Sun Dancer II Captain's Logs

[Dancer Fleet]

Air Temp: 82-83º F,
Water Temp: 81º F
3mm Wetsuit recommended

This was another wonderful week with an incredible group from California. All of the 20 travelers were friends and family who had a great time getting together again to experience new adventures under water and share a lot of laughs above as well. Not only could this group strike some amazing dance moves below sea level but also took one of the most successful group shots on the legendary Sun Dancer II hang bar. After arriving on Saturday the divers set up their gear and got comfortable in their staterooms. The safety briefing and introductions took place with a lot of fun and merriment during dinner as the Sun Dancer II departed for Turneffe Island to begin the week of diving.

Underwater a bunch of wonderful sights were seen and experienced, from beautiful reef and rock formations to spotted eagle rays, spotted toad fish, eels, crabs, lobster, octopus, sting rays, sail fin blennies, turtles, lion fish, barracuda, jellyfish, tarpon, Bermuda chubs, jacks and a bunch of other colorful fun fish and creatures.

The weather made a great attempt at always staying sunny and warm, the hot shower on the dive deck was the most popular place to be after dives and the warm towels felt great for these California divers. Compared to the colder water they were used to diving this was a wonderful chance to wear lighter thermal protection and also make 4-5 dives a day. The food was enjoyed and desserts were incredible as usual on board the Sun Dancer II.

Everyone had a memorable time and made the whole week special in different ways. Thank you to all of the divers and non-divers, we enjoyed having such a fun filled group and know that the time spent together will always be remembered.
From all of the crew of the Sun Dancer II, we love you and hope to have you onboard with us again in near future. Thank you!

 

[Dancer Fleet]

Sun Dancer II Captain’s Report Nov 10 – 17, 2012

Air Temp: 82-83º F
Water Temp: 81º F
3mm Wetsuit recommended

What a wonderful week, such a great group of divers and friends. After arriving on Saturday everyone got set up on the dive deck and in their spacious staterooms. All of the wonderful people joined the crew of the Sun Dancer II upstairs in the salon for introductions and the safety briefing. The onboard enthusiast for the week was fourteen year old Morgan who had the group rallied for every dive and made sure not to miss a single one.

The weather was amazing and all of the sea creatures were showing off including a bunch of dolphin that decided to swim past a few divers as they made their way back to the yacht on a dive at Turneffe. Spotted Eagle Rays were appreciated a bunch of times during the week and eels were free swimming with delight. The tarpon and chubs, jacks and angles were always saying hello under the yacht and every dive seemed to reveal something new and exciting.

Night dives were particularly eventful with octopus and other night wildlife coming out to eat and be active. The Blue Hole was also a big enjoyment for the week when everyone got to dive down and enjoy the historic dive site. After the divers went to Half Moon Caye Island and got to experience the tropical paradise of a place barely inhabited by people and pristine in its looks. The land animals and birds were fun to watch and appreciate as well.

Diving this week had many enjoyable surprises but the greatest thing the whole week was getting to spend the time with such an incredibly sweet group of people. The group put together by Scott was truly a pleasure to be around and everyone said it was the best group trip, especially since going on a live aboard was a first for most of them.
On behalf of the entire crew we would like to thank you for such a great time.

From all of the crew of the Sun Dancer II, we love you and hope to have you onboard with us again in near future. Thank you!

 

[Dancer Fleet]

Sun Dancer II Captain’s Report Nov. 17-24, 2012

Air Temp: 82-83º F,
Water Temp: 81º F
3mm Wetsuit recommended

Such a fun filled adventures week of diving the beautiful waters of Belize.
On Saturday everyone joined us onboard the Sun Dancer II and organized their
dive gear and situated into their beautiful staterooms. Upstairs in the salon we all gathered for entertaining introductions from the crew before a safety and accommodations briefing. After it was the guests turn to introduce themselves to the group. We had people from all over the world joining us for this holiday vacation week. Divers from California, Austria, Holland, Canada, France, Ireland (currently living in New York) and a group from England! Everyone embraced their new family and friends for the week and we started making our way out to Turneffe while an amazing dinner was served.

The next morning the diving began and so did all the amazing underwater sightings. Spotted eagle rays, turtles, stingrays, eels of different sizes and colors, small fish, bigger fish and even extremely friendly fish all made each dive a different adventure. On night dives octopus were discovered and by the end of the week the elusive spotted toadfish was finally seen. The whole week brought great surprises and everyone really enjoyed themselves underwater as well as on the yacht.

On one dive site there was a barracuda following the divers around and keeping an eye on the lionfish. At one point we looked down and noticed sharks had also come out to see what all the activity was about. Someone said that it was such an action packed dive, in the sand you could see small things like garden eels and sail fin blennies, yellow headed jaw fish, sting rays feeding, while off the wall the spotted eagle rays, sharks, groupers, and of course the barracuda were all sights to behold.

All of the food was delicious and recipes were shared with interested divers excited to recreate the magic once back home after this week of amazing memories and adventure. The entire crew agreed that it was one of the best Wine and Cheese parties Friday night because the music was playing and everyone was dancing and having a really great time, such an incredible way to end such an amazing week.

From all of the Crew of the Sun Dancer II we would like to thank each and every one of you for joining us this week and making it so wonderful and memorable. We hope to see you again in the future, another chance to spend time together underwater and above sharing memories and laughs.

 

[Dancer Fleet]

Sun Dancer II Captain’s Report Nov. 24 – Dec. 1, 2012

Air Temp: 82-83º F,
Water Temp: 81º F
3mm Wetsuit recommended

Amazing adventures, fun and excitement filled this week onboard the Sun Dancer II. A wonderful group joined us from New York and had an incredible time diving and exploring the reefs of Belize.

On Saturday they boarded the yacht and got situated. All of the divers and non-divers grouped upstairs in the salon for introductions and briefings. A delicious dinner was then served as we headed to Turneffe Island. The next day started with beautiful diving and right away on the check out dive a spotted eagle ray was seen gliding past all the divers, also a green moray was out and about free-swimming. Every dive had a different enjoyable surprise.

Over at Lighthouse Reef the beautiful Half Moon Caye Wall and other sites along the small island were beautiful and remarkable. Over at Long Caye Ridge the little seahorse was admired and photographed. Monday the divers got a chance to venture into the Blue Hole and had a great time after at the island exploring and bird watching.

Everyone said this was an incredible week and judging by the laughs and smiles it definitely was. The group leaders Frank and Donna celebrated an amazing anniversary onboard and were surprised by their friends and fellow travelers who were able to make a big toast and bestow beautiful and funny gifts. Spotted toadfish fun, spotted eagle rays, lionfish, eels, turtles, little creatures and millions of other awesome wildlife were all seen and admired this week.

Thank you everyone for such an amazing time together, we love all of you and from all of the crew of the Sun Dancer II we wish you safe travels and the hope to see you underwater and onboard again.

 

[Dancer Fleet]

Sun Dancer II Captain’s Report Dec 1-8, 2012

Air Temp: 82-83º F,
Water Temp: 81º F
3mm Wetsuit recommended

We had Action Scuba fun on this super awesome week of scuba diving. A wonderful group from Canada joined us on Saturday and got set up on the dive deck and in their beautiful spacious staterooms. All of the fun and laughter started right away as the vacation for these 19 divers began. Upstairs the briefing followed by dinner commenced as we set out to Lighthouse Reef for an amazing week of diving.

Right away the creatures of Belize came out to introduce themselves, eels, spotted eagle rays, even a beautiful manta ray was seen this week gliding past almost grazing the tops of one divers head. Cute turtles and even the elusive spotted toadfish were seen and photographed. A lot of beautiful photography was experienced this week as well, small macro creatures and big wide-angle scenery. On Wednesday we had the opportunity to visit the Blue Hole and everyone enjoyed seeing the historic dive site. After the Blue Hole the divers went on the island adventure and enjoyed all the birds doing their mating rituals. After lunch more diving followed by dinner then dancing.

This was a wonderful week and we have the fabulous people from Canada to thank for making this truly a memorably week, fun filled with exciting adventures.

From all of the crew of the Sun Dancer II we would like to thank you for joining us and we look forward to seeing you again.

 

[Dancer Fleet]

Sun Dancer II Captain’s Report Dec 8 – 15, 2012

Air Temp: 82-83º F,
Water Temp: 81º F
3mm Wetsuit recommended

This week we had amazing adventures and fun on board the Sun Dancer II. We were joined by a lot of returning friends and new ones as well. On Saturday the divers set up all their gear and got settled in at their ‘home away from home’ as some of the returning guests have started calling the yacht. It was a wonderful week with great weather and a bunch of cool stuff to see.

Every dive you get the opportunity to travel along a beautiful wall with the option to stay as shallow as you would like. Most of the fun creatures to see are in the 30-60 foot range and the lighting is really wonderful on the top of the reef as well for all the videographers and photographers on board there was a lot of action to document. The eels were out almost every dive and some were even fighting with each other for attention. The lionfish hunting is still entertaining, especially when you get other creatures to dine on the ocean pest.

We had the opportunity to dive into the Blue Hole this week and it was a great experience for those who had never ventured below the stalactites. After the dive we went to the beautiful island called Half Moon Caye where you get to see a lot of red-footed birds that are always up to something different. The hermit crabs and lizards and geckos were also interesting to watch as you mosey along the path over to the bird observation deck.

All of the fun underwater left the guests happy and hungry for the delicious food on board the vessel. Everyone had a wonderful time and experienced a great week of adventure and leisure.

From all of the crew on board the Sun Dancer II we would like to thank you for such a great week.
Hope we can see you again underwater!

---------- Post added December 31st, 2012 at 08:52 AM ----------

Sun Dancer II Captain’s Report Dec 15 – 22, 2012

Air Temp: 82-83º F,
Water Temp: 81º F
3mm Wetsuit recommended

Fun underwater and beautiful Belize weather made this an amazing and memorable week. The guests joined us onboard the Sun Dancer II on Saturday and got all set up on the dive deck and in their staterooms. Once dinner was served we headed out to beautiful diving and adventures.

All of the creatures were out and about posing for pictures and going about their business. It was fun to watch the interactions some for mating seasons others for territory. All of the beautifully colored fish both large and small were fun to see. The stingrays, spotted eagle rays, eels and lobster were also highlights to watch. Also turtles made an appearance and treated us all to a show.

On the night dives we were greeted with squid, octopus, basket stars and other night dwellers. It is always fun to take your light and if there are any bloodworms around the light you can hold it up to the basket stars and watch as they catch and feed on the little worms. The tarpon are another fish that is super fun to see at night because the silver scales reflect your light and their eyes glow red when the beam reflects against them.

It was a wonderful week and the crew would like to thank everyone who joined us.
Thank you!

 

[Dancer Fleet]

Sun Dancer II Captain’s Report Dec 22-29, 2012

Air Temp: 82-83º F,
Water Temp: 81º F
3mm Wetsuit recommended

What an awesome week of fun and laughter. Everyone joined us onboard Saturday and had a lot of energy and excitement for the week. After everything was set up and ready to go dinner was served and the yacht set out for beautiful diving and adventures.

During the week a lot of sting rays, eels and octopus were seen. Spotted eagle rays soared past divers and sometimes made a trip back along the wall to take another look. A lot of wide-angle opportunities of sponges and other amazing reef life, as well as, macro small things such as the sail fin blenny were discovered. A unique experience and one that a lot of divers don’t want to miss is the Blue Hole, which was enjoyed this week. After the Blue Hole a fun filled trip to the island of Half Moon Caye made the surface interval go fast and entertaining. Upon returning to the yacht, lunch was served and we moved to our afternoon dive site.

Something that is rare to see and very exciting was the juvenile spotted toadfish this week! The spotted toadfish is usually elusive and can most often be found at Turneffe Island; seeing baby versions was really unique. The sound of the toadfish is what is most noticeable and actually getting to see one is much more difficult. It was a wonderful week; great weather, amazing divers and fun filled adventures left this an experience to remember.

Thank you for joining us and from all the crew of the Sun Dancer II we look forward to another opportunity to dive with you.

 

[Dancer Fleet]

Sun Dancer II Captain’s Report Dec 29, 2012 – Jan 5, 2013

Air Temp: 82-83º F,
Water Temp: 81º F
3mm Wetsuit recommended

What an amazing New Year’s Week on board the Sun Dancer II. On Saturday the new divers excitedly arrived and boarded the yacht, getting set up on the dive deck and in their staterooms. Saturday night introductions were made and everyone enjoyed a delicious dinner as the Sun Dancer II headed for Lighthouse Reef. The beautiful weather and wonderful diving started right away and the creatures were all very friendly and photogenic as well.

Every dive there seemed to be something exciting to see. The divers got to see turtles, sharks, rays - both electric and spotted eagle, eels and small creatures like the sail fin blennies and other adorably cute things were all spotted on the dives. On night dives there was a lot to see as well including squid, octopus, sharks at night, glowing eyes of lobster and tarpon, even an amazingly prehistoric looking slipper lobster was seen.

On New Year’s Day the group got to take the first dive of the year into the Blue Hole and experience something that is both memorable and splendid. The long stalactites hanging from the edge of the wall gave the divers a chance to swim behind and see the incredible silhouette of the geological masterpiece. After the historic dive into the depths the group spent a little bit more time off gassing by visiting the island of Half Moon Caye. The weather was so nice and all the birds were there to show their big red necks and also fly around a little to show off. Lunch was served back on the yacht as we went to another dive site for the afternoon.

The entire week was enjoyable, every diver had a great time and the crew of the Sun Dancer II would like to thank each one of you for joining us this week. It was one of the best ways to bring in the New Year, with new friends and amazing memories.

Thank you again and we hope to see you again!

 

[BigJimDiver]

Here's the toadfish. Karim was bummed he didn't have his camera:

 

[BigJimDiver]

Here's the Toadfish: Karim was bummed he didn't have his camera: