Diving Belize

Hello,

I am interested in taking a dive trip to Belize and was
hoping to glean some information from anyone who has dove there. I am
looking for information such as where to/not to stay, dive operators
to dive with/avoid, and good dive sites. Any help would be
appreciated.

Lisa

On Feb 20, 5:58*pm, divebug <dive...@msn.com> wrote:
> Hello,
>
> * * * * * *I am interested in taking a dive trip to Belize andwas
> hoping to glean some information from anyone who has dove there. I am
> looking for information such as where to/not to stay, dive operators
> to dive with/avoid, and good dive sites. Any help would be
> appreciated.

Why Belize? Ask yourself that so you know what you're looking for in
a dive trip. The best diving in Belize is off the atolls, best done
from a liveaboard. Obviously, however, a week on a liveaboard means a
week stuck on a boat rather than having the freedom to hang out in
restaurants, bars, clubs, beaches, hotels, etc. Are you more
interested in the ultimate diving or a well-rounded vacation?

[scraig]

Originally Posted by divebug

Hello,

I am interested in taking a dive trip to Belize and was
hoping to glean some information from anyone who has dove there. I am
looking for information such as where to/not to stay, dive operators
to dive with/avoid, and good dive sites. Any help would be
appreciated.

Lisa

I just got back from there--everything is relative to your experience but we thought the diving was great. Used Amigos Del Mar--by far the best local dive shop. They keep your gear and load and unload it on the boats and pull it out of the water for you. If you like to prep your own gear it will bug you a little but nothing you can't live with.

We stayed at the Mayan Princess in San Pedro--it is right on the beach 50 yards from the dive shop--they have combo packages for 1 week for $1k if you dive with Amigos. No frills like a pool etc... but clean and convenient. This included 2 tank dives daily and a trip to the Blue Hole. We took extra trips out to Turneffe Elbow as well---best diving is in this area----you might consider Turneffe Lodge if you don't mind living on small island for a week.

Best meals we had were at a restaurant called the Wild Mango.

On Feb 21, 7:29*pm, Greg Mossman <moss...@qnet.com> wrote:
> On Feb 20, 5:58*pm, divebug <dive...@msn.com> wrote:
>
> > Hello,
>
> > * * * * * *I am interested in taking a dive trip to Belize and was
> > hoping to glean some information from anyone who has dove there. I am
> > looking for information such as where to/not to stay, dive operators
> > to dive with/avoid, and good dive sites. Any help would be
> > appreciated.
>
> Why Belize? *Ask yourself that so you know what you're looking for in
> a dive trip. *The best diving in Belize is off the atolls, best done
> from a liveaboard. *Obviously, however, a week on a liveaboard means a
> week stuck on a boat rather than having the freedom to hang out in
> restaurants, bars, clubs, beaches, hotels, etc. *Are you more
> interested in the ultimate diving or a well-rounded vacation?

Belize is one of the few places I have always wanted to dive but never
made it there. I know the diving is much better off of a liveaboard
however; I do not like being stuck on a boat. My idea of a vacation is
to do 3 or 4 dives per day and spend the rest of the time relaxing. I
do enjoy places that have decent bars and clubs but it's not really
necessary because I don't drink much if I'm diving in the morning.

Lisa

On Feb 21, 10:54 pm, divebug <dive...@msn.com> wrote:
> On Feb 21, 7:29 pm, Greg Mossman <moss...@qnet.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> > On Feb 20, 5:58 pm, divebug <dive...@msn.com> wrote:
>
> > > Hello,
>
> > > I am interested in taking a dive trip to Belize and was
> > > hoping to glean some information from anyone who has dove there. I am
> > > looking for information such as where to/not to stay, dive operators
> > > to dive with/avoid, and good dive sites. Any help would be
> > > appreciated.
>
> > Why Belize? Ask yourself that so you know what you're looking for in
> > a dive trip. The best diving in Belize is off the atolls, best done
> > from a liveaboard. Obviously, however, a week on a liveaboard means a
> > week stuck on a boat rather than having the freedom to hang out in
> > restaurants, bars, clubs, beaches, hotels, etc. Are you more
> > interested in the ultimate diving or a well-rounded vacation?
>
> Belize is one of the few places I have always wanted to dive but never
> made it there. I know the diving is much better off of a liveaboard
> however; I do not like being stuck on a boat. My idea of a vacation is
> to do 3 or 4 dives per day and spend the rest of the time relaxing. I
> do enjoy places that have decent bars and clubs but it's not really
> necessary because I don't drink much if I'm diving in the morning.
>
> Lisa

Then go south, or to the central, offshore cayes. I'm not a big fan
of Ambergris; my favorite caye is South Water Caye but the dive op
there sucks now. You can use the skiffs at IZE on that island,
though. The farther south you go, the more expedition-like your
diving becomes, although the DM's do like to dive and can be coaxed to
show you their secret favorite spots, like little shark holes that the
tourist-trap operators don't bother with. The reef is also more
pristine there, so if you don't mind roughing it a bit for your own
private beach and a Belikan, you might like it better off the beaten
track.

*

"divebug" <divebug@msn.com> wrote in message
news:cd30c040-7489-467b-9cdb-351185830c18@u72g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
> Hello,
>
> I am interested in taking a dive trip to Belize and was
> hoping to glean some information from anyone who has dove there. I am
> looking for information such as where to/not to stay, dive operators
> to dive with/avoid, and good dive sites. Any help would be
> appreciated.

Lisa,

I spend a lot of time on Ambergris Caye, Belize. I've got a couple hundred
or more dives there. I've been in the Blue Hole 7 or 8 times. I just
returned from my latest trip on Tuesday. Normally, I don't hold much when
people say "Believe me" but in this case, believe me, I can help you. :^)

Where in Belize were you thinking you'd like to go? Do you want to stay out
at an Atoll and a dedicated dive resort? Do you want to stay in town close
to many restaurants and clubs? Would you prefer to have access to town but
be in a more quiet spot?

What kind of diving have you done in the past?

Do you like to have a kitchenette or is a standard hotel room adequate? Do
you like to have a swimming pool or is it not necessary? What is your
budget? Are you going as a single or with friend(s)?