Huracan Bound in 2 Weeks!

[Pembina]

Will anyone else from the board be there?
This is our first time to Belize and the GBH and I have read all of STOO's trip reports. Can anyone (including STOO) add anything else? Any tips on what to do, what to take. I know it is a very small remote island so what does everyone do between dives?
Also, we are staying at the Princess Ramada the night before, any suggestions what to do in Belize before boarding the boat to the island at 3pm.

 

[Downing]

The Princess would not be my first choice for a place to stay in BZ City but if it's only for one night then hopefully you'll survive, lol. That place gives me the heebie jeebies. It's got a casino on site and is full of mirrors and other cheap glitzy stuff. And there's a weird, kind of musty smell to it.

If it's not too late, you might want to check on either the Ft George Radisson or, my preference, The Great House right across the street. Both are a five minute cab ride to the Princess Marina.

No matter where you stay, don't go out at night. BZ City is a rough town, to put it mildly.

As far as daylight goes, you have lots of choices. You can walk around on the main streets in relative safety. A good walking tour would be to walk south along the seawall to the Baron Bliss Monument and on into the city. Check out the Swinging Bridge. There's a dive shop right before you get there. Cross the Swinging Bridge and continue south on the main drag until you get to St Johns Cathedral, about four or five blocks down. If it's open, check it out. Then go across the street to the Governor's Mansion and follow that street back into town. Other places to see along the way would be the Supreme Court Building, the Belize Museum and the old American Consulate.

Don't venture down any of the side streets, at least not very far. Don't wear expensive jewelry. Be aware of your surroundings. You may get pestered by beggars. Just ignore them and they'll go away. And you may get offers to sell you marijuana. It's illegal there so partake at your own risk. Hattieville Prison is not a place you want to spend your vacation.

Or you could arrange to go cave tubing and/or zip lining (same place). You'll need a guide with a car, which is easy to line up and your hotel will do that for you.

Or you could check out the Mayan ruins at Altun Ha. Takes about an hour to walk around. Again, you'll need a car and a guide.

Both of those are close enough that you would have plenty of time to do them and be back in time for the boat. Plus, you'd get to see a little more of Belize, although not the prettiest parts.

Have a great trip!

 

[Candiru]

Pembina, my group is headed there on April 1st. Please post a trip resort and add any tips that you come up with. We're planning on stopping at the duty free for spirits since the price at the resort is a bit steep.

 

[Pembina]

Pembina, my group is headed there on April 1st. Please post a trip resort and add any tips that you come up with. We're planning on stopping at the duty free for spirits since the price at the resort is a bit steep.

Just wanted to share something I saw on Huracan's website

Do we need to bring food or drinks?
Our package prices include all food, including snacks on the dive boat, tea, coffee, water and juice at Huracan Diving Lodge at all times. We also provide fruit and home baked goodies, which are always available. Huracan Diving Lodge bar is stocked with a wide selection of alcoholic drinks, and we ask that you please not consume your own alcohol whilst at our bar and lodge.

 

[Candiru]

I took that to mean you can't drink your own stuff inside. We were planing on drinking outside. In hammocks preferably.

 

[Stoo]

Hi Pembina...

I suspect that this might be reaching you too late, but I will post anyway! (Shoulda PM'd me!)

A few things I suggest taking:

A head lamp for croc walks at night.
A boat towel... one of those wicking things is ideal. Laundry is tricky there
Possibly a small power-bar with surge protector if if you have delicate items to charge. I am always concerned with surges as generators kick in and inverters are engaged etc.
Snacks if you like something at night... there's no "Mini-Mart" there so other than the odd bowl of popcorn that materializes, you're on your own.

As for what to do between dives... well, between morning dives, there's very little time. Grab a drink, a snack, catch some rays on the dock.

After the morning dives, it's lunch time... a wee nap in a hammock maybe, but you're heading back out in short order.

After the afternoon dive... well, I often snorkel near the docks, or sometimes grab a tank and shoot some stuff close in... The best shot of an Eagle Ray was in front of the dock in 7' of water.

Otherwise, rays, a couple of cold Belikins, log books, read (Bring a book and leave it behind when you're done). There's some neat trails around the are to wander. Take out a kayak... Then it's dinner.. which tends to last a while with socializing.... Maybe a croc walk in the lagoon to spot some crocs. I dunno, the time just flies!

I am starting to pack up a bit today... we head off for out 6th trip there... Can hardly wait.

 

[Candiru]

How far of a swim would it be to the inner reef wall from the north shore?

 

[Stoo]

How far of a swim would it be to the inner reef wall from the north shore?

Oh, it's a pretty good hike. I think the closest significant reef would be a hard left from the end of the dock, pretty much where the channel for the boat is. It's a solid 150 yards I would think. It's am amusing little dive right in front of the dock... max depth is 10' or 12' I would say...

There's tons of juvenile fish under there, anemones, small octopus... oh ya, and this fella...

 

[Candiru]

Cool pic, I wonder what he was doing that far in? As for 150 yards to the cut, that sounds doable. Two of our days seem a little light with only two dives. We're planning on shore diving.

 

[Stoo]

Ya they usually do an afternoon off prior to the Blue Hole to clean up some. Sometimes, they need to head in mid-week for new guests.

The ray was one of three youngsters feeding in the eel grass... I happened to look up just as he decided to take off... They are a pretty common sight in the evening in the grass beds around the dock.

I named him "Stumpy" in honor of his missing tail...