Sun Dancer II Captain's Logs

[Dancer Fleet]

[h=1]Sun Dancer II April 14 - 21, 2012
Air Temp: 85-90º F,
Wind, Calm
Water Temp: 81º F
3mm Wetsuit recommended

Having recently returned from the Dominican Republic after 12 weeks away the crew of the Sun Dancer II were excited to be back home and ready to set out to familiar waters for a great week of diving with new friends.

On Saturday we welcomed aboard Steve who had a wonderful group of divers join us, among them Jeff, Debbie, John, Jody, Mark, Anne, Bruce, Ken and Shar, also Julie and Malcolm, Renee and Bill, Kevin and Lorraine, in addition to Andrea’s group of Martin, Elfriede and Roland. Everyone was welcomed aboard and started feeling right at home. After setting up gear and getting situated they reconvened in the salon for the safety briefing and introductions. Setting out to sea after dinner made for a pleasant crossing and the next morning they awoke in the beautiful blue waters of Lighthouse Reef.

Sunday started off beautifully with an amazing check out dive on Long Caye Wall. The divers were met with sea creatures you always hope to see on a dive let alone the first one of a trip. Turtles, sharks, grouper and eel were among the fun things people reported seeing. The second dive site was Catheral and also offered an amazing array of interesting wildlife. All and all the first day of diving was one to remember since everyone was surprised at how much they got to see in just the first day.

On Monday when most are going back to work our 20 guests were taking giant strides into the epic waters at Half Moon Caye Wall. This dive site has a friendly barracuda and two extremely photogenic gray angelfish always willing to say “hello”. The divers made their way thru the cut and came out on other side of the reef off the wall. Along they went until it was time to head back and took the sandy side, which was filled with stingrays and garden eels. Uno Coco was the afternoon dive site and also had plenty of aquatic action to enjoy and photograph.

Our Tuesday started at Painted Wall, a dive site known for having wonderful colors from the coral and creatures. All the divers got a chance to see beautiful reef and the dark blues off the wall. Eels, lobster, barracuda and schools of little fish were enjoyed. Long Caye Ridge was the afternoon and night dive location. The most exciting adventure during the night came when a mother and father eel were spotted looking after three little tiny baby eels. It was mesmerizing to see their little eel faces sticking out of the wall and the parents so much bigger.

Wednesday was our big dive at the Blue Hole. Famous for being shaped like a perfect circle we moored the yacht near one edge and made our dive along the side. Once reaching 130 feet the group went around the stalactites that make it look more like spelunking at some moments then diving. With the flashlights illumination the walls and rock formation the dive took on a completely new dimension than the divers were used to during the rest of the week. The second morning dive was actually an adventure at Half Moon Caye Island. It is truly a beautiful place that will stay with you a long time after your visit. The birds are delightful and the tall palm trees make for the perfect ‘paradise’ atmosphere. The afternoon was enjoyed at Tarpon Cave. The site lived up to its name especially on the night dive when the tarpon light up with the reflection of the dive lights, making their eyes glow as they swim close.

On Thursday the divers enjoyed Silver Cave that had turtles, sharks and of course countless cute fish faces. During lunch we traveled over to Grand Bouge that was a wonderful dive for the afternoon and early evening / night dive. The whole week was worth the wait since we had just returned from the Domincan Republic and getting to go diving with such an incredible group of people made it the highlight of our month.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, you will be a group we forever remember in our hearts and minds. All of our new friends will be missed and we look forward to meeting up underwater with each and every one of you again.

Thank you from the entire Sun Dancer II crew. [/h]

 

[Dancer Fleet]

Sun Dancer II Captain's Report April 21 - 28, 2012

Sun Dancer II
April 21st, 2012
Air Temp: 85-90º F,
Wind, Calm
Water Temp: 81º F
3mm Wetsuit recommended

Our wonderful Saturday Belizean weather helped us welcome 20 new friends and divers onboard the Sun Dancer II. The fabulous groups were from Boston and Texas. We got to meet Chris and Dennis, Robin and Tim, Sandi and Mike, Jan and Stuart, Terri and Catherine, John and Mike, Al and Kate, Alex and Sarah, Rick and Missy and Paul and Terry. After the rooms and dive deck looked complete with gear and happy travelers we called everyone up to the salon for a safety briefing and crew/guest introductions. Later that evening we set out to Turneffe Island to wake up to beautiful diving in the morning.

Sunday started with an extended dive deck briefing followed by the ‘check out’ dive. This was a great opportunity for everyone to get all of the weighting perfected, as it is so important. During the dive at Front Porch a free-swimming eel was spotted and we got to swim along with it until the giant found a new rock to hide under. The second dive site the divers got to explore was Grand Bogue that offered an array of fun fish, turtle, stingrays and more. This was also the dive site location that offered many exciting surprises; plenty of slipper lobsters, basket stars and even an octopus.

On Monday Bulls Bay was the first dive site with a beautiful wall with different reef structure along the top as well. More eels were spotted and fish of every color and size were seen swimming about. The afternoon location had a wild encounter between Mike and an octopus. It went for his camera, but luckily he was able to hang on. The same octopus was seen the next dive reaching into a giant conch shell. After plenty of time getting out the meat it was spied swimming away with it. An octopus is very exciting to see especially during the daylight. The thin slit of its eyes could be seen at some moments opened up looking around at the divers and their cameras.

Tuesday had the enjoyment of diving at Tarpon Caves. It is fitting that you would
see tarpon at this site and as soon as everyone jumped in this dive was no different. The beautiful wall had plenty of small fish, shrimp, lobster and clams. Also the fans, coral and sponges made for a bouquet of beauty to enjoy as well. When you came over the wall and back to the sandy side there was a stingray buried in the white sand with only its eyes and tail sticking out. After letting our guests take plenty of pictures it decided to move on - giving a great show of gliding along the sand then grass. The tiny garden eels were also enjoyable as they always have those cute faces sticking out of the sand when you swim over. Later in the afternoon the site of choice was Elkhorn Forest. This has a wonderful sloping wall that becomes steep only at 65 feet. In the 40 foot range a little shark was spotted and a turtle, fish touching mouths and other exciting animal behaviors. The night dive had almost everyone on the boat jump in for the fun of being underwater in the dark exploring.

Uno Coco is translated to “one coconut” and also the name of our Wednesday morning dive site. On the two morning dives more sharks were spotted and everyone said how warm and clear the water felt and looked. The afternoon dives at Cathedral quickly became very memorable when the big 6-foot black tip reef sharks made circles around all the divers and they got to look into their eyes as they got close. Also a giant turtle was marveled at as its age was discussed considering it looked prehistoric. The beautiful warm blue water kept smiles on everyone’s faces even though the shark encounters became the most memorable aspect of the day. The dinner was delicious and the night dive that followed had squid showing off their beautiful rainbow color markings that always look translucent and mesmerizing.

Thursday the divers found themselves at one of the most beautiful dive sites Half Moon Caye Wall. The dive started with Eddy leading the divers as planned thru a crack heading to the deep side of the wall. Just as they emerged on the other side a shark swam past and just a few kicks down the wall the shark turned around and made another pass right beneath all the divers. Astonishingly he turned around and came straight at the divers again as if the first pass wasn’t enough. About eight minutes later an incredible spotted eagle ray was gliding along the wall just underneath the divers. And about twenty feet below the spotted eagle ray was another shark, both going in the same direction very slowly. A friendly grouper stayed by Eddy’s side the entire dive waiting for the possibility of a lionfish bite from his spear. About half way thru the dive they made a turn and noticed an amazing turtle, the whole dive was filled with adventure and excitement.

Friday started at Sandy Slope and the morning dive had the most incredible spotted eagle ray sighting to date. Three were gliding along the wall and one was coming from the other direction. When it met up with the three it made a turn and joined the group. The entire week was some of the best diving Belize has to offer, constant fun on board as well. Thank you everyone for such an incredible week.

Much Love from the crew of the Sun Dancer II

 

[Queen Triggerfish]

I can't wait until I'M one of the divers you are writing about!

16 days and counting ...

 

[Dancer Fleet]

Sun Dancer II Captain's Log April 28 - May 5, 2012

Sun Dancer II
April 28 – May 5th, 2012
Air Temp: 85-90º F,
Wind, Calm
Water Temp: 81º F
3mm Wetsuit recommended

On a beautiful Belizean Saturday twenty guests arrived to board the Sun Dancer II. Joining us this week are David and Alan, Charles and Karen, Keith and Suzanne, Brenda and Anne, Mary and Deanna, Charles and Keith, James and Stephanie, David and John, Lori and Michael, Sandy and Thomas. Everyone was in a great mood as they set up gear in their new home for the week. The dive deck was abuzz with the divers getting situated. After everything was organized the group met upstairs in the salon for a safety briefing and introductions. That night the yacht departed from Belize City and made its way out to Lighthouse Reef to begin diving the next morning.

The first ‘check out dive’ was at Long Caye Ridge known for having beautiful blue water and an amazing reef. The fish welcomed the new divers with friendly faces and some eel smiles. All the grouper seem to know that divers are friendly and slowly swim past; even a barracuda will stop to say “hello”. It was a great first dive site that everyone really enjoyed. The afternoon dives were enjoyed at Cathedral where they all enjoy swimming through the canyons. Here the wall has wonderful coral, sponges and of course interesting creatures among all of the color. For a night dive this site is wonderful offering the opportunity for divers to find octopus, sleeping rainbow fish and of course basket stars in their entire spender.

Monday started the day at Half Moon Caye Island where we dove at Tarpon Cave. The visibility was awesome, which had the divers jumping into beautiful sunlight water as they made the decent to a wall filled with numerous creatures to enjoy and take pictures of. The tarpon always staying at a distance during the day were making their way above the divers, while a big friendly green moray posed for some of the best photos. We also saw two spotted eagle rays on the wall, a reef shark and a loggerhead turtle. For the afternoon dive we move over to Long Caye Ridge where everyone was delighted with beautiful waters, marvelous fish, friendly grouper and the amazing dive bar to spend a completely fun safety stop under the yacht after the dives.

The next day was another perfect day starting at Half Moon Caye Wall where the divers did giant strides into the blue warm water. Picture opportunities were around every turn along with small shrimp and toby fish. Even a turtle was spotted swimming along the wall enjoying itself doing turtle business amongst the hogfish and groupers. The cleaning stations are always exciting to stop and enjoy the action and the divers were able to see little cleaners taking care of the bigger fish. A spotted eagle ray gliding by was a big part of the action, but the highlight of the dive was a pipe seahorse spotted right under the yacht. After lunch the afternoon dives were enjoyed at Long Cay Wall and to the delight of all the divers who got a chance to explore the new terrain a few reef sharks were spotted on the wall. The night dive also had some exciting discoveries such as slipper lobsters, octopus and Caribbean squids.

Wednesday we had an amazing first dive at the great Blue Hole where everyone enjoyed the splendor of the morning and the long awaited dive. In a few words as some describe their dive “It was a marvelous day”. For the afternoon dive we then move over to Painted Wall. After making their descent all eyes were wide and excited to see what the new site might offer. A stingray, groupers, barracuda and even some extra photographic angelfish were spotted. And what a way to end the dive as the biggest loggerhead turtle of all times swam by - all making for a truly memorable day.

The final complete day of diving started at Silver Caves, which is known for having big soft corals off the wall. This made for exciting logbook entries as everyone weightlessly move along the wall before making a turn up into the reef. The enjoyment of being underwater was capitalized by the amount of creatures swimming about the divers. There was a wonderful variety of colorful fish, slithering eels, menacing looking barracudas and of course the always-elegant angelfish. We also saw two reef sharks. Everyone loved the animal behaviors and also took some time to slow down and find tiny critters; some juvenile and others full grown miniature sized macro photography candidates. For the afternoon and evening dives we decided to move over to the island of Turneffe. Here we dove at Buls Bay and Front Porch. It seemed as if there was an eel party going on for we saw two green moray eels out free swimming and three spotted eels who posed for the cameras. Everyone also had the privilege to see the elusive spotted toadfish and many guests got good photographs. The next morning the dawn dive and morning dive were at Sandy Slope. These final dives were very exciting with more creatures and friendly faces swimming past.

This has been a truly enjoyable week and on behalf of the entire crew we would like to thank all of our guests for joining us on such a memorable, adventurous week. Thank you again and we all sincerely hope to dive with you again in the future.

Love from the Sun Dancer II

 

[Dancer Fleet]

Sun Dancer II Captain's Log May 5 - 12, 2012

Sun Dancer II
May 5^th – 12th, 2012
Air Temp: 85-90º F,
Wind, Calm
Water Temp: 81º F
3mm Wetsuit recommended

Saturday we had the opportunity to meet a new group of enthusiastic divers and welcome them aboard the Sun Dancer II. Joining us this week was April and Gary, DeNise and Mike, Luc and Eric, James and Glenn, William and Cynthia, Amy and Luke, Clifton and Gary, Jeffrey and Katherine, Olivia and Francois and Christian and Marie-Jos. After an energetic gear setting up and moving into their state rooms the group gathered in the salon for a safety and yacht briefing along with crew introductions. The next order of business was to enjoy a delightful meal and then later in the evening set out to Light house Reef for diving in the morning.

The first day of diving started at 0745hr with a deck and dive briefing at Long Caye Ridge where the check out dive took place. The divers got to enjoy their first experience of Belize’s beautiful blue ocean water. The sunlight bringing some of the most splendid colors out of the coral and reef energizing divers as they slowly kicked along the way. Some of the fun stuff to see was an eel, angelfish, lobster and tarpon. A barracuda is always fun to photograph with its toothy smile. The afternoon dives were at Sand Box and everyone loved the variety of fish and creatures. A turtle and stingray were found and enjoyed by the lucky ones to catch a glimpse.

Monday is usually the start of a workweek, but for these 20 divers the fun was just getting started. The morning dives were at Tarpon Cave and the water temperature was the perfect wake up, as it felt cool but not cold, warm and comfortable for the 45 to hour-long dives. Rainbow fish with their front teeth always on a mission, cleaning stations in full effect and a turtle swimming past made for constant entertainment during the morning dives. An eel face sticking out of the wall and lobster were discovered, along with subtle creature like the grouper who just wander and hang out around the divers. When you go in close for a photo they always seem to turn slowly, either to give you their good side or turn around in shyness. We also had the honor to swim with a Hammerhead Shark! For the afternoon the dives were at Half Moon Caye where we also saw an eight-foot Reef Shark. The rest of the day was filled with adventure and discovery.

Tuesday was a unanimous decision to head back to Half Moon Caye for our morning dives. Half Moon Caye Wall is known for having fun creatures and friendly fish. Here we saw a few spotted eagle rays and a hogfish as he was showing different designs. Also trumpet fish and flamingo tongues were pointed out, along with the fish that need no introductions like the Bermuda chubs always hanging out under the boat and Southern stingrays hanging out and feeding on the bottom. The afternoon site was Cathedral. On this dive it seemed as if there was a Creole wrasse party. We also had three reef sharks on the first dive and a black tip on the second dive. Everyone enjoy swimming through the canyons that this dive has to offer. Over all it was a great day. Not too many night divers for this night as most of them decided to save all their energy for the great Blue Hole the following day.

Wednesday - Yes the following day was here and everybody was excited about it. Diving into the Blue Hole is no ordinary dive; there is always a lot of excitement about free falling on the wall. After the Blue Hole dive we made our land stop at Half Moon Caye to check out the red-footed boobies and iguanas. The rest of the day was just as exciting with two beautiful dives and a night dive.

Thursday morning we dove at two of our old time favorite sites; Painted Wall and later we moved on to Aquarium. And to make the day even more fun, after one dive here we moved again to Dock Place and again to Front Porch, where we ended the day of diving with our night dive. Throughout the day we saw black tip reef sharks, spotted eagle rays, free swimming green morays, turtles, the elusive spotted toad fish, groupers and by request we were able to remove a few lionfish from the reef.

Friday morning arrived with us on the other side of the island at a dive site called Sandy’s Slope. This is a very shallow dive with a slopping wall were we always see some of the biggest spotted eagle rays, and of course the opportunity to encounter our famous spotted toad fish again. After two dives here it was time to head back where it all started. And so we ended a beautiful week aboard the Sun Dancer II where we the crew and the Dancer Fleet Staff in general appreciate you and thank you for joining us this week. We truly hope to see you all again.

From your favorite crew - PEACE & LOVE

 

[Aggressor Adventures]

Sun Dancer II Captain's Report June 9 - 16, 2012

Sun Dancer II Captain's Report June 9 - 16, 2012

The week started marvelously with an amazing group joining us from the New York Aquarium Dive Team, including 6 wonderful new friends from the US. After getting to know each other and hearing the general and safety briefing there was a delicious dinner prepared by Chief Carlos. Then it was time to get rested for the next morning.

Sun Dancer II
June 9th – 16th
Air Temp: 80-81º F,
Calm
Water Temp: 81º F
3mm Wetsuit recommended

On Sunday the underwater adventure started at Lighthouse Reef where the group got to meet all of the local sea creatures. The rest of the week held great weather and the opportunity to dive the Blue Hole arose on Thursday when the group descended into the deep to explore cave like stalactites.

Some of the most exciting things spotted during the week included a couple squid during day and night dives, octopus at night, sharks or CRS (Caribbean reef sharks) as someone humorously called them, turtles, spotted eagle rays, schools of colorful fish and many many small creatures - too many to list. The calibration atmosphere of the trip was palpable having such a great group of people exploring the reef and a few people making every dive offered during the week. Everyone took pictures and/or posed for others. The adventure underwater always had something exciting to discover.

We would like to thank everyone for joining us on such a truly memorable week. Each diver proved to have incredible buoyancy and we all thought it was one of the best weeks ever. Thank you for joining us and we look forward to seeing each of you again someday underwater.

Much love from your crew of the Sun Dancer II

 

[Dancer Fleet]

Sun Dancer II Captain's Report June 16 - 23, 2012

Sun Dancer II
June 16-23
Air Temp: 80-81º F,
Calm
Water Temp: 81º F
3mm Wetsuit recommended

This week was an adventure to be remembered. On Saturday we welcomed an incredibly outgoing group from Texas! Everyone was in a great mood to be in Belize and boarding the beautiful Sun Dancer II for a week of diving in the blue waters. After getting situated and meeting the crew the safety briefing was followed by dinner and then we departed for the Lighthouse Reef. As the first divers stepped off the back of the dive deck the week splashed into action and the underwater sea creatures did not disappoint. From spotted eagle rays to sharks, conch and eels; even a sea horse - everything was out to be seen and photographed. The divers enjoyed the sun as it warmed up during the week and on some nights the sky lit up with memorable sunsets you would have to be in Belize to experience.

Underwater the adventures continued with Lion Fish hunting as some fed pieces to eels and groupers. Turtles were greeting divers at different walls and on top of the reefs. Small creatures were enjoyed by those with sharp eyes and macro lenses. On the sand the garden eels stood at attention as the divers glided past. Barracuda and friendly groupers hovered around and schools of brightly colored fish made things beautiful at every turn.

Thank you everyone that was with us onboard this week. We would love to see you all underwater sometime soon!
With Love from the crew of the Sun Dancer II

 

[Dancer Fleet]

Sun Dancer II
June 23-30, 2012
Air Temp: 80-81º F,
Water Temp: 81º F
3mm Wetsuit recommended

Saturday afternoon the crew of the Sun Dancer II welcomed onboard a wonderful group of divers from the US and BVI. The itinerary started with a safety briefing and a chance to get to know the crew and guests. After dinner and a delicious desert we departed Belize City and headed for the beautiful Lighthouse Reef. The next morning we awoke to blue waters and the sun shining. The first dives people had a chance to see spotted eagle rays, eels, stingrays and an assortment of colorful fish of all shapes and sizes. The divers enjoyed exquisite homemade snacks in between the dives and amazing meals between the other dives, having fun and dance parties at night and sometimes even underwater.





During the week the diving continued to get even more exciting as sharks swam past and turtles were seen devouring sponges, angelfish posed for pictures and eels were admired breathing their toothy breaths. All of the stingrays were ignoring the close encounter divers as they hovered above admiring the action in the sand and sea grass. Getting to dive into the Blue Hole came mid week and after the land adventure excursion was also memorable and enjoyable.




Thank you everyone for such a wonderful week, you are all enjoyable and made this such an incredible adventure!

Much Love from the Crew of the Sun Dancer II

 

[BigBevo]

Sounds like great times. Will be in Belize tomorrow

 

[Dancer Fleet]

Sun Dancer II
June 30^th –July 7th
Air Temp: 80-81º F,
Water Temp: 81º F
3mm Wetsuit recommended

The week was exceptionally artsy with Rogest onboard bringing his lighthearted fun and colorful pallet to share with the divers. Saturday everyone boarded the Sun Dancer II and set up dive gear and got situated into their staterooms. People from all over the globe including Russia, Canada and the US joined us for this exciting and unique Family Week! After dinner we motored out to Lighthouse Reef and rested in anticipation for the week to come.



Each day the divers were met with wondrous sea creatures and adventures underwater. The beautiful clear blue water and bright reef made for comfortable diving and opportunities to take pictures and enjoy hovering weightless over and on top of the wall. One dive on the way back to the yacht a small nurse shark was seen eating a fish, very action packed as it thrashed around and kicked up sand. Another dive had a friendly turtle pose for over twenty minutes while the divers admired and documented the event. Spotted eagle rays were swimming past in two’s and three’s. On one dive a couple people even got to see four eagle rays unite in a wonderful show. Plenty of other creatures were seen and spied on while we watched them go about their everyday ramblings.




The opportunity arose to visit the Blue Hole on the 4^th of July, making for a very memorable American holiday. After the deep dive the divers went onto the island of Half Moon Caye and explored and admired different land creatures, including the birds, hermit crabs and iguanas.




The whole week was one to remember with good times and plenty of laughs. We would like to especially thank Rogest for being such a fun art leader and enthusiast underwater as well. His artwork and good heart made everyone feel fortunate to be involved with such a unique Family Week on board the Sun Dancer II.



From all of the crew we would like thank you for joining us and we hope to see you again underwater for more fun and good times.

With Love from the crew of the Sun Dancer II