8 replies to this topic

[ScubaSofie]

Anyone been diving Belize? I recently got my certification in the Florida Keys and fell in love with the sport.
Any advice on Belize liveaboard? Is this a good place to get my "sea legs"?

[MNJoe]

Sophie,

http://www.singlediv...-report-thread/

SingleDivers was there not too long ago. It was a great trip!! I see you are newly certified, Belize certainly would be a good spot to go. There are many places you could go. What is it you are looking for in a trip? If you don't have a regular buddy check out some of the trips that Kamala has scheduled.

http://www.singlediv...trips-&-events/

MNJoe

[ScubaSofie]

Hi Keith,

Thanks for the response. Being new to diving, I am hesitant about a liveaboard. THey do 5 dives/day & wondering if that would be too much for me as a beginner?
I am also new to traveling, so wondering if I am going to Belize, if I stay at a resort if it will offer me opportunity to also do a jungle adventure or see the Mayan ruins.
I heard great things about Belize such as the beautiful coral and sponges but not really a big diversity of fish.

I did speak with Kamela and would love to do one of her trips. My issue is work and timing.

Sophie,

http://www.singlediv...-report-thread/

SingleDivers was there not too long ago. It was a great trip!! I see you are newly certified, Belize certainly would be a good spot to go. There are many places you could go. What is it you are looking for in a trip? If you don't have a regular buddy check out some of the trips that Kamala has scheduled.

http://www.singlediv...ips-%26-events/

MNJoe

[Starfish Sandy]

I have done Belize twice - both live a boards - The diving is great and fairly easy. Our last trip was on the PH boat - the crew was fabulous and so was the diving. Sharks/grouper/fish/fish/fish. On a live a board you can dive as many or as few dives as you want - you do NOT have to dive every dive. The boats offer some after diving excursions (on Friday) but I don't know if there is a jungle tour offered or the ruins -

as with most places the lion fish are wiping out the fish population - but we were there in 2010 and things were good.

[georoc01]

I've done 2 SingleDivers trips to Belize and enjoyed both. Stayed out on Ambrigis Caye.

The first time the weather really didn't cooperate and it made for some tough diving in the surf.

In December, we had a much better week and the diving was much better. One day the sea turned to glass and it was like diving in an amazing swimming pool.

Lots of sharks, rays and turtles.

The best sites are out on the atolls, and clearly a liveaboard will giver out more time out there. But the town of San Pedro has been lots of fun topside too.

So if you are looking for a pure dive trip, clearly the liveaboard will give you more dives. But for an overall vacation with some diving, Belize is a great place to go.

[Greg@ihpil]

Glad this location came up. I know the Blue Hole is there etc. as you mention several opportunities.How's the weather in March??
Anyone?

I've done 2 SingleDivers trips to Belize and enjoyed both. Stayed out on Ambrigis Caye.

The first time the weather really didn't cooperate and it made for some tough diving in the surf.

In December, we had a much better week and the diving was much better. One day the sea turned to glass and it was like diving in an amazing swimming pool.

Lots of sharks, rays and turtles.

The best sites are out on the atolls, and clearly a liveaboard will giver out more time out there. But the town of San Pedro has been lots of fun topside too.

So if you are looking for a pure dive trip, clearly the liveaboard will give you more dives. But for an overall vacation with some diving, Belize is a great place to go.

[MNJoe]

Hi Keith,

Thanks for the response. Being new to diving, I am hesitant about a liveaboard. THey do 5 dives/day & wondering if that would be too much for me as a beginner?
I am also new to traveling, so wondering if I am going to Belize, if I stay at a resort if it will offer me opportunity to also do a jungle adventure or see the Mayan ruins.
I heard great things about Belize such as the beautiful coral and sponges but not really a big diversity of fish.

I did speak with Kamela and would love to do one of her trips. My issue is work and timing.

Sophie,

http://www.singlediv...-report-thread/

SingleDivers was there not too long ago. It was a great trip!! I see you are newly certified, Belize certainly would be a good spot to go. There are many places you could go. What is it you are looking for in a trip? If you don't have a regular buddy check out some of the trips that Kamala has scheduled.

http://www.singlediv...ips-%26-events/

My first Blue Water dive was on a liveaboard. It also was a SD.com Trip. I would think 5 dives a day would be more of a personal thang as opposed to a new diver thing. Maybe it is more dives than you want to do, maybe not, but that is your choice as Sandy said. I liked it because I was there to dive, liveaboard is eat, sleep and dive, not necessarily in that order. If you were wanting to break things up with other activities, then you would want to do a land based trip. I think maybe you need to look at yourself wehen wondering if a liveaboard is a good choice for your first trip. How comfortable in the water are you? Are there still some issues you are not comfortable with?

MNJoe

[WreckWench]

Some places are better for new divers...either the locale is easier diving or the resort/operator will take better care of a new diver. Please let us book your diving for you so we can help ensure that you get great staff who will take care of you ESPECIALLY since you are a new diver.

Cozumel, Belize and Bonaire are great for new divers. Our group trips are the BEST for new divers cuz we take such good care of them... after all we were all new once!

I would not do a liveaboard until you have some more dives under your belt unless money is not a big deal. You will spend a lot of money on a liveaboard (unless you can travel for Labor Day to Turks and Caicos as we have 2 spots due to cancellations and can make a deal...)

Otherwise...I think you'll enjoy it more once you get a few more dives under your belt!

[auther dent]

I did my PADI Dive Master in Belize. It was on Caye Caulker Island which is a short ferry ride out of Belize City. It was rough to have to wake up every morning to sunny warm beaches and trudge over to the dive shop for another rough day of diving, day after day for 2 months but I survived!!!

Seriously though, great diving either from the islands or aboard the live aboads. Make sure to do Turneffe and if possible Lighthouse reef or Half Moon Caye. Spectacular reefs with amazing corals.

San Pedro was great for diving with nurse sharks that swim right up to you, giant groupers and always fun was the stingray hole.

If you make it to Caye Caulker stop by Belize Diving Services (BDS) and tell Chip and Dani that Ron says hi!!