is hard to describe- something like Swiss Family Robinson meets Fantasy Island (Minus Mr Roark and Tattoo;)  Highlights of our stay: Leo helping us catch lobsters to cook for lunch on the outdoor grill and taking us out to the best snorkeling spot where we saw an octopus! Attempting to make fry jacks and eating them with homemade guava jelly left for us. Floating around the atoll and lazing in the hammocks. Morning coffee and tea in the comfy deck chairs by the bar. Riding out an all night thunder storm and living to tell about it ;) watching our two Pelican friends fish all day long... I could go on and on. Other reviews that talk about the helpful pantry, the amazing spaces etc are all true but for us number one it was feeling like we were part of the family. Leo and Elaine worked hard to do that for us and it was the secret ingredient to an already magical trip!

What an incredible experience. We stayed for 4 nights and it was perfect. The property far exceeded my expectations of cleanliness and was completely stocked with everything you could think of. There wasn’t once I looked for something and couldn’t find it. We arrived to the island a bit late on check in day as my husband didn’t want to take the small plane from Placencia so the water was a bit choppy getting to the island. If you’re scared of boats, especially in the dark, make sure you get to Placencia early enough to make the boat ride during the day. The boat ride leaving was perfect. We lost power one night, but I was able to get in touch quickly to find out how to fix it. We saw so many birds and lots of sea life while there. We had 3 large star fish hanging out around the island, saw an octopus and a large crab. When leaving, one person in our group took the plane but again my husband wanted to drive back. Being unable to find someone to drive us on a Sunday, Leo offered to take us for a reasonable fee. We are very grateful for his willingness to help. I’m impressed by the care and time taken by the family to make this experience so enjoyable!

Bird Island is gorgeous and secluded — and Fred and his team are very accommodating. We had a blast snorkeling, canoeing, and wild-life-spotting!

Bird Island is a piece of paradise where you can lose yourself in the Beauty, peace and serenity of nature all around you. Fred, Ruth and Leo were the kindest, thoughtful and most accommodating hosts.  They went above and beyond to ensure I had everything I needed to be comfortable during my stay. I can’t say enough about their generosity of heart and spirit, which can be felt around the island!

Bird Island is a truly magical experience. It is the most luxurious off-grid and austere experience you can get. To be able to walk in from snorkeling or kayaking, hike to a shower and make dinner was truly incredible. And unlike visiting a resort or other similar adventure, Bird Island is what you make of it. Want it to be a romantic retreat? Awesome, it’s private and secluded. Want it to be an outdoor retreat for a group of friends? Party on, and don’t be afraid of being loud! Seriously, if you’re on the fence, go ahead and hop off and have a blast!

A family/friend group of four spent six glorious days on Bird Island in July 2022.  If you want an amazing spot to enjoy the ocean with all its wonders, a bit of adventure along with unparalleled peace….this is your place!  We spent hours snorkeling, kayaking, swinging in the hammocks,  and listening/dancing to music. We only did one excursion during our stay and it was absolutely fabulous…..fishing with the amazing Thurman!  It’s a “must do” activity and not to be missed.  Kudos to Leo who executed our pickup and return flawlessly (boat ride in the rain to the island was an adventure in itself!). Our hosts, Ruth and Fred, were very helpful, responsive and gracious…..couldn’t deal with nicer people.  It really was a trip of a lifetime- just book it!

It’s hard to put in words to describe Birds Island. It is the most private place I’ve ever been. You have an entire island to yourself and no other island for miles. Some things I was concerned about was mosquitoes, heat and no ac. The bugs including noseeums were non existent. There was always a breeze and ac wasn’t necessary even during the day. We spent all of our time outside except for bedtime. Leo picked us up from the airport and took us to the produce stand and grocery store before heading the island. He was extremely accommodating. We stayed 3 days and we did a boat tour with their company, PRIVASEA ADVENTURES and Thurman (boat captain) was great! We caught enough fish and conch plus some to cook for every meal. A fishing tour with Privasea is a must. I typically get sea sick (from Florida) and I was not sick or nauseous once. We snorkeled every day around bird island. We saw so many fish, coral, conch and lobster. It was truly a once in a life time experience.

Like other reviewers have said, this place is simply amazing. To help others decide whether this is the place for them, I will try to address a couple angles that others haven't. First, this place is a great choice for a variety of physical abilities and ages! I have limited mobility and use a wheelchair for distances. Bird Island was relatively accessible. There are little steps all over the property, but the walkways are nice and smooth and level. There are at least three stairs to access any of the three bathrooms. One shower is nearly a walk-in, with a threshold of maybe five inches. I was traveling with two strong companions, so there were no problems, and a third companion who is elderly had no issues. Second, the snorkeling is great, but because you're out in the open ocean, there is definitely a current, so you need to be a strong swimmer. Same with kayaking - be prepared to use some muscle! The water was nice and warm, and hanging out in the inner fenced pool area was so fun. Third, although we enjoyed the Monkey River tour, we saw almost no animals, which was disappointing. Just manage your expectations. Fourth, really all you need to bring is a swimming suit. There are bottles of sunscreen and aloe, books, games, tons of food, nice snorkel and kayak equipment, towels, soap... just anything and everything you could need. Next time I'm showing up with a backpack with four bikinis in it and that's it! :)

Everything that everyone said was spot on! Fred and Ruth were amazing! Their home is a wonderful piece of paradise! They were so nice, accommodating, and made the best suggestions. We are a family of five which includes an 18 yr. old and (2) 27 year olds. The fishing tour we took with Thurman was awesome! We all caught several different kinds of fish and had plenty to eat. He was so helpful in teaching us how to properly fish as well as helping prepare the fish to eat. We took the two island tour with Akim. He was so knowledgeable on the history of Belize and really gave us a great time. His tricks to get the sea turtles, nurse sharks, and stingrays to come were amazing. All of the other tours around us were coming by us because they weren’t seeing anything as their tour guides did not do any special tricks. Once back inland we did a cave tubing tour that Ruth suggested and it was great. If you are thinking of booking, do not hesitate. It was an amazing trip that we will remember for a lifetime! Thank you Fred and Ruth! Your home was the highlight of our stay while in Belize!!!!!

If you are looking for a secluded, unique experience that includes lots of sunbathing, swimming, snorkeling while being surrounded by water and all its inhabitants without crowds or man made clocks this is for you! Our family enjoyed snorkeling and seeing the nurse sharks, rays, coral, the resident eel and octopus and well as the pelicans which dive for fish what seems like all day and of course our nightly hermit crab findings. We stayed 4 nights and felt this was the perfect amount of time for us before heading to another area in Belize. Booking a fishing trip with Thurman is a MUST in our opinion. This was truly a unique experience and gave us a chance to unwind and unplug. There is Wi-Fi but was used for mainly touching bases with family at home when needed only. Now please be prepared and understand this seclusion means a few things: You will be preparing your meals and cleaning up after yourself, unless you hire a chef. We needed all the beds for our family so this was not possible and really that would take away from the privacy in my opinion. Also because it is self contained there was electricity and water issues. These were addressed as they came up in a prompt manner, however, be prepared for these things as this is not some high end all inclusive luxury resort. We embraced this as part of the experience. Thank you Fred, Ruth, Leo, and Thurman for this experience!!!!!

A one-of-a-kind, must-do, beautiful, amazing, fun and relaxing vacation stay! Fred and the entire crew were so welcoming and accommodating! Amazing service and so friendly! The island has everything you could want. Complete privacy as needed, and lots of entertainment options if you want. You can go on any or all of the unique tours provided, and you can also just chill on the island with zero interruptions. Here’s a brief layout of the bedroom spaces: 1. A bedroom off the kitchen with private bath. 2. A bedroom with private bath tucked behind the building with the kitchen. 3. A bedroom with private bath upstairs over the bar area. 4. A bedroom (no bath) just off of the bar area. We saw so much wildlife while on the island and snorkeling and kayaking around the island: pelicans, hermit crabs, nurse shark, rays, octopi, a moray eel, barracuda, needle fish, bioluminescent jellyfish, conch. There’s a little yellow bird with a beautiful song who lives on the island. And I’m probably forgetting some! There are plenty of spaces to spread out, like the pagoda area with table, the swings, the hammock platform and more. There are also great communal spaces like the bar and table area and a picnic table. Here are the tours we did: Fishing: Not all of us are fishers, so 4 out of 6 of us did the fishing tour. We had plenty of fish to eat for most of our stay. We caught barracuda, mackerel and snappers. The lunch provided was so good! Silky caye/laughing bird combo snorkeling. Silky caye was so fun swimming with a sea turtle, nurse sharks, and rays. Laughing bird was an amazing snorkeling tour of the reef where our guide pointed out all sorts of fish, and corral. We had a yummy lunch too! Monkey river: this was a super unique experience. our tour guide grew up in monkey river. He told us a bit about the history of the surrounding towns and we even had a delicious meal in the village. We saw howler monkeys, lots of flora and plants, and had a wonderful time. One recommendation for getting to Placentia. On the way in, we booked a shuttle from the Belize airport to placentia because we were wary of the small airplanes and some of us get motion sick. I do not recommend driving. It was a very long drive and we definitely got motion sickness. On the way out, we booked an airplane ride from placentia to the Belize airport. I highly recommend skipping the shuttle and taking a plane. Leo arranged a ride to take us to the placentia airstrip and even made sure someone at the Belize airport was expecting us. All in all, this is a bucket list type of vacation and we are excited to return! A unique outdoor-type living experience. Thank you so much to Fred and everyone we met!

Like all the other reviewers we can't recommend a trip to Bird Island more highly.  The island and setting is perfect and Fred is a wonderful host.  The best decision we made was hiring Elaine to cook.  She did so much more than cook and clean up after dinner.  She prepared the menus and did the shopping at both the vegetable market and grocery store (one of our party went with her to pick up some additional items and to pay for the groceries) which saved us time and money.  She was an excellent cook of traditional Belizean dishes which we requested.  One day she went snorkeling with us and harvested enough conch to prepare for dinner.  Because of her knowledge of the island and surrounding waters we saw more wildlife, including manatees, a moray eel that lives under the dock, nurse sharks that came up to the dock when she chummed the water while cleaning fish we caught with her help.  We all agreed this was our most relaxing vacation.  We hope to return in the near future.

The space is one-of-a-kind. Bird Island has comfortable sleeping accommodations, a fully stocked kitchen, activities galore, and every amenity you'll need for your stay. But, the hosts are the reason you should book - Ruth and Fred are communicative, professional, and warm. 100/10 recommend.

It's hard to put into words how incredible our adventure on Bird Island was. Prior to our stay here, we spent five days on another private island (Little Peter Oasis) and while it was great to be waited on by staff, Bird Island was without comparison. There is something spectacularly liberating about being completely alone on your little piece of heaven. Not to mention you can be naked ALL THE TIME! LOL My wife and I came across the karaoke machine in the kitchen one night... Needless to say, EVERY night was karaoke night. The reef was breathtaking, the nights were romantically spooky, and filled with lots of rum and reenacting scenes from castaway. Every single thing about Bird Island was exceptionally well-thought-out. Fred, Ruth, Leo, Thurman, you guys have created something truly spectacular and we are endlessly grateful to you for sharing it with us and the world. We look forward to coming back in the future when we have kids and reminiscing on our memories and making new ones! Thank you for everything! Kyler & Kaitlyn

Fred and family were amazing hosts and Bird Island is a dream vacation spot! We had the best time. They picked us up in Placencia, took us to the Privasea shop to pick up some snorkeling equipment, boated us to and from this island, got us set up a fishing excursion with Thurman at Privasea, and arranged transportation to where we were staying after the island. They did it all! Fred was very response leading up to and during our stay on Bird Island. Ruth had the kitchen pantry stocked and the island looking beautiful. Leo was a great guide to and from the island and making sure we had everything we needed for our stay, and Thurman was an awesome fishing tour guide. I would highly recommend this place if you enjoy snorkeling, fishing, and hanging out with just your friends.

Unbelievable experience! I cannot say enough wonderful things about this unique property, this beautiful country, and its wonderful people. Fred and his family have this entire experience SO dialed in! They have thought of everything and were so accommodating, quick to respond, courteous and professional… just AMAZING! The tours offered off bird island were phenomenal and the wildlife is spectacular! We snorkeled, kayaked, Swung on the swings for hours at a time:) Consider yourself one of the luckiest of people- if you are able to book this fantastic property! Thank you so much for sharing, Fred & family…

This place is so sweet. Perfect place for a chill and private vacation away from the chaos of the world. We booked in May of 2018 and it was so so so worth the wait. The bar, the swim up area, the extra cabana, all of it were awesome additions, with so much care and thought put in. Part of our group had major flight delays that caused us to come a day late, but Fred took care of it all, coming two separate days to pick us up and take us out to the island. Easy peasy. Fred, Ruth, Leo, Thurman, and the rest of the Bird Island crew were so fantastic and were amazing at communicating with us and responding to our needs (and we were needy at times haha). The other reviews really say it all, but words truly can't fully describe the place. Book it. Take a tour (fishing was awesome and we had so much to eat it was insane). This crew knows how to treat you well and it truly is the best deal around.

If you’re looking for a private full service resort, look elsewhere. If you’re looking for the most charming Glamping experience ever, you’ve hit the jackpot. This property is surrounded 360 degrees by a fabulous healthy thriving coral reef. It’s picturesque and nearly perfect. One week wasn’t enough. Fred, the owner could also not have been more helpful. I would definitely go back.

We were two couples who had a relatively short stay at Bird Island, but like other reviewers, we loved every minute of it. We experienced every type of weather imaginable while we there and found that we didn’t mind the occasional (or frequent) rain storm. The skies always cleared up and snorkeling in the rain was just as much as fun as in the sun. There was plenty of space for the four of us to relax individually if we wanted. The kitchen and drinking water were well stocked and the freezer and coolers kept our ice cold for several days. Leo and Fred went over everything with us before we were left alone on the island, and everything was straightforward to use. The snorkeling around the island is phenomenal and so convenient. When you want to snorkel, simply put on your gear and head northwest from the swings and you’ll be surrounded by coral and fish. The reef forms a ring around the island and the “Blue Hole”, and we found plenty to explore over multiple days. We caught fish and conch in the area around the island and will definitely try the fishing excursion the next time. The seclusion of staying at Bird Island is unique. It was incredible to have nearly every comfort of home without any noise or interruption from the outside world. It’s a magical place and we will be back!

Wow! What a dream vacation! We loved every single minute on the island. A whole week was definitely enough time to relax, snorkel, fish, kayak, sun bathe and spend time with loved ones. We loved cooking up delicious meals in the very well stocked & supplied kitchen. The view from the upstairs suite is mind blowing. Our group of 5 had plenty of spots to have to ourselves, if we needed it, but we never did 😉. We mostly hung out on the huge deck and bar area every day and evening. We loved the thoughtful touches all over. The snorkeling would’ve been better if it wasn’t so windy. Fred, Ruth and Leo were great hosts that helped with anything we needed during the week. You’ll definitely need a mid week ice run. We look forward to coming back in the future.

We had a great honeymoon! We wanted to be off the grid and this was the perfect place to do it. We had a couple of minor issues and they were addressed immediately. Everyone was very helpful and the shopping process was very easy. If you are looking for luxury don't waste your time. If you are looking to get away from crowds and have everything you could need on your own Island this is where you want to go. We wish we could have stayed another week. We will definitely be back.

Absolutely amazing! The stay was way better than we could have ever expected. Had a great time snorkeling and kayaking with lots of colorful fish and wildlife to look at. The island really had everything you could have asked for and everything was very thoughtfully set up.

Always an awesome and too quick four days.  One of my go to places to get away.  Snorkeling is world class 👍

The house was absolutely incredible and exceded all of our expectations! The communication was prompt and clear from the beginning to end. We loved the boat ride out, our time at the house, the snorkeling trip with Leo that included a delicious lunch made by Ruth. We saw sharks, sea turtles and stingrays. The snorkeling around the house was fabulous as well!!!! I literally can't say enough great things about this experience and about this family. It was everything and more and we can't wait to do it again! Susan + Kiley

As noted in many other reviews, Bird Island is an amazing getaway, you're own private island surrounded by stunning reef to keep guests amazing for hours with the abundance of wildlife and live vibrant coral! Snorkeling equipment and extra sunblock at the ready too! Ruth, her daughter, Leo, and Francois were all super helpful and accommodating to our needs while on the island. They even surprised us with a cake to celebrate my sister's birthday! The kitchen and bar are well stocked and there is a ton of extra pantry items to ensure great meals. Sunsets were beautiful from the bar every night, highlighted by pelican feeding time all day. That said, we did have a few challenges during our stay most likely caused by the storms we had most nights of our trip. The power went out several times, luckily there was a generator to help with that once we figured out how to get it running. Also, there was an issue with the water pump, leaving us without running water for a day and a half so no showers and a challenge to do dishes. Fortunately there is water coolers so we had drinking water. Finally, we were thrilled to have access to 4 kayaks to cruise the surrounding area but there was only one functional paddle so we couldn't all go out together. Overall, still a truly unique and awesome experience that we all enjoyed, with a little maintenance this place would be 5 stars again!

This is an awesome place to stay. Every review before this is true and accurate. The one surprise for us was how beautiful and amazing snorkeling was. We found that if you go straight out the swing set area and veer left go almost to the blue edge of the water, it is most amazing in that area. You have to get past the low grass area. If you are not that adventurous, the shallow swim area Fred has created, has more fish than you can imagine. There were about 5 starfish in the area also. It was an amazing aquatic area. The next amazing site was the endangered (please don't kill) nurse fish. We had a family of 3 visit us every night by the boat dock. We would sit there and feed them fish from our fishing trip. We saw a sting ray and small octopus there also. Next amazing activity was the fishing trip that Fred recommends. Adrian and AJ were our captain and 1st mate and they are determined to get you fish. They took us so many spots. It was a blast. They took us to a snorkeling area and a turtle area also. We caught lobster, jack, barracuda, etc. We had plenty to eat and feed the nurse sharks. We have been on 3 other fishing trips in the USA, but by far, this was the best one. We were worried about how much food and water to bring. Leo helped with the grocery planning and what to bring and not worry about. There is plenty of water on the island. They provide 5 gallon jugs set up like culligan water in the kitchen and at the bar. He had us bring some bottled water also. We drank it, but could have been fine with what they provided. They had a fridge in the kitchen and 2 yeti coolers at the bar. We brought 3-4 bags of ice and this was perfect for 4 days. They had cooking oils, cereals, cake mixes, seasoning, cans of every bean, mushroom, corn, tomatoes, etc. They even had the water flavor packets. No matter how many reviews you read, the experience is 10x better.

Awesome experience. One of a kind. Haven’t seen reef that amazing in a long time. Will definitely be back. Perfect for our family of four; three couples would be great too. Kitchen is megastocked. Ruth and co. were so helpful getting us everything we needed. Some highlights: cool color changing octopus in the lagoon visited, no bugs, beautiful views on all sides, my daughter collected sea stars and put them in the lagoon, “Nico” the pelican hung out with us everyday, lobster, conch, fresh fish we caught and ate everyday. Just book it.

Those four years of waiting really tried my patience but damn it, it was worth the wait. We couldn’t have been more impressed or satisfied with our experience. We were originally scheduled to visit in March of 2020 but then Rona... We had to reschedule twice but the process and communication was alway so easy. Fred and Ruth answered all my questions and kept me informed on everything as it was changing. IT IS WORTH THE WAIT! The island was incredible. It was the perfect spot to relax, play, disconnect, have fun…just amazing. We had four people in our party and there was more than enough space for all of us. All of the cabanas were so cool. The kitchen was stocked with everything we could have needed and had a few things we forgot to grab which was so helpful. Leo and Francois were fantastic. We loved their snorkel tour and getting to know them. Good guys right there! Very attentive, fun, and helped with anything we needed. We also really loved Hakeem’s fishing tour and Monkey River Cruise. His knowledge of the area and its history was very impressive. We loved his humor and hearing of his experiences growing up in Belize. Ruth…your food on the excursion *chefs kiss* I will dream of your bread pudding for the rest of my life. I 100000% recommend Bird Island to everyone. It is worth every penny spent and every second of waiting.

Bird Island is a truly unique experience. Our family travels often and loves the ocean. When I found the listing for Bird Island, I knew it was right up our alley. At first, some of the family was a bit skeptical about what we would do there for five nights being all alone. But boy, those five nights vanished quickly and we were left wishing we had more. Each day we rose with the sun and our days were filled with kayaking, fishing, snorkeling, napping in the hammocks, and just being together as a family. We caught fish, lobsters, and crab that we enjoyed for dinner. We say many species of fish, nurse sharks, spotted eagle rays, octopus, eels, and stunning coral and sea fans. The island has all of the items that are needed. We enjoyed a fire at night, played games, and were able to relax after a stressful year. During our time there, we celebrated our 20th anniversary and we were so touched when Ruth sent out a cake for us to enjoy. The memories we made at Bird Island will be forever cherished. Thank you for sharing your beautiful island with us. I will hold onto the stunning vision of the sunsets and sounds of the wind, birds, and gentle waves until I return again.

Our family of 6 (kids aging from 11-18) travels quite a bit, and this was probably the most unique, adventurous, and amazing trip we’ve had. If you love the ocean and snorkeling and the outdoors and hate crowds this is like Disneyland meets National Geographic. We spent hours each day just snorkeling the amazing reef right there on the island. We saw numerous types of fish, lobsters, stingray, eagle rays, nurse sharks, barracuda, starfish, eels, and almost anything else you can think of. The kayaking was really fun, as long as the wind and currents weren’t too strong. At night we sat around and played games, talked, and laughed. Everything you hope your family would do. They do a great job of trying to think of everything on the island that you might need. Including extra food, snorkel gear, fishing gear, local cell phone, wifi (that was sufficient for basic needs), and first aid kits (yes we had to use it). Fred and his family were amazing communicators and super responsive. We never felt like we couldn’t get any answers or clarification or assistance. Getting there we took a shuttle van down and stopped at Bluehole national Park. I suggest carving out some time to tube the cave there. Looked incredible and it’s on the way and probably an hour stop. We then flew back and despite it being a small plane I was impressed with the pilot and it saved a ton of time with great views. The reality is, if you’re looking for a five-star resort with catered meals and room service, this is not it. But if you want a completely unique experience where it feels like you’re on a world-class, all day snorkeling excursion everyday with amazing ocean life, and random adventures waiting and a unique experience that you or your friends and family will never forget I can’t imagine a better place.

We waited 2.5 years for this trip (had to reschedule due to Covid) -it was everything we imagined and more! We look forward to our next stay at Bird Island. Thank you Fred, Ruth, Leo and the whole family for taking such good care of us. All the love and care you put into BI is felt and will not be forgotten. Notes for travelers. -Was completely comfortable for 4 people -place is well stocked as noted -Bring as much ice as you can -Kick back and soak it all in! It goes way too fast :)

Great relaxing time at Bird Island, spectacular snorkeling around the atoll and relaxing afternoons in the hammocks watching the pelicans fish!

Every review you’ve seen expressing how awesome this place is, is 100% true. TRUE PARADISE with A1 hospitality, from the pickups, to the shopping, to the fishing tips, to the warm smiles and good vibes —- everything was great. I went with a group of friends and we definitely regretted not staying longer. I won’t take up anymore space here but Bird Island, I will be back. THANK YOU!

Bird island is truly a special place. This is our second time coming and we will be back for sure! The island has everything you could need and more. It’s comfortable, beautiful and full of fun things to do if you are up for adventure. We opted to have someone cook and clean while we were there which truly elevated the whole experience. Tasha cooked amazing food and quickly became part of the family. Fred is an amazing host and quick to respond to all my questions. Can’t wait to come back!

Fred is a complete superhost. Bird Island was everything we expected and just a bit more. This was our 20th anniversary and a 50th birthday celebration, so it needed to be really special for just the two of us. We've already booked our return for March 2022. Our kids are pretty lucky they'll be coming next time.

Great time.  Great place.  Pictures are very accurate.

We just completed our third trip to Bird Island, and it continues to deliver a truly remarkable and very special experience. If you are looking for the ultimate destination to disconnect and reset, this is the place. Fred, Ruth and Leo are wonderful hosts who have thought of everything guests will need. We were picked up at our hotel, taken to get groceries from a well-stocked store and local produce stand. Once on the island, we loved seeing all of the additions that have been added over the years. We spent our days snorkeling and reading, but the hosts can arrange fishing trips and other activities if needed. The island has everything you could possibly need. We look forward to returning with our little one :)

I think all the reviews below pretty much say it all. The pictures don’t do it justice. The snorkeling is unreal. And true serenity that comes with being out in the middle of the Caribbean can’t be accurately put into words. I don’t think I’ve ever felt such sadness when leaving an AirBnb. My girlfriend and I will miss it that much. Fred was also a great host. We had some flight complications that led us to have to change our travel itinerary and Fred was great at working with us and being flexible. That on top of the grocery shopping and getting COVID tests on the mainland was all a breeze. We will certainly be back!

The option to leave a public response finally came back after your review Eric, it mysteriously comes and goes. Of course, it was our supreme pleasure to host you Eric (and Madison).  When Covid-19 hit almost a year ago and just about everyone that was suppose to come in 2020 simply moved into the future, it did filled us with renewed hope and we worked tirelessly for 9 straight months to make Bird island twice as good and always with an article of faith that our guests coming would appreciate our efforts. We could already see that is what has happened; but we are not stopping, if anything because we love what we do and really appreciate our guests. To you Eric (and to recent guests Chris, Mike, Melissa, Jane) we humbly say thank you.

If you could imagine complete solitude with the best feeling of relaxation, you would be at Bird Island. If you want a host that is willing to go above and beyond to make sure you have everything you need to have a wonderful experience then Fred and Ruth are it! Bird Island was a trip three years in the making for us and I can honestly say a trip of a lifetime. https://youtu.be/QvV11TwxTdk

This place is amazing.   Ruth and Fred leave no stone unturned.   Awesome snorkeling along the whole outside of the ring of the deep water.   Make sure you use the motorized scooters to snorkel they eliminate your need for a life vest.    This place is so amazing.   We traveled with six of us and we all thouroughly enjoyed this vacation.   Make sure you take a fishing trip with Thurman he is the fish whisperer.   We had enough fish for three nights of meals and he prepped and fileted it on the spot.   This was our favorite vacation ever!!!!

We had a bit of unfortunate weather during our stay (heavy winds and rain), but we still had an AMAZING time! The beautiful views, pelican watching, hammock naps, fishing off the dock and snorkeling on the calm side were still enjoyable. It was so nice to be on the ocean and relax without emails or phone calls. We will definitely return for some more 'decompression' time. Thank you for being such a wonderful host!

Where to begin? Bird Island is quite simply the most exceptional, first-rate, tranquil, delightful, amazing place for a vacation. The surrounding reef is breathtaking with an array of hard and soft corals, beds of turtle grass, carpet anemones galore, tons (literally) of fish, jellies and so much more. With shallow waters leading to a dropoff, the snorkeling experience is superlative! The one and two-person kayaks available on the island offer additional ways to explore the surrounding waters. And the accommodations on the island itself – one could not ask for anything more! Ruth and Fred’s attention to detail is astonishing. From a well-stocked pantry to flashlights located exactly where needed to navigate through the nighttime hermit crabs, there is no feature lacking. The bar area provides a great gathering place for drinks, food, fun and games as well as a grill for cooking the fresh fish caught right from the dock. Two Yeti coolers offer plenty of space for ice to keep all your selected beverages cold and ready to go. The kitchen is fully furnished with everything needed to create whatever meals you desire. The new electric refrigerator/freezer has plenty of space for all your needs. The dining room table is available for “inside” events in the case of rain or higher winds (we did need to use it one night when playing cards to prevent the cards from blowing away). In short, if you think you forgot to bring something, don’t worry – you will find it on the island! The 4 bedrooms have plenty of windows to catch the prevailing winds – Mother Nature’s air-conditioning- and the beds are quite comfortable. Two of the bedrooms have attached bathrooms with great showers. There is an additional outdoor shower and tap by the bar for rinsing off after being in the ocean. There are so many “secluded” spots on the island to catch a quick nap, eat, read or just relax – from the gazebo over the water to the hammocks on the deck , the picnic table, the benches along the dock – too many to mention! We had an absolutely wonderful family vacation on Bird Island with our two grown children and daughter-in-law. Fred and Ruth are superb hosts and made us feel like family. We will be back!

Had a great time all around.  Highly recommended!

10 out of 5 stars. Not if you’re looking for a private island with a butler. This is an awesome no one else around kind of getaway. Fred, Ruth and Leomar are awesome, helpful hosts. And Thurman is the man to fish with. (If you go fishing with him, wait for the fish cleaning. And the chum hole magic.) Kitchen is way better stocked than you’d expect on an atoll (we even made a carrot cake!) I’d advise that you doublecheck prices (as season and number of guests boosted the “front page” rate, understandably), and the Privasea website may not be up to date (also understandably, as they’re busy taking care of guests and clients). Fishing and snorkeling tours with Privasea are fantastic (shout out to Ori, too). And while hauling seawater to flush your toilet may need to happen, it’s so worth it. Fly fishing on the atoll is priceless. Go, even if just for the chum hole.

We just redid the water-tank platform in the back before you folks arrived,  the tank just needed to be raised another foot and presto. What a great catch by Mike fishing with Thurman - a 50lb tarpon as a bonus! Safe journeys.

So much has been said about Bird Island, so I won't bother repeating what others have said. If you like adventure, you'll have a ball. We spent six nights. The first 30 minutes I was terrified by the length. By the end, we could have stayed another week.

Yes. It really is everything you thought it would be and more. The experience of a lifetime.

4BR Villa