| |
|
General Info
| Dive/Accommodations
| Travel/Tips
|
Belize offers all ranges
of diving - from shore diving in shallow water to the Great
Blue Hole at over 200 feet (61m) deep.
The Belize Barrier Reef spans 185 miles (297 km) of coast with
the largest barrier reef in the Western hemisphere. Dive sites
are located inside and outside of the reef. Outside the reef,
look for spur and groove formations - narrow canyons of corals.
Inside the reef, patch reefs are covered with hundreds of brightly
colored fish and coral species.
Belize boasts three offshore atolls: Turneffe, Glover's Reef
and Lighthouse Reef. Together they easily provide more than
a hundred dive and snorkeling sites. Lighthouse atoll is where
you will find the famous Blue Hole, with a depth of 480 feet
and stalagtites at 130 feet.
Great diving can be found from the mainland or from a number
of resorts on the tiny islands offshore.
Most of the Belize marine ecosystem is protected under World
Heritage Sites and because of this, the diving remains pristine.
Climate Annual Mean
Temp 79F 26C Water Temps 75 - 84F 24 - 29C
Visibility Often 100+ ft 30+ m on the atolls,
little lower inside the reef
|
| |
|
Dive
Services & Accommodations
|
|
|
Caye
Casa
San Pedro
Ambergris Caye
Belize
Central America
Tel.: 501-226-2880
Fax.: 501-226-2880
Beachfront setting. Peaceful. Private. Minutes from town,
restaurants, tour operators, shops. Caye Casa is the ideal
spot to escape – to live the dream. Timeless tropical
touches blended with modern conveniences. Enjoy the breeze
from your own thatch covered porch then go swimming. We
offer personalized, all-inclusive scuba diving and fly
fishing packages.
julie@cayecasa.com
http://www.cayecasa.com |
|
|
Turneffe
Flats
Tel. 888-512-8812
Fax. 954-351-9740
Turneffe Flats has long been recognized as a premier scuba
diving and marine ecotourism destination. Located on Belize's
Turneffe Atoll, the largest and most biologically diverse
atoll in the Caribbean, we specialize in superior service
for a limited number of guests.
» Number of Dive Boats: 2
» Maximum Number of Divers per Boat: Most diving
is done from our 48-foot Custom Dive Boat Ms. Ellie. Our
self-imposed limit is 12 divers, with five divers or less,
we dive from our 29-foot Ms. K
» Gear Provided: Tanks, weights and weight belts
are provided as well as towels on the boat and plenty
of dry storage
» Rental Gear Available: BCD's, regulators, and
dive computers; however, we do not rent wet suits or dive
skins. Cylumes
are provided for night dives, but divers will need to
bring a dive light
» Nitrox Available: Yes
» Type of Diving Available: wall dives, drift dives,
anchor dives, a night dive (weather dependant) and a trip
to Lighthouse Atoll (weather dependant.) We also dive
sloping coral formations and spine and groove coral formations
» Total Dive Sites: 60+ dive sites on the Turneffe
Atoll; and divers are within easy reach of the Lighthouse
Atoll and the Blue Hole
» Minimum Time to Dive Sites: Less than 5 mins.
» Maximum Time to Dive Sites: Turneffe sites up
to 30 mins, 1 1/4 hrs. to Blue Hole
» Certification Agencies: PADI
» Courses Offered: Discover scuba, open water, advanced
OW, many specialties
reservations@tflats.com
http://www.tflats.com |
|
|
Ambergris Divers Belize
PO Box 221, San Pedro Town
Ambergris Caye, BELIZE
Tel. (+) 501-226-2634
Fax. (+) 501-226-4263
Scuba & snorkeling activities, catering to experienced
as well as the novice enthusiasts. Comfortably equipped
to offer daily SCUBA instruction, daily half day dive
trips and offshore day trips, for single to varied dive
group sizes but still small enough to offer personalized
services. So come on… “Immerse Yourself In Our World!”
»
Number of Dive Boats: 5
» Maximum Number of Divers per Boat: 3 boats @ 16,
2 boats @ 8
» Gear Provided: Tanks and weights
» Rental Gear Available: bcd, regulators, wetsuits,
mask/fins, dive lights
» Nitrox Available: 32%
» Type of Diving Available: Boat dives to the Barrier
Reef, offshore atolls for wall diving
» Total Dive Sites: Barrier Reef Dives (half day
trips) 20+ dive sites. Offshore Atoll dive sites visited
9+ dive sites
» Minimum Time to Dive Sites: Barrier Reef Sites:
5 minutes
» Maximum Time to Dive Sites: Barrier Reef Sites:
15 minutes. Offshore atoll dive sites 2 ½ hours
» Certification Agencies: PADI affiliate R#10796.
International Referral center for all certification agencies
» Courses Offered: Recreational Certification Courses:
from Discover Scuba to Advanced Open Water and Emergency
First Response
ambergrisdivers@btl.net
http://www.ambergrisdivers.com |
|
|
Belize Diving Adventures
Beach Front
San Pedro, Ambergris Caye
Belize,Central America
Tel. 501-226-3082
Belize Diving Adventures, a Belizean owned, family business,is
located in the heart of San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. This
full service dive facility is comprise of licensed Tour
Guides, PADI / NAUI Instructors, Dive Masters and Boat
Captains who provides professional, efficient, and friendly
and personalize service.
»
Number of Dive Boats: 3
» Maximum Number of Divers per Boat: 10 and 18
» Gear Provided: Yes
» Rental Gear Available: Sherwwod, Mares, Aqualung
» Nitrox Available: 32%
» Type of Diving Available: Reef, wall, atoll
» Total Dive Sites: 50
» Minimum Time to Dive Sites: 5 mins.
» Maximum Time to Dive Sites: 15 mins. local - 2:30
for atoll
» Certification Agencies: PADI, NAUI
» Courses Offered: Open Water,Advenced Diver,Rescue
Diver,EFR/CPR, Dive Master, 10 specialties including Nitrox
contact@belizedivingadventures.net
http://www.belizedivingadventures.net |
|
|
Blue Marlin Lodge
15 Mahogany Street, Box 21
Dangriga, Belize
Central America
Tel.: +11-501-520-5104 / 522-2243
Fax.: +11-501-520-2296
The Blue Marlin Lodge offers vacationers simple pleasures
to help them relax. It's no secret that truly phenomenal
dive and fish locations are few and far between. The southern
atolls, the barrier reef, and the cayes off the lower
Belizean coastline offer an untainted mecca for divers
and fishermen to explore and preserve.
» Number of Dive Boats: 4
» Maximum Number of Divers per Boat: 10
» Gear Provided: BCD, regulator, tank, weight and
belt
» Rental Gear Available: All
» Nitrox Available: No
» Type of Diving Available:
» Total Dive Sites: 20
» Minimum Time to Dive Sites: 1 minute
» Maximum Time to Dive Sites: 2 minutes
» Certification Agencies: PADI
» Courses Offered: Open water to divemaster
reservations@bluemarlinlodge.com
http://www.bluemarlinlodge.com |
|
|
Chaa Creek Rainforest Reserve, Adventure Centre and
Spa
P.O. Box 53,
San Ignacio Town,
Cayo District,
Belize
Tel.: 501-824-2037
Fax.: 501-824-2501
A
private 365-acre nature reserve set along the banks of
the Macal River in the foothills of the Maya Mountains,
Chaa Creek provides a unique rainforest experience while
maintaining an unspoiled ambience. Check out our inland/island
packages where you can split your vacation and include
the inland beauty and adventures as well as Turneffe Flats
for snorkeling and diving.
reservations@chaacreek.com
http://www.chaacreek.com |
|
|
Coco
Plum Island Resort
Box 239,
Dangriga,
Belize.
Ph. 512-786-7309
Fax. 512-341-2921
Coco Plum Cay is a spectacular private tropical island
located off the central coast of Belize and offers an
outstanding location from which to access many of Belize's
best dive sites.
contact@cocoplumcay.com
www.cocoplumcay.com |
|
|
Isla
Marisol Resort
South West Caye
Glover's Reef Atoll
P.O Box 10 Dangriga
Belize C.A
Tel. 011-501-520-2056 / 670-1485
Fax. 011-501-522-0235
Isla Marisol Resort located on Glover's Reef Atoll offers
professionally guided Belize tours featuring scuba diving,
nitrox diving, snorkeling, fishing, beach combing, and
seafood feasts, all set in the exotic environment of the
tropics.
sales@islamarisolresort.com
http://www.islamarisolresort.com |
|
|
Jaguar Reef Lodge
P.O. Box 297
Dangriga, Belize, C.A.
Tel. 866 910 7373 or 011 501 520 7040
Fax. 011 501 520 7091
Jaguar
Reef Lodge is situated on an endless golden sand beach
between the Mayan Mountains and Caribbean Sea and provides
it's guests with outstanding diving opportunities on the
nearby barrier reef and coral atolls.
info@almondjaguar.com
http://www.jaguarreef.com |
|
|
SunBreeze Hotel
#7 Coconut Drive
P.O. Box 14 San Pedro
Ambergris Caye
Belize
Tel.: 011 (501) 226-2191
Fax.: 011 (501) 2262346
A perfect Island Vacation Getaway, centrally located on
the island of Ambergris Caye, the SunBreeze Hotel offers
you all the comforts of home away from home. Within a
stroll of all the towns activities, restaurants,bars and
gift shops.
sunbreeze@btl.net
http://www.sunbreeze.net |
|
|
SunBreeze Suites
Barrier Reef Drive
Beach Front
San Pedro
Ambergris Caye
Belize
Tel.: 011-(501) 226-4675
Fax.: 011-(501) 226-3414
Each of the SunBreeze Suites feature private bedroom and
bathroom, a living and dining room area with a fully equipped
kitchen. Each living room has a queen size sofa bed and
the bedding is either a queen size bed or a king size
bed that can be converted to two twin beds.
sunbreezesuites@sunbreezesuites.com
http://www.sunbreezesuites.com |
|
|
St.
Georges Caye Resort
Box
1880
Belize City, Belize
Central America
Tel: Toll Free: 1-800-813-8498
St George's Caye Resort is an exclusive Canadian
owned and operated resort nestled on a private residence
island only 20 minutes from Belize City. There are 12
cabanas each with own veranda, air conditioning, mini-bars,
ceiling fans for your comfort. Full course gourmet meals,
evening appetizers and fresh juice delivered to your door
each morning will add to your experience. Valet diving,
SSI courses and certification. Full service spa.
» Number of Dive Boats: 1
» Maximum Number of Divers per Boat: 14 - 16
» Gear Provided: Tanks and weights
» Rental Gear Available: All
» Nitrox Available: Yes
» Type of Diving Available: Reef, wall, Blue Hole
» Total Dive Sites: 100+
» Minimum Time to Dive Sites: 5
» Maximum Time to Dive Sites: 25
» Certification Agencies: SSI
» Courses Offered: Yes
office@gooddiving.com
http://www.gooddiving.com |
|
|
Turneffe Island Lodge
US Sales Office:
440 Louisiana St, Suite 900
Houston, TX 77002
800-874-0118
713-236-7739
Turneffe Island Lodge is a 12-acre private island 30 miles
off the coast of Belize. We offer 7,4 and 3 night all-inclusive
packages for Diving, Fishing and Snorkeling.
info@turneffelodge.com
http://www.turneffelodge.com |
Looking
for Belize Liveaboards?
|
|
|
| |
|
Travel
to Belize
International flights to Belize go through Charlotte, Dallas, Houston, Miami, Los Angeles and Montego Bay, Jamaica.
Flights arrive in Belize City, then if you are heading to the offshore cays and atolls, you will travel from here
either by boat or small private charter plane, depending on location.
The major airlines servicing Belize are:
Air
Jamaica
American Airlines
Continental
TACA
US Airways
|
| |
Entry Requirements
With the exception of cruise ship passengers, all visitors to Belize must present a valid passport before entering
the country. Passports must be valid up until time of departure.
VISAS
United States and Canadian citizens, nationals of Caricom countries and of the European Community member nations
(Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Denmark, Ireland, UK, Greece, Spain, Portugal, Austria,
Finland, Sweden) do not require visas.
Visas are required for nationals of the following countries: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Argentina,
Bangladesh, Bolivia, Bosnia, Brazil, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Columbia, Cuba, El Salvador, Ethiopia,
Haiti, Honduras, India, Japan, Korea (North and South), Libya, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan,
Panama, Peru, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Ukraine, and Zaire.
**New Travel Requirements**
The Department of State and Homeland Security have
announced a "Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative" in which they are proposing to require all U.S. Citizens,
Canadians, citizens of Bermuda and citizens of Mexico to have a passport or other accepted secure document to enter
or re-enter the U.S. by January 1, 2008.
Beginning January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and
Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport,
Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document.
As early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico,
Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present
a valid passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. While recent legislative
changes permit a later deadline, the Departments of State and Homeland Security are working to meet all requirements
as soon as possible. Ample advance notice will be provided to enable the public to obtain passports or passport
cards for land/sea entries.
Helpful Tips
If you are visiting the Cayes and/or the Barrier Reef, bring your shorts, T-shirts, and bathing suits, as well
as some comfortable tennis shoes or deck shoes. As the sun is probably more intense than what you are used to at
home, bring a cap to protect your head from the tropical sun when you are boating and/or fishing and use sunscreen
protection.
Loose fitting, light colored cotton pants and camping shirts, along with a comfortable pair of hiking shoes or
boots are appropriate for exploring the Mainland or trekking through the rain forest. When visiting the Maya Ruins
or traipsing through the jungle, a hat with a wide brim will provide shade from the tropical sun, as well as provide
protection from a tropical shower.
Getting Around
Ambergris Caye, the largest of about 1000 cayes (islands) located in the northern most waters of Belize, Central
America. This narrow strip of paradise surrounded by the azure Caribbean, is approximately 25 miles long and was
once a part of the Yucatan Peninsula. Get there by small plane or water taxi.
Taxi service is available to and from destinations in San Pedro Town, as far north as the river and as far south
as Victoria House, the hotel furthest to the south of Ambergris Caye. Most hotels and resorts provide transportation
for guests to and from the airstrip and boat docks. Taxi fare is charged according to the number of persons and
how far you wanted to be transported.
Caye Caulker is located 12 miles from the mainland. It is only 5 miles long and seperated into 2 parts. The main
village is on the southern portion. Get there by small plane or water taxi.
On the mainland, you will want some form of transportation. The least expensive way to get around Belize on a day
to day basis is by bus. Buses run regular schedules and by other Central American standards, Belizean buses are
clean, roomy and efficient. No reservations required though often recommended as some bus routes fill up quickly
and completely. Rental cars are also available in the larger towns and cities. There are many international and
local rental agencies available.
Language
Everyone in Belize speaks English.
Tipping
Tip if you find the service good. Tipping can range from 10-15%. |
|
|
|
|
