Turneffe Caye - $114 or Lighthouse Caye -$185 ?

[pilot fish]

The travel agent told me that if I choose to go to either of these two Cayes it will cost me that much extra -$114 to go to Turneffe Caye and $185 to got to Lighthouse Caye. Seems a bit much to me but I have no idea. I know it's about a 2 hour ride by boat from Ambergris Caye, where I'm staying, so I like to know which is the better site to dive, the better value? I'm staying at Ramon's Village and will be diving with their Dive Op.Thanks.

 

[jakubson]

The travel agent told me that if I choose to go to either of these two Cayes it will cost me that much extra -$114 to go to Turneffe Caye and $185 to got to Lighthouse Caye. Seems a bit much to me but I have no idea. I know it's about a 2 hour ride by boat from Ambergris Caye, where I'm staying, so I like to know which is the better site to dive, the better value? I'm staying at Ramon's Village and will be diving with their Dive Op.Thanks.

Turneffe is mostly a reef slope, gradually sloping to 90 or 100 ft. Lighthouse Reef (are you sure you mean Lighthouse Caye?) has a steep wall that starts at between 30 and 60 ft, depending on the site. I only did two dives at Turneffe, since we spent the week at Lighthouse Reef, of both Long Caye and Half Moon Caye. However, based on that small sample, I would recommend Lighthouse reef.

 

[Hank49]

If you're going on the day trip from a dive shop in San Pedro, Lighthouse is more expensive because it's a lot farther and the boats use a lot more gas. You cross through Turneffe on the way there and then cross more blue, maybe rough water. The Blue Hole is at Light house and as "jakubson" said, the wall dives may be a bit nicer. But, the Elbow off the south end of Turneffe is pretty nice too. It's kind of a high energy spot off the south tip. It just feels "pelagic" with big, blue water.

 

[jakubson]

If you're going on the day trip from a dive shop in San Pedro, Lighthouse is more expensive because it's a lot farther and the boats use a lot more gas. You cross through Turneffe on the way there and then cross more blue, maybe rough water. The Blue Hole is at Light house and as "jakubson" said, the wall dives may be a bit nicer. But, the Elbow off the south end of Turneffe is pretty nice too. It's kind of a high energy spot off the south tip. It just feels "pelagic" with big, blue water.

I've heard a lot about the Elbow, and it sounds like a very good dive. I did not do that dive. My dive was not "spectacular" but was enjoyable. LOTS of lobster, and I found my only toadfish of the trip (although I heard and felt them everywhere). The "Attack Lobster" and "Toadfish" pictures in my Belize album in my gallery are from Turneffe.

 

[pilot fish]

Turneffe is mostly a reef slope, gradually sloping to 90 or 100 ft. Lighthouse Reef (are you sure you mean Lighthouse Caye?) has a steep wall that starts at between 30 and 60 ft, depending on the site. I only did two dives at Turneffe, since we spent the week at Lighthouse Reef, of both Long Caye and Half Moon Caye. However, based on that small sample, I would recommend Lighthouse reef.

Yes, I mean Lighthouse Reef. Sorry You don't think $185 on top of the diving package is too steep? I was told to take a pass on the Blue Hole because it is boring. What are your feelings? Is it a far boat trip from Ramon's Village Resort to Lighthouse Reef?

 

[pilot fish]

If you're going on the day trip from a dive shop in San Pedro, Lighthouse is more expensive because it's a lot farther and the boats use a lot more gas. You cross through Turneffe on the way there and then cross more blue, maybe rough water. The Blue Hole is at Light house and as "jakubson" said, the wall dives may be a bit nicer. But, the Elbow off the south end of Turneffe is pretty nice too. It's kind of a high energy spot off the south tip. It just feels "pelagic" with big, blue water.

I'll be at Ramon's Village on Ambergris Caye, is that San Pedro? Lot of pelagic at Turneffe?

 

[pilot fish]

I've heard a lot about the Elbow, and it sounds like a very good dive. I did not do that dive. My dive was not "spectacular" but was enjoyable. LOTS of lobster, and I found my only toadfish of the trip (although I heard and felt them everywhere). The "Attack Lobster" and "Toadfish" pictures in my Belize album in my gallery are from Turneffe.

I'll make a note of Elbow at Turneffe. Im anxious to see the toadfish. Is that like rock fish?

 

[jakubson]

I'll make a note of Elbow at Turneffe. Im anxious to see the toadfish. Is that like rock fish?

Toadfish is a flatfish that hides under coral. It emits a grunt that makes you think that a diver near you is retching. If you are close, you can actually feel the vibration BUT THEY ARE VERY DIFFICULT TO SPOT. A picture is attached. You can see more pictures in my gallery.
http://www.scubaboard.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=994

The Blue Hole is a religious argument. Gaz does a good job describing the argument in the following thread:

http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=76388

What I think is the following. Some people love it - some think it is a waste of money and time. But you'll never know until you dive it, so I think it is worth doing sometime in your life. I dove it in November 2004. Will I dive it when I return in November 2005? Probably, since the boat (Aggressor) will be parked there. But maybe I'll just sleep in that day. But at least I'll know what I'm missing.

 

[pilot fish]

After looking at your great pictures I think I should throw my camera away. Great shots! I'll have to keep an eye out for the elusive toadfish.

I guess I'll just have to see how I feel on that Bule Hole dive day. How do you and Hank rate the diving there, compared to Coz and Bonaire?

I very much appreciate your's and Hank's advice. Thanks for taking the time to give me some tips

Toadfish is a flatfish that hides under coral. It emits a grunt that makes you think that a diver near you is retching. If you are close, you can actually feel the vibration BUT THEY ARE VERY DIFFICULT TO SPOT. A picture is attached. You can see more pictures in my gallery.
http://www.scubaboard.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=994

The Blue Hole is a religious argument. Gaz does a good job describing the argument in the following thread:

http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=76388

What I think is the following. Some people love it - some think it is a waste of money and time. But you'll never know until you dive it, so I think it is worth doing sometime in your life. I dove it in November 2004. Will I dive it when I return in November 2005? Probably, since the boat (Aggressor) will be parked there. But maybe I'll just sleep in that day. But at least I'll know what I'm missing.

 

[Hank49]

I'll be at Ramon's Village on Ambergris Caye, is that San Pedro? Lot of pelagic at Turneffe?

Ramon's is in San Pedro near the airport. It's about a 21/2 hour ride out to Lighthouse reef. Not a bad trip on a calm day but can be pretty long when it's rough, especially coming back after three dives. Drink a lot of beer. It will ease the cold and wetness a bit . Staying there at Lighthouse for three days or so like jakubson did would be the way to go. All the day trips going there from San Pedro do the Blue Hole. Maybe you could request only reef dives, I don't know.
We saw some eagle rays and a big school of trevallis swirling around in clear blue, blue water at the Elbow. Lots of stuff there. I'd bet that with an outgoing or incoming tide it would be really active with bigger stuff. Hank