Placencia, Belize- Whale Sharks

[JKDiver]

Going to Placencia, Belize to dive with whale sharks in April. I am recently certified and my daughter is a JR. Certified Diver. I am looking for a SCUBA shop in Placencia to take us diving. Any recommendations? Has anybody dove with whale sharks? Is it cool or scary or both?

[Texas Girl]

One of the coolest experiences you can have. Sorry, don't have a dive shop recommendation.

[jeepbrew]

Very cool to dive with Whale Sharks, yet I have only done it in an aquarium. I am with Texas - no dive shop info for you.

[Rockinmd]

Dove with them in Okinawa. Cool, and a little edge because of the size. Never dove in Pelencia

[Damselfish]

Hopefully you are scheduled in the days around the full moon when they are more likely to be seen? They aren't generally found just any time. I don't know much about the shops there (don't recall who we used as it was arranged through someone else) but I would probably book soon. They need permits to do the whale dives and there are only so many spots.

When we did these dives we started fairly deep, I think around 90, and worked our way up because there was supposed to be a better chance of finding the spawning fish and therefore whales down deeper. This was all out in blue water with no visual references. So you might want to confirm the details of the dives and make sure they will be ok for you and your daughter.

[Travelnsj]

Do not use Roberts Grove!....expensive, understaffed and cattle boats!...go 3 days after the full moon...not before....hate to say this...did the dive out to the Spit 4 times (9 dives) before and after the full moon....never saw anything....if you really want a 100% guarantee of see Whalesharks go to Holbox in July or August.....you can only swim with them....but you will see plenty.

[scubasamurai]

any chance the aggressor out of belize hits up the whale sharks ???

[mentalmarine]

I recently ran across this about whalesharks, I thought it was quite interesting: ECOCEAN Whale Shark Photo-identification Library

ECOCEAN recently completed a new software project called Spot!. Spot! allows for perspective correction in skewed images to allow researchers to map spot patterns and identify whale sharks from previously unusable photographs.

[allison finch]

Just a little north is the town of Hopkins. There is a wonderful resort called Hamanasi Adventure Resort. I really enjoyed my stay there and they really dive the whale sharks during the season. I can post some photos of the place, if you like.

[Texas Girl]

I will second the recommendation for Hamanasi. I was there for spring break, and loved the place. Eventually I will post a trip report, but would be happy to answer any questions.