best part of Belize to dive?

"Lee Bell" <pleebell2@bellsouth.net> wrote in message
news:UCGEf.14119$vp6.1847@bignews6.bellsouth.net.. .

> Shore diving?

Doesn't compare to boat diving the same reef, unless one really likes
surface swims and sand in his gear. Even in Bonaire, boat diving the sites
can be preferable since you don't have to worry about your stuff getting
stolen.

> Unlimited use of showers?

I've never been on a liveaboard that didn't. The good ones have warm
showers w/shampoo placed right at the ladders so you can have your suit off
and be clean within a few minutes of your ascent. And they hand you a warm
towel.

> The ability to drive to someplace that does have something other than
> diving to do (I assume)?

Drive from Lighthouse Reef? Here's a picture:
http://www.lighthousereefresort.com/

Do you see any bridges?

According to the website, this is what you can do when you're not diving:

"We welcome non-diver friends and family too! The water is warm, clear and
calm. Guests enjoy snorkeling and swimming and revel in the enchanted marine
life. There are plenty of hammocks to enjoy a good book; kayaks to explore
lagoons; and jungle areas to photograph sea birds and tropical flowers.
Saltwater fly fish (permit, tarpon, and bone) or catch a fish for dinner.
Our cook loves to cook fresh fish! Or...... just do nothing."

So you can sit in a hammock, crawl around in the jungle, or . . . just do
nothing. Meanwhile you're getting eaten by bugs. Belize is a malarial
country and that lush atoll jungle looked mighty buggy to me.

In any case, it's a moot point for now. The website also notes that the
place is closed until 2008 for rebuilding. In Belizean time, that's more
like 2010. See you there in a few years. I'll be the one mooning you from
the liveaboard moored offshore.

> I like liveaboard diving OK, but I usually prefer land based
> accommodations. That may be because I can do liveaboard trips on my own
> boat.

Give me a holler next time you're taking your boat down to Belize, after you
get a water maker that allows for unlimited showers.