Trip on Belize Aggressor with possible land stay question

[Cali_diver]

My husband and I are trying to plan our first liveaboard trip to Belize in April. We were wondering how hard it is to add a couple days on the front end to do a little diving and relaxing? Is there a ferry to take you to other locals?

Any advice or info would be greatly appreciated!!!

 

[Darnold9999]

Belize is a small place, you can drive from Belize City to pretty much anywhere in less than a day. Three places I have been are Ambergrise Caye, Placencia, and the interior Cayo district. If you are set on diving Ambergrise is probably the best for easy local diving with a bit of local favour. You can either fly - a short flight or take the local "ferry" (an open speedboat) fun to take one way but a bit hard on the body as it pounds over the ocean. It is very much a tourist town. Good place to spend a few days. Placencia feels like a 60's hippie beach town. Also a good place to spend a few days to chill out. However the diving requires a bit more planning. The reef is a ways out so a dive trip pretty much takes the entire day. I don't believe that there is a ferry from Belize City to Placencia. You will need to fly or drive. The drive is pretty and will take most of a day, the flight short.

Personally I would rent a car and drive up into the mountians and stay a couple of days in the interior. No diving, but Myan ruins, a river to explore, horseback trails, an interesting town, San Ignacio to explore. Lots to do and cooler than the coast. A link to options Cayo District Belize - CAYO, a World leader in Ecotourism

 

[diversteve]

If you're going to be there after April 6th, you might consider trying to Whale Shark dive. Dives are to Gladden Spit off south Belize. The full moon is April 6th so the 7-10 days after that are the likely dates to see them. One option would be to fly down to Placencia and book with Avadon Divers or Splash Dive Center. There are lodging options in all price ranges in the area from relatively inexpensive in town to nicer resorts just north of there. We kind of liked the look of Laru Beya. Mayan Air and Tropic Air are the two local carriers.

The Aggressor won't go anywhere near that area, they stay north and dive around Lighthouse, the Blue Hole etc.

fwiw, I've never been there, after doing all the research for a trip last year we went to Turks/Caicos instead - better deal on the T/C Explorer.

 

[Cali_diver]

Thanks for the info diversteve!!!

 

[robint]

If I were going to Belize for a liveaboard trip, and wanted to get there 2-3 days early, it would be to do Land tours, not diving! Your liveaboard is going to give you the best diving. On land, in Belize, you have the MAYAN empire at its best, as well as dozens of jungle tours, caves to explore, river tubing, etc. I cannot imagine going to that country and NOT doing a few of these tours.

Jaguar Paw Jungle Resort - Belize eco-tourism & Adventure - YouTube
Belize Maya Travel-Ancient Mayan Civilization, Tikal Maya Ruins
Belize ATM Cave Video - YouTube
Belize Vacations - Cahal Pech Village Resort - San Ignacio Belize Resort
Belize Mayan Ruin Tours

don't mean to be pushy, but this is my DREAM trip - a week on Belize Liveaboard and a week land-based exploring ruins and jungle.

robin

 

[Cali_diver]

I will definetly take that into consideration!!!