Belize has a little bit of everything for everyone! Jungles (safaris), Mayan ruins (history), Beaches (sun), Fishing (fun) and Great Scuba diving.

  Located just south of Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula, Belize is home to the second largest barrier reef in the world (Australia is first). While the mainland holds the Mayan past, the southern coast and the outlining atolls holds the spectacular scuba diving undersea world. Belize’s charm is held in their people’s way of life and their genuine friendly attitudes.

  Belize has four major outlying atolls that produce the best scuba diving locations: Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker, Glover’s Reef, Lighthouse Reef, Turneffe Islands. Belize’s multiple shallow reefs are the saving grace from the "cruise ship crunch" that have spoiled other Caribbean islands.

  The focus of this article will be on Ambergris Caye, the largest and most populated of the islands. To this day, the airport runway is the only pavement found on Ambergris Caye. Once off the "puddle jumper" flight from Belize City you traverse the only three dirt roads of San Pedro via foot, bicycle, golf cart or moped having to dodge only a few autos to make your way to your hotel accommodations.

  Thus starts the charm and wonders of San Pedro.

Scuba:

Now the best part of Belize THE DIVING….

  The reef is only minutes from San Pedro, within view from the dive operations’ docks. For in-shore diving most operations run smaller boats so the crowded dive sites are avoided. My buddy and I have been the only ones out on numerous dives with the Dive Master as our "private chaperone". There is no wall diving off Ambergris Caye which making it excellent for the beginners or novice divers. Sea life abounds, on my third dive in 1989 I spotted a huge spotted Eagle Ray, still have not forgotten it !! Sponges and corals of all types are seen, offset by spectacularly colored Caribbean fish seen through crystal clear 100+ foot visibility water.

CHECK IT OUT ON  VIDEO

  A Belize dive trip would not be complete without experiencing the awesome spectacle of the outer reefs. There are day and overnight trips on larger boats (35+ foot) from San Pedro to Lighthouse and Turnaffe Reefs. This pristine diving is world famous and deserves all it’s accolades. As special as Ambergris Caye diving is, THE BEST diving is on the outer reefs. A giant stride, decent to a 40 foot sandy bottoms and a short swim opens to spectacular shear wall diving. Over the edge, pick your depth, you will now experience a breath-taking scuba diving trip of a lifetime.

    Located off  Lighthouse reef is the original "Blue Hole" dive site.  A flooded cave whose ceiling has fallen to its 450' bottom, opening massive stalactites at a depth of 120'. This is a must do dive for  experienced divers, you can see it on the video.

The Video Is Awesome

Mostly untouched, these outer reef dive sites are most frequented by the Belize Aggressor and Peter Hughes Wave Dancer "live-aboard" operations. I've  thoroughly enjoyed a seven day stayed on the Belize Aggressor and toured the Wave Dancer and am convinced that for a "Dive Only" vacation this is the only way to travel… Was able to dive and video a wild dolphin affectionately named "Honey" and toured the magnificent stalactites of "The Blue Hole"

YOU HAVE TO SEE THE VIDEO TO BELIEVE IT !!!

Rating: (3-1/2 Flags) (Ambergris Caye rates 2-1/2)

Hot-Points:

EXCELLENT DIVING (Especially on the outer reefs)

GOOD Beginner/Novice Location

LOCAL CHARM (Never met friendlier people)

PERSONALIZED DIVE OPERATIONS (Tailored to your time frames)

TOTAL RELAXATION (No hassles, you can leave your watch home)

ENGLISH is official language CURRENCY ($2Beize:$1US)

 

Lessor-Points:

NO BIG NIGHT LIFE

NO FANCY HOTELS (You'll be cared for but not spoiled)

FEW ACTIVITIES (other than Scuba on the islands)