Cozumel, Belize or Cayman Islands- what would you choose?

[ScubaGir1]

If you had a choice to go to Cozumel, Belize or Cayman Islands where would you go?

This is a hypothetical situation since I am thinking ahead about a vacation, but I've been to Coz (and loved it!!), so I'm curious if the other two options are just as good, worse, better...

My other question is, if you do choose Belize or Cayman Islands, are there any particular hotels/resorts you recommend? Cozumel was awesome, and the dive resort was an "all inclusive" deal as well. I was sort of hoping Belize and Cayman Islands had similar places to stay.

I would like to go to one of those 3 options in March-April in hopes of seeing some whale sharks (that's really my main goal).

Thanks!

[Diver Kat]

We've only done Belize & Grand Cayman on 'day' trips so my point of view is biased toward Cozumel, where we've done a number of 'day' trips as well as staying on the island a bunch of times. (Our next 3 trips are all to Coz.) We keep looking at other locations - like Belize - but when it comes down to it, at least for us, Cozumel is the most economical and has some of the best diving.

If money or fly time isn't a big factor, than both Belize and Grand Cayman have places to stay & dive with excellent reputations. I'm sure you'll get some great recommendations from everyone here on the forum.

[PlatypusMan]

Originally Posted by ScubaGir1

If you had a choice to go to Cozumel, Belize or Cayman Islands where would you go?

Yes.

PPM

[navyhmc]

Belize, just because I haven't...and a guy from work has...for 30 days!

[rednose83]

They're all good so you won't be disappointed!

How long will you be staying? If more than I week, I'd choose Cayman or Cozumel. Otherwise, just draw from a hat!

[Damselfish]

What did you love about Coz? Then people can better suggest what else you might like. No one is going to agree on which of those 3 places is best. If you're interested in dive oriented AIs, you might also look into Roatan or Utila. There are also lots of dive oriented places in Bonaire, some in Curacao, and a few in Cayman, though I wouldn't suggest doing a meal package in those places because there's so many good places to eat that will be better than eating at your hotel all the time. (Exception would be the AIs on Little Cayman, as there's hardly anyplace else to eat anyway.)

I like Belize, but by liveaboard. I like Cayman, and prefer Little Cayman, the resorts on the East End of Grand Cayman, or Cobalt Coast in the northwest, for diving. I haven't been to Cozumel as I suspect it won't suit me.

BUT, if your goal is to see whale sharks, you're not going to see them in Cayman or Cozumel. Belize is noted for whale shark visits, but it's for a certain number of days around the full moons of April-June. The area where they are seen is off Gladden Spit in southern Belize, so you would stay someplace like Placencia (far away from the more touristed areas of Belize like Ambergris.) The ops need permits, can only go at certain times, and the dives can involve doing lots of hanging out waiting in deep blue water with nothing to look at but plankton. There are also other places known for whale shark encounters, such as Utila and Holbox. If you are serious about seeing whale sharks, you'll want to start with doing some more research on exactly when, where, and how to see them.

[ScubaGir1]

Originally Posted by Damselfish

BUT, if your goal is to see whale sharks, you're not going to see them in Cayman or Cozumel. Belize is noted for whale shark visits, but it's for a certain number of days around the full moons of April-June. The area where they are seen is off Gladden Spit in southern Belize, so you would stay someplace like Placencia (far away from the more touristed areas of Belize like Ambergris.) The ops need permits, can only go at certain times, and the dives can involve doing lots of hanging out waiting in deep blue water with nothing to look at but plankton. There are also other places known for whale shark encounters, such as Utila and Holbox. If you are serious about seeing whale sharks, you'll want to start with doing some more research on exactly when, where, and how to see them.

Yeah, I remember reading that Belize had some good spots for whale sharks. And I remember seeing that they tend to make their appearance in late spring, and on full moons.

What I liked about Cozumel so much was that the dive spots were be beautiful and dive boats were easy to get. Besides the awesome sea life there, I also liked that there were other things to do on the island like renting a vespa and going on a little adventure to the lighthouse at the end of the island. There was also a little tour that showed us Mayan ruins andat Punta Sur we got to see crocodiles. I guess all in all, I want a place that has great dive spots, but also has at least a few land excursions too.

[snagel]

Been to Coz and absolutely loved it. It's probably the cheap way if money is a factor. I'm heading back to Bonaire in 23 days, but out of the other two you posted I want to go to the Cayman Islands. The research I've done on it is it is a little more expensive, but something I want to do.

Snagel