The graceful beauty of stingrays, multi-colored tropical fish, swaying sea grass and coral, dawdling giant sea turtles, and yes, even the sand-papery skin of nurse sharks are part of the Belize diving. Whether you do it once a day, once a year, or once in a lifetime… just do it!
No Experience Necessary
Belize dive instructor? Hardly! I’m a novice – what is commonly known as a “resort diver.” No certification here, but after taking a short 45-minute course I’m good to go. For me, this is the best-case scenario. My PADI divemaster takes care of all the technical/safety aspects so I’m carefree to explore ocean life at depths of 20 to 40 feet – which incidentally is where most of the tropic fish hang out. I love diving in Belize and you will, too!
A couple of tips I’d like to mention before we “dive in” — two pieces of gear that are a must for me:
- Snorkel mask. If your mask is being provided by your tour, make sure to test it first. You need to have a good fit for your shape face so water doesn’t get in. I have my own optical corrective mask because I need reading glasses and I get panicky if I can’t see my gauges. If you also love to snorkel, then investing in a personal mask is a good idea. As an added bonus, you can choose the style and color. I have two. One is pink, which is my signature color, and also a nice contrast for photography against the undersea blues. The other is highlighter yellow, which matches the side stripes on my wetsuit.
- Wetsuit. I always wear a wetsuit, no matter what the water temperature. Even if the water is 80 degrees, that might seem warm, but remember your body temperature is 98 degrees. I get cold after a while. Plus — everyone assumes it so it needs to be said — people pee in borrowed wetsuits. I know they wash them, but….. Enough said!
Belize Diving is Superb
Belize’s 185-mile meandering, untainted barrier reef is the longest in the Western Hemisphere and the second largest in the world. It’s ranked as one of the top three diving sites in the Caribbean, but because Belize has been slower to develop than other Caribbean “hot spots,” their piece of the underworld is not crowded. It’s the perfect place to experience your first dive. My guide and my companion diver were the only other humans encountered during the entire dive. I can tell you, that’s not the case in other Caribbean dive sites such as St. Thomas or the Cayman Islands where you’re part of a large group with other competing dive groups nearby.
In the 82-degree Fahrenheit crystal blue waters of the Hol Chan Cut, just a short boat jaunt from the palm-lined beaches of Ambergris Caye, you can see up to 100 feet in all directions, which you won’t get in sites like Puerto Rico where depending on the current, the visibility can be less than 20 feet. Eyes wide open, nothing can prepare you for the stillness and peace of the Belize underworld. Ethereal in its tranquility, the ocean forces you to slow down the frenetic pace of life and take in the mesmerizing panorama of flora and fauna in every size, shape, and color: marine life, shellfish, coral, sea sponges, and fans flourish in the protected waters. The contrast in texture is as attention-grabbing as the colors.
Other Things to Do in Belize
Emerging from the water, Ambergris Caye’s land-lubber charisma rivals the drama of the sea. Packed dirt roads navigated by golf carts, slow-paced and friendly, the postcard-perfect town of San Pedro entices with its small, colorfully painted houses and shops. Shorts and flip-flops are the fashion du jour and an extra tall palm tree is the only high-rise you’ll see. It’s the idyllic Caribbean of 40 years ago – laid-back, yet things to do if that’s what you’re looking for. English-speaking restaurateurs, bartenders, and shop owners love to be engaged in conversation. Don’t be at all surprised when they ask your name. . .or that they will remember it when you return!
There are so many other things to do in Belize….cave tubing, snorkeling, the jaguar reserve, and the sunsets are gorgeous. The incredible Mayan ruins of Tikal, Guatemala are an easy day trip. Here’s a guide to more fun things to do in Belize.
Fast approaching is the day my youngest is off to college, and my dream of ditching the long snowy winters of New England for a sun-drenched Caribbean island with tropical trade winds, crystal turquoise waters, sandy palm-lined beaches, friendly English-speaking locals, fresh seafood, and first-class diving will become a reality. Belize tops that list!
Hol Chan Marine Reserve, 4 mi./6.4 km. south of San Pedro, Ambergris Caye.
Belize: Best for Diving was first published by International Living Magazine, July 29, 2011.
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About the Author
Patti Morrow
is a freelance travel writer and founder of the award-winning international blog Luggage and Lipstick and the southern travel blog Gone to Carolinas. TripAdvisor called her one of the “20 Baby Boomer Travel Bloggers Having More Fun Than Millennials” and she was named one of the “Top 35 Travel Blogs” in the world.
She is also the star of the upcoming TV series “Destination Takeover” which is scheduled to premiere in the next few months.
Patti is the author of the book “Girls Go Solo: Tips for Women Traveling Alone,” and has over 150 bylines in 40 print and online publications, including The Huffington Post, International Living Magazine, Washington Post Sunday Travel, Travel Girl, Travel Play Live Magazine, and Ladies Home Journal. She has traveled extensively through six continents looking for fabulous destinations, exotic beaches, and adventure activities for her Baby Boomer tribe.
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