Dive Op in Xcalac

[jaxjags64109]

Does anyone know of a dive op in Xcalac that makes trips to dive sites off Ambergris Caye in Belize? My wife swears she has read about this but this seems strange to me. The reef in AC is generally considerably less that a mile off shore and in Northern AC it is even closer and much of Northern AC is a marine reserve (Baclar Chico). To me it would seem strange for a Mexican dive op to make trips to a Belizean marine reserve dive site. Is the wife right about this?

kyle

 

[deborahdelamar]

XTC has day trips to San Pedro and you can book diving in Belize (with a Belize-based op, not XTC.) The local diving in Xcalak is really interesting -- some is amazing -- and you may not want to miss that by taking a long boat trip for 2 tanks off Ambergris.

 

[jaxjags64109]

I appreciate the information. I am confused as to how this works without going through a regular border crossing with immigration, customs, etc...but I'll email XTC myself and get more info. Thanks,

Kyle

 

[scubawife]

I appreciate the information. I am confused as to how this works without going through a regular border crossing with immigration, customs, etc...but I'll email XTC myself and get more info. Thanks,

Kyle

Here's XTC's website Aventuras Xcalak to Chinchorro Dive Center CARIBBEAN, YUCATAN, MEXICO, xtcdivecenter.com

From the excursion page of their site (Fishing, Excursions, Daytrips, Snorkeling in Xcalak -Aventuras XTC Dive Center- CARIBBEAN, YUCATAN, MEXICO, xtcdivecenter.com)

San Pedro Trip

Enjoy a day trip to neighboring Belize! Ambergis Key is just a few miles south of Xcalak. San Pedro, the bustling metropolis at the south end of the key, offers a bit more "civilization", shopping, and restaurants. The scenic boat ride takes about 1 1/2 hours each way.

This trip is $200 USD for 1-5 passengers or $40.00 per passender up to 8 passengers plus tax for the boat, captain, and a maximum of 8 passengers. Immigration fees not included.

 

[deborahdelamar]

Belize immigration has an office on San Pedro and you'll need your passport to enter. You should ask XTC what to do with your Mexican tourist visa as I don't think you will see MX immigration on the way back. Coming home, Belize has a $3.75 (USD) departure tax for departure by sea -- I don't know whether or not XTC includes this in the trip price. Suzanne will gladly answer all of your questions via email.

 

[TEERLKAY]

Put that money towards a trip to Chinchorro Banks!

 

[jaxjags64109]

Thanks for the information, I must admit I am intrigued about a dive trip to Chinchorro Banks.

However, our primary goal was to see some property in Northern Ambergris Caye, with diving being an added bonus. From the map, it appears getting there from Xcalac would be easier than from San Pedro given that the whole trip would be within the Reef as opposed to from San Pedro which requires that we go outside the reef and re-enter. Not to mention that from Xcalac to the property is about 6-7 miles as opposed to 15 miles from San Pedro. There is just that small issue of an international border.

Who knows, maybe we can get in squeeze in another dive along the way.