Live-Aboard Marinas In Belize: Where To Dock And Stay

Belize is a popular destination for liveaboard diving, with its famous Blue Hole and stunning diving conditions. It is located in the heart of the Caribbean, with the second biggest barrier reef in the world. Most liveaboard diving in Belize is in the area to the East of Belize City, where Lighthouse Reef, The Blue Hole and Turneffe Atoll can be found. There are a few marinas in Belize, including Cucumber Beach Marina, The Placencia Marina, and the marina at the Radisson Fort George Hotel. However, it is important to note that some sources mention the limited choices of marinas and the potential discomfort of living aboard for an extended period.

Liveaboard diving in Belize

Belize is a small country in Central America, with one of the largest barrier reefs in the world. The Belize Barrier Reef is the largest in the Northern Hemisphere and the second-largest reef system in the world. A liveaboard dive cruise in Belize offers divers the chance to visit this amazing reef and the famous Blue Hole, a giant submarine sinkhole that offers a unique dive experience.

Belize is a democratic country that boasts a mild climate, spectacular topography, and the largest barrier reef in the Northern Hemisphere. The country is also known for its English and Spanish-speaking population. The Belize Barrier Reef, stretching over 300 km, offers pristine dive sites among hundreds of atolls and cayes. The reef features shallow coral gardens and plunging walls in warm turquoise waters, providing ideal conditions for divers of all levels.

Most liveaboard dive trips in Belize last for 8 days/7 nights, with itineraries varying according to the season. The best months to dive in Belize are generally from March to June, with April to June being whale shark season in Placencia. While there may be some rainfall during this time, the water temperature is at its warmest, ranging from 28°C to 29°C. The average air temperature in Belize is a comfortable 27°C, making it a pleasant destination for diving adventures.

There are several notable dive sites in Belize that liveaboard divers can explore:

• Turneffe Atoll Reef: The closest and largest of the three atolls, Turneffe offers great drift dives with the opportunity to spot pelagic species such as gigantic shoals of trevallies, snappers, black-tip sharks, and hammerhead sharks.
• Lighthouse Reef: Located on the easternmost part of Belize, Lighthouse Reef provides fantastic wall diving opportunities and is home to the Great Blue Hole.
• Half Moon Caye: Known for its exceptional wall diving, Half Moon Caye features a sandy stretch inhabited by garden eels, stingrays, and hogfish. The site gradually slopes towards numerous swim-throughs and tunnels, leading to a drop-off at around 25 meters.
• Glover's Reef: As the most remote and least visited atoll, Glover's Reef offers a diverse range of marine life, including goliath grouper, schools of horse-eyed jacks, Atlantic spadefish, eagle rays, and turtles. With over 80km of fringing reef and wall depths ranging from 7 meters to 900 meters, this site provides exciting diving and underwater photography opportunities.

Belize is also home to other popular dive sites, such as The Elbow, where you can spot up to 50 spotted eagle rays, and The Aquarium, Black Beauty, and The Cathedral, which boast stunning coral formations and the chance to see turtles and eagle rays. For those interested in wreck diving, the Wreck of the Sayonara is an intriguing site to explore.

When planning a liveaboard diving trip to Belize, it's important to consider additional fees, gear rental, and travel arrangements. Most liveaboards depart from Belize City, which has an international airport with flights from the USA and connections from other parts of the world.

Marina safety in Belize

Belize is a small country in Central America, with a large barrier reef that is a popular diving destination. The country has a number of marinas, but there are limited choices for live-aboards. Here are some safety considerations for marinas in Belize:

Marina Options in Belize

Belize has a few marina options, including the Belize Yacht Club Marina, Cucumber Beach Marina, The Placencia Marina, and Roberts Grove Beach Resort. There is also a new marina just north of Placencia and a small marina in the Placencia lagoon. However, there are limited options for live-aboards, and some marinas may not have enough water depth for larger boats.

Safety Considerations

When considering marina safety in Belize, it is important to take into account the following factors:

• Crime and Theft: While Placencia is considered a safe area, with 24-hour security available at Roberts Grove, Ambergris Caye has a higher incidence of crimes against tourists. Belize City is also considered more dicey, and it is recommended to have local knowledge before spending time there.
• Water Hazards: The waters around Belize can be shallow and treacherous, with limited markings. It is important to follow guides and navigation references when sailing in these waters.
• Regulatory Requirements: There may be regulatory hoops to jump through when visiting Belize. It is important to check the requirements for clearing into Belize, as there are multiple authorities involved, including immigration, customs, and the agricultural health authority.
• Natural Hazards: Belize is vigilant about protecting its natural environment. There are regulations in place to protect sensitive and easily damaged anchorages.
• Insurance: Check your boat insurance policy before travelling to Belize, as some insurance companies do not allow their customers to go to Belize.
• Solo Women Travellers: There are mixed reports about the attitude towards solo women in Belize. While some sources suggest that it may not be safe, others state that hundreds of single young female travellers visit Placencia and the rest of Belize every year without serious incidents.

Marina-Specific Information

• Cucumber Beach Marina: This marina is located just south of Belize City and has spacious timbered deck docks with 24-hour security. It caters to both commercial and recreational boaters and offers various services and facilities, including dry docking, wireless internet access, laundromat, restrooms, and showers.
• Roberts Grove Beach Resort: This marina is located in Placencia and is considered extremely well-sheltered, with on-site 24-hour security. It offers amenities such as restaurants, a bar, a gift shop, internet access, and a pool. It is a bit far from the town of Placencia.
• The Placencia Marina: This marina is located in Placencia and is a convenient and safe place to leave your boat if you want to visit the interior of Belize or the Mayan sites in Guatemala.

When planning a trip to Belize and choosing a marina, it is important to consider your specific needs and requirements for safety, amenities, and accessibility. It is always a good idea to do thorough research and get up-to-date information about the marinas and the sailing conditions in Belize.

Belize liveaboard costs

Belize is a popular destination for liveaboards, with its reefs covering a large area that is more easily accessed compared to those staying on Turneffe Island. Divers opting for a liveaboard can also potentially see more marine life than those staying at a land-based resort.

The cost of a liveaboard in Belize varies depending on the season, duration, and specific liveaboard chosen. Here is a breakdown of the costs associated with a liveaboard trip in Belize:

Liveaboard Rates

The rates for liveaboards in Belize typically range from $2,494 to $3,695 per trip. These rates are often quoted per person and may vary depending on the time of booking and exchange rates. It is recommended to book in advance due to the limited number of liveaboards available.

Additional Fees

Liveaboards in Belize may include additional fees for gear rental, which can cost up to $175 per person for a 7-day trip or $260 for a 10-day trip. Nitrox is offered at an extra cost of approximately $100 per week or $150 for a 10-day trip. Alcoholic drinks, special gear, and port fees may also incur extra charges.

Best Time to Visit

The best months for diving in Belize are typically from March to June, with April to June being the peak whale shark season in Placencia. During this time, you can expect warmer water temperatures, ranging from 28°C to 29°C. The dry season, from November to April, is considered the high tourist season, which may impact pricing.

Diving Skills and Requirements

Belize offers dive sites suitable for all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned divers. However, some sites may require a minimum number of logged dives, approximately 60, for more advanced locations. Additionally, each diver is responsible for purchasing their own dive insurance.

Travel and Accommodation

Most international flights to Belize depart from major cities worldwide, often with a transfer in Miami, Florida. The duration of the flight varies depending on the origin, with an average flight time of 11 hours from the UK and 3 to 5 hours from the USA.

Liveaboards in Belize typically offer comfortable accommodation for 8 days/7 nights. The itineraries may vary but focus on exploring the best dive sites according to the season.

Belize liveaboard routes

Belize is a popular destination for liveaboards, with its reefs covering a large area that is more easily accessed from a boat than from land. Divers who choose a liveaboard can also potentially see more marine life than those staying at a land-based resort.

Belize is best known for its Caribbean sea life, including nurse sharks, eagle rays, toadfish, barracudas, grouper, slipper lobsters, and toadfish. It is also possible to dive with whale sharks in Belize during whale shark season, which is April to June in Placencia, in the south of the country.

There are a limited number of liveaboards available in Belize, so booking in advance is highly recommended. The two most popular liveaboards are the Belize Aggressor III and Belize Aggressor IV, which depart from Belize City, 12 miles south of Phillip Goldson International Airport (PGIA) in Ladyville.

The length of most Belize liveaboard dive trips is 8 days/7 nights, with an average of 27 dives on 7-night charters. The yachts depart every Saturday at 6 pm from the Fort George Hotel dock in the heart of downtown Belize City, and diving begins on Sunday morning. The best months to dive in Belize are from March to June, with the water at its warmest temperature of 28-29°C during the 'wet season' from August to October.

Turneffe Atoll Reef

The closest and largest of the three atolls, Turneffe Atoll Reef forms a series of mangroves offering great drift dives with some larger pelagic species, including gigantic shoals of trevallies, snappers, black-tip and hammerhead sharks.

Lighthouse Reef

The most easterly of the dive sites in Belize, Lighthouse Reef offers fantastic wall diving and is home to the Great Blue Hole, a giant submarine sinkhole off the coast of Belize. The hole is over 300 metres across and 124 metres deep, with clear waters and a variety of flora and fauna, including nurse sharks, Caribbean reef sharks, and bull sharks.

Half Moon Caye

Half Moon Caye offers some of the best wall diving in the world. A sandy stretch laden with garden eels, stingrays, and hogfish, it gently slopes towards the reef's numerous swim-throughs and tunnels until you reach the drop-off at around 25 metres. To the southwest, Painted Wall's spur and groove formations, ranging from 8-40 metres, are home to species such as parrotfish, black durgeon, and queen triggerfish.

Glover's Reef

The most remote and least visited atoll, Glover's Reef offers more diversity, including goliath grouper, schools of horse-eyed jacks, Atlantic spadefish, eagle rays, and turtles. With more than 80 kilometres of fringing reef and wall depths ranging from 7 to 900 metres, this is an exciting dive with many underwater photography opportunities.

Other popular diving spots in Belize include The Elbow, Long Caye Wall, Grand Bogue, Silver Caves, and Tarpon Caves.

Best time for Belize liveaboards

Belize is a popular destination for liveaboards, with its reefs covering a large area that is more easily accessed from a liveaboard than from land. Divers who choose a liveaboard can also see more marine life than those staying at a land-based resort.

Belize can be dived all year round, but the best months to dive are generally considered to be from March to June, with April to June being whale shark season in Placencia in the south. While you may experience some rainfall during this time, the 'wet season' is usually from August to October. It is, however, during these months that the water temperature is at its warmest (28-29°C). The water temperature rarely goes below 26°C and visibility remains good (up to 40m) throughout the year away from the mainland. The average air temperature in Belize is 27°C with generally calm surface conditions.

If you're planning a trip to Placencia, then from April to June is whale shark season. High season for diving in Belize is from April to June, but be warned that this is also the most expensive time of year to dive.

If you want to avoid the crowds, it is recommended that you visit Belize in April and May. During this time there will be fewer tourists, but you will still have the opportunity to see whale sharks. April to June also offers the best visibility.

Belize is located on the Eastern Coast of Central America and is one of the smallest countries in the region. It is a democratic, English and Spanish speaking nation.

Frequently asked questions