Going to Belize!

[cozziegirl]

Going to Belize in August for the first time! Who's been? What's it like?
I've looked at a couple of things on line but I like to hear about places directly from other divers. We plan on diving the Blue hole and the reef and seeing some attractions on land.
Would love to hear some stories!
Melissa

 

[tajkd]

Belize is OK. I was on a live-aboard and dove a few of the sites. I did about 25 dives in one week and covered the area between turneffe and lighthouse reef. I liked Lighthouse reef best for variety of coral and walls. The blue hole was guided so very tame but still interesting. The reefs have some life, coral in pretty good shape. I liked the wall dives, particularly shark point. Saw a single huge manta, a bunch of other large life; turtles and a lot of eagle rays. I even had dolphins in the water with me - pretty cool. Hunted with the tarpon on night dive. The only land I saw was Halfmoon Caye with the red-footed boobies and Belize city. Lots of shopping in Belize city but pretty poor area. PM for logbook link if you want to see comments.

 

[peterbj7]

Where will you be going? Different areas are quite different in what they offer.

 

[bikefox]

I stayed on Caye Caulker last year and really enjoyed it. The diving at Hol Chan was good and close. The atolls were excellent, but long boat rides. I was there solo and there is not much to do on Caulker so I liked the trips to the outer atolls. We did three dives each day with a nice lunch inbetween.

 

[army_roofus]

Belize was beautiful in November 2007. I had been there before in 2001 but the reef was not that alive. It was like night and day this time. We stayed on Ambergris Caye and dove with Amigos Del Mar(amazing dive operation).

The life was unbelievable this time. So grown up and full of big sea creatures.

Spring is windy. Almost no diving outside the reef in the Spring. Summer through Winter is a good time to go.

We dove the Blue Hole and the water was crystal clear. When you go, you will not only dive the hole but some of the walls around as well. Great diving as well. Worth the long boat ride out.

Belize is really a great place to relax as well. Have fun!!!!

 

[dashark]

The diving on the outer Cayes is much better than anything near amberguis. particularly Turneffe. We thought the rest of the diving was just okay.
As far as inland stuff. That was the highlight of our trip. We stayed at Chaa creek (amazing) with an overnight trip to Tikal. Tikal was the best part of our trip. If you want to see wildlife and ruins in their natural state, this is the place.
The cave excursions are pretty neat too.
If I were to go again, I would split my trip between Turneffe island lodge for diving and Chaa Creek for inland/rainforest excursions.

 

[Hank49]

Belize was beautiful in November 2007. I had been there before in 2001 but the reef was not that alive. Belize is really a great place to relax as well. Have fun!!!!

In 2001 Belize's reefs had just recovered from Hurricane Mitch (Oct 98), the Great El Nino of 98 and then Hurricane Keith in 2000, but there wasn't so much wave damage from Keith...more rubbish from the mainland. It has gotten better for sure.

 

[cozziegirl]

not sure where we are going to stay yet but we were thinking of Ambergris Caye!
Thanks for filling me in everybody!

 

[army_roofus]

That is right, Hank. I forgot about that. I thought Mitch was mostly a Roatan thing, but looking back, it did a lot of damage everywhere.

Cozziegirl, great places to eat on the island. It was always good but it is even better now. If you go there, find Warenguma on middle street. Home of the giant Lobster Burrito.

 

[peterbj7]

You'll have lots of choices of accommodation. A good reference is Belize Lodging Guide, Resorts, Hotels, Accommodations, Reservations, Rooms in Belize. Or you can ask me and I'll give you unbiased information/advice.