@SATurner - How was the diving with Sea Sports Belize in Feb 2023? I'm scheduled to dive with them this April.
@Wants2divemore, the most stressful part was getting from the ship to the port via a tender. The ship didn't understand the need to be on one of the first tenders and told me to go to the excursion tender meeting. Went there, and begged to get a number to get me there ASAP. Got there then found out there was a different part of the ship to get a tender and I could have been a bit earlier. After all of that, I made it, but was a bit stressed.
Walked to the shop, several tried to offer taxi service until I told them where I was headed. They said I was headed the right way and it wasn't far. It might be a 5-10 minute walk if that.
Shop has a small area in the front for gear sales and sign in.
If you are renting gear, they take you to a smaller room and fit you for a BCD asking how much weight you need.
I had my own AI computer, mask, and fins. Prior to the trip, I asked if they could put my transmitter on their reg. The answer was no. When at the shop, I asked again, and without hesitation, they were more than happy to pull their SPG and put on my transmitter.
The sea was a bit rough, so we didn't go out terribly far. We stopped on the inside of the reef for a brief then crossed over into rougher water to splash.
Water temps were right at 80°. I dove in a skin and was more than comfortable.
There were 2 DMs on board, one took a group to about 80' , the other stayed at 40'. Saw a lot of corals, but honestly didn't see a lot of fish. There were some lobster and one green morey out for a swim. There were some small reef fish too.
Made it back in plenty of time to get back to the ship.
I saw more fish in Cozumel and less corals so having both during the cruise was nice.
I wanted a rashie from Sea Sports, but they were out and weren't sure when more would be in. I left them my email and when more came in, we worked through paying for and having one shipped to me in the Atlanta area.
When I dove Cozumel later on the cruise, it was a similar experience other than a $10 taxi ride to/from Dive Paradise. They also said they wouldn't allow my transmitter prior to the trip then the shop did it when asked.
I suspect that has more to do with the coordinators not understanding the question. Both shops were happy to allow my transmitter.
In Cozumel the boat was smaller and entry was falling backwards off the side.
Edited to add:
Had originally tried to use Jaguar in Belize, however, they wouldn't let me book solo because of their boat minimum. They were more than happy to let me pay enough to meet the minimum and then refund me if others joined. I didn't want the hassle of chasing down a refund in a different country.
