Help Planning first Dive trip to Belize

[Damselfish]

At least one prominent Belize LOB has had some very bad luck at Lighthouse Reef/Blue Hole . . .

Belize Aggressor removed from Lighthouse Reef; damage assessment commences - The San Pedro Sun

The diving vessel Belize Aggressor IV, which was stuck at Lighthouse Reef, has finally been removed.

www.sanpedrosun.com

At least one prominent Belize LOB has had some very bad luck at Lighthouse Reef/Blue Hole . . .

Belize Aggressor removed from Lighthouse Reef; damage assessment commences - The San Pedro Sun

The diving vessel Belize Aggressor IV, which was stuck at Lighthouse Reef, has finally been removed.

www.sanpedrosun.com

Aquarium dive site, which has nothing to do with blue hole.

 

[d^2b]

At least one prominent Belize LOB has had some very bad luck at Lighthouse Reef/Blue Hole . . .

Belize Aggressor removed from Lighthouse Reef; damage assessment commences - The San Pedro Sun

The diving vessel Belize Aggressor IV, which was stuck at Lighthouse Reef, has finally been removed.

www.sanpedrosun.com

Just be clear, most of the reef was unaffected by this incident; I have dove long key before and after, and did not notice any specific effects.

 

[coldwaterglutton]

Just be clear, most of the reef was unaffected by this incident; I have dove long key before and after, and did not notice any specific effects.

Wasn't there a different incident where a rich guy's yacht dragged anchor at LH reef and did mess up a bunch of corals?

 

[coldwaterglutton]

Aquarium dive site, which has nothing to do with blue hole.

5 miles away and a common second stop after dive boats visit the GBH, so it's a little strong to say "it has nothing to do with". But yes it's a different place.

 

[d^2b]

Wasn't there a different incident where a rich guy's yacht dragged anchor at LH reef and did mess up a bunch of corals?

Yes, I think the staff mentioned that incident when I was there in April 2024. My point is the reef is not in any sense ruined (even if there is local damage to parts of it).

 

[chillyinCanada]

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.

It is indeed common for the San Pedro dive ops to pick you up at the closest dock and if that's at your hotel, all the better.

Where are you flying in from because you say that you only have 5 days?

 

[chillyinCanada]

I really appreciate all the responses and information, thank you. I really like the look of the all inclusive on long caye, ticks every box, but is too expensive for this trip. At the moment it looks like we found a very reasonable deal staying at Mata Rocks resort in San Pedro. It looks nice enough and has a pier to get picked up from once I can settle on a dive shop to go with.
Any specific dive shop suggestions in the area, especially ones that go to the blue hole and maybe offer nearer diving for the other two days? Belize Pro isn't sure they have enough people booked to do a blue hole trip so I am back to hunting around.

I'm so pleased that you chose Mata Rocks! It is one of my favorite spots.

 

[chillyinCanada]

I really appreciate all the responses and information, thank you. I really like the look of the all inclusive on long caye, ticks every box, but is too expensive for this trip. At the moment it looks like we found a very reasonable deal staying at Mata Rocks resort in San Pedro. It looks nice enough and has a pier to get picked up from once I can settle on a dive shop to go with.
Any specific dive shop suggestions in the area, especially ones that go to the blue hole and maybe offer nearer diving for the other two days? Belize Pro isn't sure they have enough people booked to do a blue hole trip so I am back to hunting around.

Amigos goes out to the Blue Hole regularly and I wouldn't go with anyone else (12+ times). But for local diving there are a number of smaller ops that could please you and many of them book their divers onto the Amigos boat for the Blue Hole 3 tank day trip.

 

[chillyinCanada]

I am going to suggest that you perhaps postpone your trip by a month and plan for the full moon in April as whale sharks come in during spring months. Might see them in March but April - May is better.

Seeing them requires an outfit that has a permit to dive at Gladden Spit Marine Reserve which is quite regulated.

As for places we dove out of Placencia and had great accommodations. We and others found the dive operation at Seahorse to quite rigid and controlling to the point that I would not recommend them. Mid week I had long chat with Brian jr the owner and once finished with the week we left zero tip.


Post up as I have read good reviews on SB about them.

I had a wonderful experience with them. OP is not going to Placencia so it doesn't matter.

 

[coldwaterglutton]

Where's a good spot in Placencia for whale shark watching? are the Chabil Mar villas OK?