Belize recommendations?

[jball]

My dive buddy and I are considering a trip to Belize the week between Xmas and Jan 1. We are recently certified, having spent our first week diving in Cozumel in June. Just 11 dives under our belts, including a night dive. We've been told Belize is a good place for beginners (as well as Roataan and Bonaire, which likely will be next - although we could change our minds and head to either of those, instead)

We'd love to hear recommendations for dive operators and hotels in Belize we should consider, as well as any other local "must sees."

[tc_rain]

To add to this, are there any AI resorts in Belize?

[georoc01]

Depends on the weather. Unlike Roatan & Bonaire, where you dive the leeward side of an island, when I was on Ambrigis Caye, it was very windy diving on the windward side of the island. There were a couple of easy dives on the inside of the breakwall. But I wouldn't recommend it for new divers if you had the weather we had last May.

If you are looking for an AI over the holiday, I noticed you are from Colorado. Have you seen A1 Scuba's trip to Anthony's Key? Its a pretty good deal. Another might be Weaver's trip to Cozumel.

Getting a deal is tough over the holidays, so these packages seem to be in line with the kind of prices you are going to find including air.

Consider them recon missions, try and get out and check out the islands so that for your next trip you can look for specials on your own where you want to stay for the best price.

[Bill]

I can highly recommend Turneffe Island Resort. Been there for the past two years and they are AI, top notch and diving is awesome !

Bill

[tc_rain]

Originally Posted by Bill

I can highly recommend Turneffe Island Resort. Been there for the past two years and they are AI, top notch and diving is awesome !

Bill

Looks great, thanks.

[tribe01]

If you want an inexpensive place to stay right on the beach I recommend:
Welcome To Ruby's Hotel, San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize, Central America

[tribe01]

Oh and don't forget to go to Shark Ray Alley and Blue Hole!

DIVE BELIZE, The Great Blue Hole, Ambergris Caye, Belize, Diving in the Caribbean

[georoc01]

Originally Posted by tribe01

Oh and don't forget to go to Shark Ray Alley and Blue Hole!

DIVE BELIZE, The Great Blue Hole, Ambergris Caye, Belize, Diving in the Caribbean

So you are recommending that a recently certified diver should go dive down 133 ft at the Blue Hole?

I'd at least get your AOW and do some deeper dives before making that challenge. Shark Ray Alley OTOH, was fine, just have to be ready for the current if you do it during a tidal changes.

[TJDiver]

Originally Posted by georoc01

So you are recommending that a recently certified diver should go dive down 133 ft at the Blue Hole?

I'd at least get your AOW and do some deeper dives before making that challenge. Shark Ray Alley OTOH, was fine, just have to be ready for the current if you do it during a tidal changes.

Uhh...I didn't see tribe recommend anyone go to 133 ft? I mean the thing goes to over 400 ft. Does that mean experienced, but non-tech, divers should avoid it too?

[georoc01]

Originally Posted by TJDiver

Uhh...I didn't see tribe recommend anyone go to 133 ft? I mean the thing goes to over 400 ft. Does that mean experienced, but non-tech, divers should avoid it too?

But if you are not going to go down to the Stalactites at 130ft, why do you recommend the dive? There is very little to see in sand at the top. The divemasters take everyone down as a group, there really wasn't a shallow option on the dive.

Now the two dives afterwards out on the lighthouse atoll were amazing, by far the best two dives we did in Belize.

But I wouldn't recommend the Blue Hole for the newly certified diver.