Looking for advice on best combo of dive resort and good beach....

[Carnell04]

...in Belize. My wife likes good food and a nice beach. I like good food and diving of course. She doesn't dive or even swim.

So far, it looks like Hamanasi has the best combo of diving and a nice, secluded beach? Agree? If not, where?

Also, are the boats decent sized? Calmest waters of year to go? June? I have gotten sea sick with small boats and rough waters a couple of times. I know the ride to blue hole is far. Is there a better part of Belize to go to for diving?

Thanks!

 

[peterbj7]

I don't know what your other requirements are, but you could investigate Tranquility Bay resort at the northern end of Ambergris Caye, some 13 miles from San Pedro. Ticks several of your boxes. Tranquility Bay Resort, Snorkel From The Beach, PADI Certified Dive Resort | Ambergris Caye Dive Resort

 

[Carnell04]

Thanks. I guess another big factor is length of the boat rides. Who offers the shortest ones to the best diving? How long are those trips?

 

[peterbj7]

Anywhere along Ambergris Caye has short rides to the reef, with TBR having probably the shortest of the lot - you could easily swim it. Tobacco Caye and Southwater Caye have diving virtually from the shore. And there are various specialist small diving resorts scattered on islands in the three atolls. But if you go there diving is all you'll be doing. Otherwise if you want to dive somewhere other than where you'll be staying you'll have boat journeys, of varying lengths. There really is no "right" answer to this. If you've never been here I think you'll have to plump for a reasonable fit to your wishes and see how it goes. If you want good (ie. elaborate) food that won't be on the atolls. If you want "night life" or even just TV that also won't be on the atolls. I stick to what I said, that TBR seems to be a pretty good fit. It also has a highly-regarded restaurant. But that won't tick all your boxes, and more than anywhere else will. If you stay at Hamanasi for example you'll be every bit as isolated as you would be at TBR but you'll also have long boat rides, every day.

I think perhaps you need to read up quite a bit on Belize. Or just come here on a "best estimate" basis. You won't find conventional first world all-inclusives or facilities anywhere, as that's not what Belize is about.

 

[Downing]

Take a look at the three resorts out on the atoll: Turneffe Island Resort, Turneffe Flats and Blackbird Caye Resort. All three are about 30 miles off the coast but once you get there the boat rides are short, like 5 minutes. The Blue Hole's about an hour away. Food is good but not gourmet. Nightlife is what you make of it. Secluded, tropical island experience.

Placencia has very nice beaches and has several high end resorts that would probably make your wife happy, e.g., Francis Ford Coppola's Turtle Inn.

Ambergris Caye is by far the biggest tourist draw and is diverse enough to make pretty much anyone happy.

Hamanasi gets high marks, too.

I agree with Peter. Read up on Belize, including the threads here and I also recommend this guide: http://www.amazon.com/Belize-Insigh...r_1_10?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1297717281&sr=1-10.

 

[richh32]

hello
I stayed at the Mata Rocks resort 2x in the last two years. Small and intimate. Probably less than a dozen rooms, all oceanfront. They have a small beach area, a pool, hot tub and a small little bar. No restaurant on prem but one next door and it is within walking distance of downtown(south of downtown), which in my opinion is where you want to be. If you are on the north side you have to either take a water taxi to get downtown or rent a golf cart and you have to go through a toll booth and pay both ways. I could be wrong but I dont think there are cars north of town. As far as diving the shops will pick you up at the hotel's pier drop you off and the dive sites are all within 10 min ride. I wouldnt worry about waves too much, dont let that deter you from some excellent diving there. If you can Hol Chan night dives are sweet. Tons of stingrays and free swimming moray eels. Have fun!

 

[Carnell04]

Appreciate, guys. Short boat rides and the beach are most important. Food is too but I am sure the food is decent there I think I am leaning to where Peter said (Tranquility). Will still investigate others though.

 

[Carnell04]

So from what I understand, TBR is the best place for a combination of short rides, food and nice beach without going to one of these island dive resorts? I don't think our two wives would go for the dive only resort islands.

How far s the blue hole from TBR?

 

[peterbj7]

The BH ride will be quite a long one. You will leave from SP town, but first you have to get there, which will take 30-45 minutes. People do go to the BH from there so clearly this transport is arranged, but you'll have to ask them about details.

All beaches in Belize are public by law - there is no such thing as a private beach. That said, on some beaches there is less passing traffic than on others. TBR has very little traffic because there are only a few private houses beyond it; around town most beaches are busy with passing people, walking or cycling, with the occasional police motorcyclist.

Carlos, half of the management team at TBR, is often here. If he spots this thread I have no doubt he'll comment.

 

[tobytruelove]

Hi Carnell04
Toby here from Hamanasi, our dive boats are 43' and 45', the water in June should be fairly flat, but if you're worried about being sea sick we have Dramamine in the shop.
we have a great quiet beach, and a lot of inland tours for your wife, please check out the website or feel free to drop me an email at toby@hamanasi.com if you have any more questions.