Belize is best known for its diving. Divers
flock to Belize to see its spectacular barrier reef that runs parallel to the
country for over 190 miles. Ambergris Caye sits just inside the reef at its most
northern point, with the reef meeting the island at Rocky Point. The variety of
coral and aquatic life in the reef is amazing (inhabited with jacks, groupers,
snappers, parrot fish, angel fish, barracuda, eels, spider crabs, lobster, nurse sharks
and more).
Our team of dive masters at the Exotic Caye Dive Shop looks forward to guiding you as you explore the underwater world of Belize.
Exotic Caye Beach Resort and Dive Shop is located on the southern end of Ambergris Caye less than one half mile south of San Pedro town. Our location is central to the many dive sites located just offshore while also convenient to the Turneffe Islands, Lighthouse Caye, and the famous Blue Hole.
Listed below are some of the major dive sites along with information about the aspects of that dive.
Hol Chan Marine Reserve
This site is a national park just a 10 minute boat ride south of the resort. The maximum depth is 30 feet and there is a channel here to open water so currents can be a consideration. Because of its protected status, you are likely to see almost all species of fish native to these waters.
Shark Ray Alley
Located near Hol Chan, this exciting site affords one the opportunity to swim with a large collection of Nurse Sharks and Southern Stingrays. The rays, having wing-spans of up to four feet, swim close enough to be touched as do the nurse sharks, who are up to six feet in length.
Cypress Canyons - Victoria Tunnels
Both of these sites are within a 5 minute boat ride from the resort. Each offers great visibility, abundant fish species, and canyon formations at 60 to 90 feet.
Rocky Point - Mexico Rocks
Farther north, about 30 minutes, to a point where the reef meets the island is Rocky Point. This is an especially great place to view coral of many colors and also have a chance to see
large silver Tarpon lurking around these waters. Mexico Rocks is one of the best canyon sites with several caves in the coral to explore.
Amigos Wreck
This trip will allow you to visit the Famous Amigos Wreck. At this site the marine life is abundant, at a depth of 70 feet you may see sting rays, sharks, groupers and a variety of other fish. On your second dive we will take you to a location rarely dived due to the distance from the island. Here you will be able to see barrel sponges ranging from 4 to 6 feet tall as well as a variety of coral. After these two spectacular dives, we will travel close to the island and make a
snorkel stop at shark ray alley. Here you will actually get in the water with friendly Nurse sharks and Sting Rays.
Turneffe Islands
Turneffe Islands,
just 2 hours offshore, are the largest of the three offshore atoll reefs in Belize.
Although these islands are little more than small sandbars with mangroves and swampy lagoons,
they provide a phenomenal habitat for aquatic life and unique diving. A
favorite area known as the Elbow includes species from tube sponges to deep water gorgonians.
Lighthouse Reef
Lighthouse Reef, about 2 ½ hours, is the farthest offshore reef but it is closer to Ambergris Caye than Glovers reef to the south. It is a popular area for divers especially for its own merits but also because it is the home of the Blue Hole. The best diving on Lighthouse is located at its southern end, at either Half Moon Caye or Long Caye. Both have unique dive experiences and are well worth the trip. Additionally many of the dive trips stop at Half Moon Caye for lunch where you will be able to view the endangered Red Footed Boobie, one of only two known habitats to support this number of their species.
The Blue Hole
This is one of the claims to fame for many divers around the world, been there, done that. The blue hole is a limestone sink hole which is almost perfectly round. It is over 1000 feet across and over 400 feet deep. The walls of the dive are steep and not until you reach levels below 110 feet do you begin to see the stalactites that are the roof of this monstrous cave. It is hard to imagine that just a little over 10,000 years ago this formation was an above ground cave. What the Blue Hole lacks in coral and aquatic life it overwhelms with a true sense of awe.
Scuba Rates for Exotic Caye Dive Shop
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Local 3 tank |
$70.00 |
|
Local 2 tank |
$50.00 |
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Local 1 tank |
$30.00 |
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Local 1 tank night dive |
$40.00 |
*Price includes: Tanks, weights, belt
|
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Turneffe Island 3 tank Elbow |
$150.00 |
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Blue Hole and Half Moon Caye |
$165.00 |
*Price includes: Tanks, weights, belt, lunch
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Overnight Turneffe, Blue Hole, Half Moon Caye 5 dives |
$285.00 |
| *Price includes: Tanks, weights, belt, lunch, dinner |
Rental Equipment (Oceanic & Dacor)
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B.C.D. |
$7.00 |
|
Regulator |
$7.00 |
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Mask snorkel & fins |
$6.00 |
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Wet suits |
$5.00 |
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