Liveaboard Or Day Trip: Which Is Best For Belize Diving?

Belize is a popular destination for scuba divers, offering the second-largest barrier reef in the world and a wide variety of marine life. The country's warm waters and calm conditions make it suitable for divers of all skill levels.

There are two main options for scuba diving in Belize: liveaboard diving and day trips. Liveaboard diving offers divers the opportunity to explore a wider range of dive sites, including the famous Blue Hole, a giant submarine sinkhole. Liveaboards also provide comfortable accommodation and include the cost of food and some drinks. Day trips, on the other hand, are more affordable and offer a greater variety of activities for non-divers.

Both options have their advantages, but liveaboard diving may be preferable for those who want to focus primarily on diving and explore a wider range of sites.

Liveaboards vs day trips

Belize is a diver's paradise, with the largest barrier reef in the Northern Hemisphere and the second-largest reef system in the world. It is a popular destination for liveaboards as their reefs cover a large area that is more easily accessed compared to those staying on land. Divers who choose a liveaboard can also potentially see more marine life than those staying at a land-based resort.

Liveaboards

Liveaboards in Belize offer divers the chance to explore the Belize Barrier Reef, with its shallow coral gardens and plunging walls in warm turquoise waters. The length of most Belize liveaboard dive trips is 8 days/7 nights, with an average of 27 dives on 7-night charters and 42 on 10-night charters. The best months to dive Belize are from March to June, with April to June being whale shark season in Placencia. The water temperature is at its warmest during the 'wet season' from August to October, ranging from 26-29C.

Liveaboards offer divers the benefit of visiting a wider area at their leisure, without hordes of other dive operators visiting the same sites. The cost of a liveaboard trip in Belize is approximately 229 euros per day, not including gear rental, alcoholic drinks, and other additional fees.

Day Trips

Day trips through hotel/dive packages are also an option for divers in Belize. This may be a more affordable option, but it requires more travel time to and from the dive sites, and there may be more conservative itineraries. Day trips also allow for a more rounded experience, with the opportunity to enjoy other activities that Belize has to offer, such as rainforest walks, cave exploring, visiting Mayan temples, bird watching, and snorkelling.

In conclusion, the choice between a liveaboard and a day trip depends on the diver's preferences and budget. If diving is the main focus of the trip, a liveaboard is the best option, offering convenience, flexibility, and the chance to explore a wider area. However, if divers are looking for a more well-rounded vacation with a variety of activities, a day trip package may be more suitable.

Belize's best dive spots

Belize is home to the second-largest barrier reef in the world, making it a popular scuba diving destination. Here are some of the best dive spots in Belize:

The Great Blue Hole

The Great Blue Hole is a giant marine sinkhole located near Lighthouse Reef, about 70km from the mainland. It is one of the best-known dive sites in the world, made famous by Jacques Cousteau in the 1970s. The sinkhole is circular, with steep walls and a dramatic contrast of dark blue deep waters and turquoise shallow reefs. Divers can expect to see blacktip reef sharks and some stalactites, but not much else in terms of marine life. The main attraction of this dive is the unique topography and the chance to descend to a depth of 135m.

Half Moon Caye

Half Moon Caye is a small tropical island with white sandy beaches and warm, shallow waters. It is a bird sanctuary and home to many bird species, including the red-footed booby. The surrounding marine environment features vibrant coral and a varied marine life. The Half Moon Caye Wall is a popular dive site, known for its huge drop-off and abundance of sharks.

Ambergris Caye

Ambergris Caye is a diving hotspot close to San Pedro, offering a variety of marine life and good nightlife. One of the top dive sites here is Shark Ray Alley, where divers can swim with different species of sharks and rays.

Turneffe Atoll

Turneffe Atoll is a large offshore atoll with a wide variety of dive sites. It is home to white-spotted toadfish, eagle rays, tarpon, green morays, groupers, nurse sharks, jacks, snappers, and reef sharks. The Elbow and Lighthouse Reef are two of the best dive sites within the atoll.

Hol Chan Marine Reserve

Hol Chan Marine Reserve is Belize's first and oldest marine reserve, established in 1987. It is home to a thriving marine ecosystem, including elkhorn coral, brain coral, schools of bar jacks, reef fish, grouper, snapper, and barracuda. Shark Ray Alley, located within the reserve, is a popular spot for swimming with nurse sharks and stingrays.

Placencia

Placencia, located in southern Belize, offers fewer crowds and great topside wildlife areas. It is also close to Mayan ruins and the Gladden Spit, a spawning site for whale sharks during certain times of the year.

Belize travel information

Belize is a great destination for a scuba diving vacation. The country is located in the Caribbean Sea, south of the Yucatan Peninsula, and neighbours Mexico and Guatemala. It is the only English-speaking country in Central America, which makes it easier for English speakers to communicate during their travels. Belize is also one of the smallest countries in Central America, but it boasts one of the largest barrier reefs in the world. The Belize Barrier Reef is the second-largest of its kind globally and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Belize is known for its Caribbean sea life, including nurse sharks, eagle rays, toadfish, barracudas, groupers, slipper lobsters, and toadfish. It is also one of the few places in the world where you can scuba dive with whale sharks. The best time to spot whale sharks is during the full moons of April and May at Gladden Spit off the coast of Placencia.

Belize is a popular liveaboard destination, as its reefs cover a large area that is more easily accessed from a liveaboard than from land-based resorts. Liveaboards in Belize typically depart from the local airport in Ambergris Caye (airport code: SPR), although some trips may depart from other locations. The peak season for diving is from April to June, with the rainy season running from June to November. However, the rainy season does not usually impact the visibility of the dive sites.

If you are travelling to Belize specifically for scuba diving, a liveaboard is the best option to make the most of your trip. Liveaboards allow you to access a wider range of dive sites and potentially see more marine life. They also offer the convenience of having your accommodation and diving base in one place, with the opportunity to do up to five dives per day. However, if you are looking for a more well-rounded vacation experience with nightlife and other activities, a land-based resort may be a better choice.

To get to Belize, there are direct flights from major US cities such as Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, and Charlotte. Once you arrive in Belize City, you can take a small propeller plane or a water taxi to reach Ambergris Caye. The flight takes around 15 minutes and offers a unique view of the reef, while the water taxi ride can take anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours.

Belize has a range of topside activities to offer beyond scuba diving. Here are some suggestions:

• Visit ancient Mayan ruins, such as Lamanai, Xunantunich, Altun Ha, and Cahal Pech.
• Explore caves, such as the Caves Branch System, either by foot or inner tube.
• Take a scenic drive through the countryside and enjoy the beautiful rainforest.
• Explore Ambergris Caye, which offers lively nightlife, shops, and restaurants.
• Go wildlife and birdwatching to spot howler monkeys, sloths, lizards, armadillos, and the elusive jaguar and tapir.

Things to do in Belize

Belize is a small country, but it has a lot to offer. Here are some of the best things to do when visiting:

Explore Ancient Ruins

Belize is home to several ancient Mayan ruins, including the Lamanai Archaeological Reserve, Xunantunich, Caracol, and Cahal Pech. These sites offer a glimpse into the rich history and culture of the Mayan people and are great places to learn about ancient traditions and explore impressive structures.

Visit the Belize Zoo

The Belize Zoo is a unique institution that cares for over 150 native wildlife species and promotes conservation, education, and research. It is also accessible to visitors with physical disabilities, making it an inclusive destination.

Experience the Great Blue Hole

The Great Blue Hole is a massive submarine sinkhole off the coast of Belize. It is a popular scuba diving destination, offering divers the chance to explore its depths and discover the unique flora and fauna that inhabit it, including nurse sharks, Caribbean reef sharks, and bull sharks.

Discover the Hol Chan Marine Reserve

The Hol Chan Marine Reserve is Belize's oldest reserve, known for its diverse marine life. It is a great place to go snorkelling or diving, with crystal-clear waters and the opportunity to see stingrays, eels, nurse sharks, and other creatures up close.

Adventure in Actun Tunichil Muknal

Actun Tunichil Muknal, or ATM Cave, is an extraordinary ancient Mayan cave system. Visitors can explore chambers filled with human skeletons, ancient pottery, and artefacts, offering a glimpse into the past. The journey to the cave involves a trek through the forest and crossing a river, making it a challenging but rewarding experience.

Relax in Placencia

Placencia is a booming beach town on a 16-mile-long peninsula, offering tranquil beaches, rustling palm trees, and calm Caribbean waters perfect for snorkelling and diving. It is known for its golden sands and natural reserves, making it an ideal place to unwind and enjoy nature.

Explore San Ignacio

San Ignacio is a charming town in the Cayo District, often referred to as the heart of the region. It is a hub for adventures and activities, with nearby historic landmarks, a bustling Saturday market, and a vibrant cultural scene. It's a great place to interact with locals and learn about traditional culinary dishes.

Practical information

Belize is a relatively easy destination to access from the US. There are direct flights to Belize City (airport code: BZE) from major US cities, including Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, and Charlotte. If you're travelling from outside the US, you'll likely need to make a stop in one of these cities.

Once you've arrived in Belize City, you can get to Ambergris Caye by either a 15-minute plane ride or a water taxi, which takes between 45 minutes and 2 hours.

The local airport in Ambergris Caye is San Pedro (airport code: SPR), and this is where most liveaboards depart from. However, some liveaboard trips may depart from different locations.

The currency in Belize is the Belize Dollar (BZD), and it is pegged to the US Dollar at a rate of 2:1. The official language is English, and the electricity runs at 110 V 60 Hz.

There are no compulsory vaccinations for travel to Belize, but it is recommended to have standard protection against tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, polio, influenza, typhoid, and hepatitis A. There is an endemic risk of Malaria and Dengue Fever, especially during the rainy season, so seek medical advice before travelling.

The best time to visit Belize for diving is from April to June, which is the dry season. This offers the best visibility, although diving in Belize is good throughout the year. The rainy season is from June to October, but rain seldom falls for consecutive days, and it doesn't impact the visibility of the dive sites. The water temperature is usually around 28-29C, and a 3mm wetsuit is recommended.

Belize liveaboards usually offer 7-night or 10-night charters, with diving beginning on Sunday morning and ending on Friday around noon. The number of dives varies depending on the length of the charter, but you can expect an average of 27 dives on a 7-night charter and 42 on a 10-night charter. All dives are done from the yacht, and most liveaboards allow their divers to explore the magnificent atolls of Lighthouse Reef and Turneffe Atoll.

Liveaboards in Belize can be booked online, and it is recommended to book in advance as there are only a limited number of liveaboards available. The cost of a liveaboard trip is typically around 229 euros per day, not including gear rental, which can cost up to 175 USD per person for a 7-day trip. There may also be additional costs for Nitrox, alcoholic drinks, and special gear. A USD 95 port fee is also added to the liveaboard packages, which includes a cruising tax and park fee.

Frequently asked questions