Need advice - Belize, Roatan and Coz

[H2Andy]

I would skip the 'dolphin dive'. Very few divers of any broad
experience base come back with glowing reports, but many return from the
Dolphin Snorkel Encounter beaming.

you'll love the snorkel encounter. it's awesome. the best part, actually,
is just standing in the water with the dolphin and hanging out.

awesome

 

[mjnansen]

If you look at www.roatanet.com their is a section for cruise ship travellers and has links for places that cater to day trips and cruise ship passengers. Many dive shops will pick up cruise ship passengers- I dive with Native Sons and they will take cruise passengers as well- just e-mail them. I've never dove with Sueno del Mar, but I have heard good things about them. If you decide to look at Roatan properties PM me- I can recommend a great real estate agent!

 

[rpodos]

I often advise people with short breaks from cruise ships to contact Sea Sports Belize in Belize City. They can often arrange a trip going out later in the morning than the norm there which is before 8am. Incidentally, I have absolutely no business connection with them.

As to diving or snorkelling with dolphins, I've done both on numerous occasions and it's a magical experience. Even more so with Orcas. But only if the creatures are free to come and go - the idea of animals as intelligent as these being penned up makes me feel sick.

Where have you been with Orcas?

 

[peterbj7]

Where have you been with Orcas?

Smitty's Cove at Whittier, a bit south of Anchorage, Alaska.

 

[H2Andy]

But only if the creatures are free to come and go - the idea of animals as intelligent as these being penned up makes me feel sick.

you really need to look into this a bit more. the rope "barrier" along the dolphin
enclosures can't keep out a dolphin if they really wanted to get out.

life in the wild is pretty harsh, particularly for male dolphins. also, they get lots
of attention and get to play (which intelligent animals love to do) with dolphins
and people.

it's a pretty good life for a dolphin

now, i'm not talking about a dolphin in a small pool 100 miles from the ocean. the
guys at Anthony's Key Resort are right on the ocean, with just a strand of rope
between them and a jump to freedom.

some make it out. i have it on good authority that they all have come back running

also, they take all the dolphins out a few times a year (they are trained to follow
the boat) and let them play in the open waters. again, the dolphins come back
voluntarily.

just some things to think about. not all dolphin places are created equal.

 

[shadowdiver]

The dolphins do have it quite good at AKR. They even have their food flown in. I have heard that dolphins live in family pods and that when some of the dolphins are let out, that only part of the family is let out and because of that the dolphins will always return. I have actually done the dolphin encounter/snorkle and it was an amazing experience. Not heard much good stuff about the dolphin dive a bit of a hit and miss affair. Check out Coconut Tree Divers in West End, Roatan. They offer a morning two tank dive and have one of the better boats down on the West End, big, covered, nice on/off ladder with platform. They are also one of the only shops down in the West End that sends off air samples every three months. Very safety conscious.

 

[peterbj7]

Sounds as if AKR runs a sensible dolphin pen. Many aren't as good.

 

[Jay_SMART_Diver]

On my cruise in November I'm using Scuba With Allison in Cozumel, and in Belize Sea Sports Belize

 

[scubaotter]

Sea Sports in Belize were really helpful when my husband and I dove with them from a cruise. The ship was almost three hours late into port but, they waited for us and took us out on a nice two tank dive. Diving in Belize was more expensive than Coz and Grand Cayman.

The Inn of Last Resort offers diving for people from the cruise ship in Roatan. I have stayed with them and they run a nice operation.

In Coz you have multiple choices. We dove with Pappa Hogs and were impressed. I know of a lot of people who have really enjoyed diving with Christi at bluextseadiving.

Whomever you decide to go with have a great time and dive safe.