First trip to Belize ... need suggestions

[dyandiver]

We are planning a trip to Ambergris Caye in Nov/Dec 2016. Never been there before. Some of my many questions:

• First - is this a good time to visit Belize? I know weather is unpredictable but really want to avoid bad weather.
• Are the dive sites that are close to Ambergris good, or do you really need to make the long boat ride out to the atolls? We DO NOT want to spend all day in the boat going to and fro. Is there a better Caye to stay on - diving being our main goal.
• What about the Blue Hole? Is it worth the trip? Some of the pictures I've seen didn't look great - is it a super deep dive? Hubby is a bit of an air hog and he usually prefers maxing depth around 80'.
• Any other dives that are a must?
• What about hotels/dive shops. Looking for mid priced range or a little higher. Doesn't have to be luxurious, but clean and friendly. We do 2 morning dives then veg and read most afternoons.

Thanks!

 

[katzgar]

The blue hole is 400 feet deep and a bucket list item for some and a total waste for others. Ambergris has great reef diving but atoll diving is better so stay on one of them for atoll diving. maybe split staying between ambergris and an atoll. One may figure that diving is good on AC because alot of people go there to dive. Go early Nov. to avoid holiday prices.

 

[chillyinCanada]

Yes, the Great Blue Hole is 400+ feet deep and 1000' across, however,the dive itself is 130' maximum. It's a very short dive due to this. The dive operator should have extra tanks hanging at 15' for airhogs, as you put. If you want to skip it but still experience diving out at the Atolls, do the Turneffe 3 tank day trip instead.

Otherwise, enjoy the local diving off Ambergris Caye which is 5-15 minutes from shore. Sounds perfect to me for what you say you want.

Katzgar's right about pricing. Generally increases on November 15 but there can even be surcharges for thanksgiving weekend.

I've spent many November's at Ambergris Caye. Sorry I can't guarantee anything but I've had good weather more often than not.

 

[Stoo]

Dyan, I am 8 days away from my 6th consecutive trip to the outer cayes (and 8th in total to Belize) . I have been to pretty much all of the Caribbean diving islands, and for my money, the outer cayes of Belize are the best. (With Little Cayman a close second.)

I was at AC about 20 years ago and it was nice, but lacked variety. It's mostly barrier reef and lacks walls, which I love. Of course Ambergris has become much more developed since then and this doesn't generally mean good things for the diving.

With regard to the Blue Hole, if "Hubby" doesn't want to dive below 80', then all you'll see is a bare rock wall, although there is a little fringe reef that's not too exciting. HOWEVER... the other two dives you will do will be at Halfmoon Caye and those will be the best dives you do all week.

I have trip reports on both Turneffe Island Resort and Huracan Diving here if you search around a bit. Also look into ITZA resort on Long Caye. All remote, so if that's not your thing, they may not be the places for you.

The weather will be what the weather will be...

Also, have a look at my website... the majority of the images in this gallery are from Long Caye, Turneffe Atoll and Halfmoon Caye. (Sea Creatures, Great and Small (Warm!) - wetspot)

Here's an image from the Blue Hole, although we were a "bit" deeper than average. The two stalactites above the deepest diver's head are around 130'.

Feel free to PM if you want to chat.

 

[drrich2]

My report from a morning hitting the Blue Hole, then a land trip to nearby Half-Moon Caye.

A bucket list item when I was close by; not something I'd want to spend a really long round trip boat ride to do. Liked the land trip!

Richard.