Belize Dive shop advise

[Seahag61]

What recommendations would anyone make with regards to using Amigo Del Mar diving or Aqua Dives in Belize? What type boats are used etc. and how was your trip to the "Blue Hole" with either dive shop?

Thanks

 

[codeine]

I dove Belize a few years ago. I quickly found out that most of the dive shops actually charter their dive operations to whichever boats are available, so all the dive shops are essentially the same price and completely varying quality. There are several really crappy locations right off of San Pedro. The best option was a 3-day cruise out to the blue hole. We picked a boat that we went on one of the crappier dives with, but they were good, smart, and fast. The diving off the island is much better and well worth it. The blue hole is a cool deep dive (saw 12 ft sharks), but be sure you know what you're doing. The divemasters in belize tend to be a laissez-faire type. Do take care to leave the reefs as you found them, please. Belize is being demolished by careless dive operations and ignorant divers.

 

[JenLoves2Dive]

What recommendations would anyone make with regards to using Amigo Del Mar diving or Aqua Dives in Belize? What type boats are used etc. and how was your trip to the "Blue Hole" with either dive shop?

Thanks

undefinedI stayed at the Aqua Marina Hotel which is by far one of the nicest places in Ambergris.Nice suites w/living room and separate BR and wrap around blaconies. The owner of the hotel owns Aqua Dives. I dove with them every day. Used them to go to the Blue Hole. You would probably be more comfortable using Amigo Del Mar as they have a bigger dive boat and is, overall a larger dive operation. Amigo Del Mar is right next door to the Aqua Marina Hotel. Aqua Dives is next to the Sunbreeze Hotel (which incidentally has some of the best food on the island).
Ambergris Caye has a great message board..it's great for info...as long as you can avoid their occasional flame wars!
Ambergris Caye Message Board
Hope that helps!
Jennifer

 

[fastfishh]

What recommendations would anyone make with regards to using Amigo Del Mar diving or Aqua Dives in Belize? What type boats are used etc. and how was your trip to the "Blue Hole" with either dive shop?

Thanks

the boats going to the blue hole are all basically the same......30ft boats with two outboard motors. some have a small cabin but they all have 15-20 divers on board.....the trip takes approximately two hours.....sit in the stern if you can, thats where is least bumpy....they usually stop somewhere for lunch after the blue hole, then do another dive......i liked it and would do it again

 

[WarmWaterDiver]

Stayed 10 days in a beach house (Casa Caracol) on Ambergris Caye over Memorial Day 2003. Amigos Del Mar has 42 (46?) foot boat for blue hole trip - take it and you won't regret it. Marine head, plenty of room, lots of snacks, etc. We did local (Ambergris Caye) diving with Protech Belize, and they were supposedly refitting a boat they had purchased that was formerly a private yacht for blue hole trips, overnight or weekend liveaboard stuff, but never saw it while we were there. Our equipment is all O2 clean & compatible - Protech belize had Grade J air & Nitrox - the only hassle we has was in getting nitrox tanks transferred from Protech Belize to Amigos Del Mar for the Blue Hole Trip, but we sorted everything out before the trip left. We used 28% O2 for the blue hole dive at recommendation from Protech Belize (perfect - 1.45 ATA O2 at 137 feet), and 32% O2 nitrox for the other 2 dives that day.