Scuba Diving and Snorkeling
Hol Chan Marine Reserve at the southern tip of Ambergris Caye is a popular destination for snorkel and dive trips from Caye Caulker. At Hol Chan you can swim with nurse sharks and stingrays and see hundreds of tropical fish, some quite large due to the no-fishing restrictions in the reserve. On the way, your boat may be followed by a pod of frolicking dolphins, and you may spot sea turtles or even a manatee. Larger boats from Caulker also go to Lighthouse Reef, including the Blue Hole, and Turneffe atolls.
The Caye Caulker Marine Reserve north and east of Caye Caulker, with its coral canyons, is a favorite of divers, especially for night dives. Caulker has its own mini version of San Pedro's Shark-Ray Alley, called Shark-Ray Village.
Charters, Lessons, and Equipment
A plethora of dive and snorkel operators offer reef tours (some of them are "cowboys"—unaffiliated and unreliable—so make sure you use a reputable company). Plan on spending about BZ$70 for a snorkel trip around the island or BZ$130–BZ$140 for a five-hour snorkel trip to Hol Chan Marine Reserve.
Local two-tank reef dives typically begin at BZ$180, and those to Hol Chan or other nearby areas cost more. If you stop at Half Moon Caye, there's an additional BZ$80 park fee. At Hol Chan, the park fee is BZ$20, and at Caye Caulker Marine Reserve, BZ$10. These park fees, which apply for divers and snorkelers, are sometimes not included in the quoted prices for dive and snorkel trips. The 12.5% Goods and Services Tax (GST) may—or may not—be included in the price you're quoted. There are sometimes fine print costs. Ask, to be sure.
Anwar Tours. Anwar Tours, run by brothers Erico and Javier Novelo, offers a variety of snorkel trips starting at BZ$80. A night snorkel trip is BZ$100. Anwar also provides manatee-watching, and a slew of mainland tours. Stops and length of trips vary depending on weather and sea conditions. You can use their underwater camera and record your sights. Av. Hicaco, at Pasero St., Caye Caulker, Belize District. 226/0327; www.anwartours.com.
Belize Diving Services. Established in 1978, the reputable Belize Diving Services trains around 500 divers every year, with a full open-water course for around BZ$1,000. BDS excels at organization, and they have a complete diving schedule. A two-tank local reef dive is BZ$190, not including gear, tax, and BZ$10 reserve fee. A two-tank Turneffe North (not Elbow) trip is BZ$280 plus all the fixings. You may pay a slight premium for the service, but their reputation is well-deserved. Chapoose St., Caye Caulker, Belize District. 226/0143; www.belizedivingservices.com.
Frenchie's Diving Services. Frenchie's, a respected local operator, leaves early to try to be the first boat to the Blue Hole. The three-dive, full-day trip, including gear, breakfast, lunch, BZ$80 park fee, and tax is BZ$520 per person for divers, and BZ$290 for snorkelers. Four-day open-water certifications courses run BZ$800. They also offer an overnight at Half Moon Caye, plus a menu of other fantastic sites with professional divemasters. If visiting in high season, book ahead because Frenchie's is popular. Beachfront, Av. Hicaco, Caye Caulker, Belize District. 226/0234; www.frenchiesdivingbelize.com.
Raggamuffin Tours. Take a great three-stop, full-day snorkeling trip off a sailboat to Hol Chan for around BZ$140 including park entrance fee, gear and tax, lunch, and rum and ceviche on the way home. Av. Hicaco, Caye Caulker, Belize District. 226/0348; www.raggamuffintours.com.
