I am trying to plan a dive trip to Belize with my wife for March (somewhere between 9th and 16th) 2025 for roughly 4-5 days. We are both SSI open water certified with Nitrox certification and will be bringing our own gear, we dive at least one big trip a year. We have been to Maui, Cozumel (many times, our favorite place so far), Honduras, Costa Maya, and small local spots near home in Missouri. The whole trips main focus is diving and we do want to dive the blue hole. While diving is the main event it is always nice to stay somewhere comfortable to relax on a beach when not diving. But other than sitting on a beach staring at the ocean and eating diving we don't really have any other needs. We had a friend that we were working with to plan this all out but he died suddenly and we are now without our Belize experienced friend. With so many small islands and different dive shops and the internet full of so many opinions I thought our best bet was to post here and ask for help. Can anyone make a some good suggestions or know a place to point me to that can help us lock down a good option?
Help Planning first Dive trip to Belize
- Thread starter mgdesert
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dirtfarmer
Contributor
I'm no expert on Belize but I'm just about to go on a trip there this week and decided on Hurracan Dive Lodge on Long Caye which is about 15 minutes from the blue hole. I didn't pick this resort based on proximity to the blue hole but the reputation for the reefs in the area being the best in Belize. There is another resort on Long Caye ; Itza Resort, I choose Hurracan for their reputation of having excellent food, and a well run operation. Check out Long Caye if a really chill spot is what your after.
i ve been to caye caulker and san pedro quiet few time. Depend on what you like caye caulker is a smaller island backpack style. San pedro more like a little resort island. Did the blue hole couple of time also.
If you have questions let me know.
Be safe
If you have questions let me know.
Be safe
Long Caye looks nice but maybe more expensive for the rest of our dives and travel? Our friend was originally going to have us stay in San Pedro and dive with a DM he knew named Jimmy (I don't know the name of the dive shop). It seems that the dive trips are less expensive from San Pedro so I have been leaning that way. Any suggestions on a good dive shop to dive with in that area? I have seen a couple suggestions for Belize Pro Dive Center, any one been out with them? We don't need a super fancy hotel but do like the comforts of resort-ish places. Is bananas on the beach a good place, better value suggestions? We are planning to travel from wednesday to monday (cheaper travel days).
dont look if dive trip are less expensive from one to another. Check the boat, the operation, what they offer.
I had excellent service in caye caulker with frenchy's, while i was in san pedro could not recall the name of the dive shop the one by the beach with the huge flag service was great too.
Cheers
That is a fair point, about comparing costs of dive operations. Over all, I don't see too much of a cost savings at caye caulker vs san pedro for hotels and such(from what I have looked into so far). San Pedro seems to have more options for places to stay, eat, and dive with. So for our first time in Belize I think it may be an easier choice. I am very open to being wrong if someone has a complete better idea. As far as dive shops I have seen Belize Pro Dive Center and Amigos Del Mar come up a good amount in online discussions, anyone here have any experience with either? Any recommendations for a dive shop in San Pedro to dive with?
I also found a simple hotel named Caribbean villas that seems to have reasonable rates, anyone stay there? I am hoping to stay somewhere that the dive boat can pick us up from if I have read it right and that is common in san pedro? We always got picked up at a pier at our hotel in Cozumel and it made multi day dives very convenient.
I also found a simple hotel named Caribbean villas that seems to have reasonable rates, anyone stay there? I am hoping to stay somewhere that the dive boat can pick us up from if I have read it right and that is common in san pedro? We always got picked up at a pier at our hotel in Cozumel and it made multi day dives very convenient.
Rob9876
Contributor
Belize Pro is a good shop -- dove with them a few months ago. I wouldn't hesitate to dive with them if I were to go back, but honestly I'm not a huge fan of the island, Ambergris Caye (roads are horrendous, food a bit pricy, didn't see any great beaches - even Secret Beach) and the diving was just o.k. for Caribbean diving. If you like nurse and reef sharks, you'll see multiples every dive -- but not as many other interesting critters as I'm used to in the Caribbean.
Edit: We stayed at Grand Caribe Belize: the room was good, the restaurants were just o.k. and pricey (even charged for refills on coffee) and the beach was bad -- could only go about 20 feet into the water walking on seagrass and then blocked from going farther by something that looked kind of like a snow fence (but in the water) -- water was only up to my waist. Belize Pro did pick me up from the hotel's pier each morning.
@dirtfarmer, you'll love Huracan. You don't get as many dives as a live aboard, but personally, I don't care. The dives themselves are really great. And, the food is extraordinary! I'm a bit of a foodie and I've rarely had food that good. For me, it's the perfect combo of great diving, relaxation, and great food. Enjoy!
I second the endorsement of Long Cay diving. I've been to Itza a few times and really enjoyed it. Probably less of a foodie experience, but decent food. I would mention that both Huracan and Itza are a bit rustic, with no AC.
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