Certified & Discover Dives Belize or Roatan?

[reddi]

Advice please. My wife and I are certified. 3 boys (21, 18, 13) are not. We are thinking my wife & I could go for a dive while the kids do the discover scuba training, then come back and make the 2d shallow dive with the kids. We could do this in either Belize or Roatan. We have a 9 hour stop in Belize, only 7 hours in Roatan. We've never been to either place.

 

I'd appreciate opinions from those who have been there on which place would be best for this. Dive operator recommendations would also be appreciated. Thanks! :)

[sportsterjohn]

I would do the diving in Roatan. In Belize, the dive sites are a long way from the pier. Also, there are alot more land based activities in Belize. In Roatan, there are alot of dive shops and shallow dive sites that are not quick and easy to do. Check out subway watersports, they may be able to help your family out.

[frediver]

IMO. I have tried diving from/with cruise ship tours twice, never again.

I really hate being treated as another $$$ sign. On my last dive I was tail end charlie because the dive guides left the weaker or more easily distracted divers behind, I was the only one watching them and chasing them back o the group. Having lead dive tours myself I know how a group should be directed. Never again.

My best diving was on Roatan and privately arranged through Subway water sports, Subway has a web site.

[reddi]

Thanks for the input! I checked out Subway's website and I will contact them to see if they can fix us up. :)

[booth22]

Try CoCoView resort in roatan- they'll send a cab for you and they have some great house wall diving. Also, the kids can snorkel on the house reef while you do the first dive. (which is right in front of the main clubhouse.)

 

We used them on our last cruise, and plan to go back for a week soon (or more)

 

There are two great walls at the resort, and a few wrecks in their backyard as well. Check them out, you won't be disapointed.

[reddi]

Thanks Booth22 - I'll check them out too. Not going til the end of May so there is still time,

[cruise499]

Suggest http://www.suenodelmar.com in Roatan also..they will pick u up at pier. They also offer snorkeling/excursions tailored to cruise ships. Dove with them in 2005, great opn..Ray Lopez the owner takes care of you. Belize, offers great diving too, but your ship will anchor and you have to tender--there our some great dive ops there where the dive sites are 3-5 min from the dock..let me know if you would like a recommendation in Belize.

[szdiver]

One more way to "dive" together would be snuba. Everyone is connected to a tank at the top of the water and swim around underwater together. It is a fun way to play together and still dive. Only about 20-30 feet. I actually enjoyed it in January. I might try it again in May. Join me.....

[w&k]

Linda and John should be able to fix you right up - they are great folks, and the dive shop is just a short stroll from the port.

 

We did the atoll trip with the shorex our first time in Belize, and it was fine. Second time there, we found SeaSports and did the inside reefs, which were even prettier, with lots more critters.

 

The main website is http://www.seasportsbelize.com. The direct reference to their cruise ship diving page is http://www.seasportsbelize.com/cruiseshipdiving.html

 

Have a great trip!

 

Wendy

 

dive pix

http://community.webshots.com/user/wendyandkeith

 

my review of SeaSports Belize

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=179208