Belize Diving Services – Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do you have a package for cruise ship passengers?
A: We are so sorry, but we don’t have the capacity to meet cruise ship tenders. It would be best to get a recommendation from your cruise liner. On your next trip to Belize, consider staying on Caye Caulker and diving with us!
Q: What’s the best way to start planning my dive trip to Caye Caulker?
A: First, check our typical Weekly Dive Plan on the website under “Reservations” or as e-mailed to you. The Weekly Dive Plan explains when we offer various dive tours, both short and long trips. Please note each day is subject to change due to weather and availability. This is for your safety. When you are pretty firm on your arrival and departures days and how much diving you want to do, email or call us so we can confirm your reservation. If you have questions along the way, please email us.
Q: If I am enrolled in a class, where do the class dives take place?
A: The confined water classes take place on an underwater platform at the end of our dock. Open water students usually join the two-tank barrier reef dive trip scheduled for that day, with their own instructor. If the weather is rough or the boat is full with certified divers, we send out another boat just for students.
Q: We want to learn to dive so are ready to sign up for the Discover Scuba course. But we’re not sure about signing up for the full certification course. What if we don’t like diving and aren’t comfortable?
A: We don’t offer refunds on Discover Scuba diving. Almost everybody can get through that! We encourage you to reserve a spot in the Open Water Course so you will be assured of availability. If you only complete part of your open water course, we give a partial refund depending on what you have completed. Course material costs are nonrefundable.
Q: I’m a beginning diver but my travel buddy already has her open water certification. Can we dive together?
A: Our longer dive tours are typically to 60 to 80 ft. After your Discover Scuba course, you can dive to 40 ft. Afternoon trips are at 40 ft so you and your partner can enjoy dividing together on these trips.
Q: I have my certification and my travel buddy is ready to learn how to dive. Can I join her in classes?
A: Well, in a word, no. As a store policy we do not allow certified divers to join in on classes. Frankly, most students just learn better when their significant other isn’t around, especially when the skill levels are different. We have great instructors and based on our combined 40+ years of teaching and 4000+ certifications, the diving experience will be better if you allow your partner to begin her dive journey with fellow students. You will likely be spending time together on the surface intervals and have two unique experiences to talk about and share at the end of the day!
Q: I want to sign up for the Great Blue Hole. How do I do that?
A: Everyone wants to sign up for the Great Blue Hole! But we hope you will consider this first. Belize Diving Services strictly adheres to Recreational Scuba Training Council (RSTC) best practices regarding depth. That means, we run trips to the Blue Hole for experienced divers (25 or more dives with at least 5 dives at 100 ft) only. For less experienced divers, we recommend dive tours to Lighthouse Reef (near the Blue Hole) at more moderate depths (60 to 80 ft) which many divers prefer as that allows more diving time.
Q: What is the water temp and recommended exposure suits?
A: Water temp ranges are as follows: Nov-Mar 77-80F, Jul-Sep 86F, Rest of the year 80F Please note that we only rent shorties so, if you get cold easily, you might want to bring your own suit. Most divers are comfortable in a 3mm suit.
Q: Our travel dates are set! How can I confirm dive tours with you?
A: It’s easy. To confirm your dive trip, just complete and submit the information on our reservations page and provide a 25% deposit (of the total reserved dives and classes) by credit card (please phone us with the number) or PayPal. We will email you a code for your online course, if you are planning to take one, and a confirmation.
Q: How do we find you on the island?
A: Also easy. Start at the Water Taxi dock. Walk down front street toward The Split. When you get to the lime green bungalow of Easy Boy Tours, hang a left on Chapoose St and keeping going past the soccer field. We are just past it! Here’s a map.
