Will be heading to the island this Friday the 6th and hope to go diving on Sunday. Was wondering what recommendations people have for dive operators. We will be staying at Portofino and I know they have their own dive shop, any input on that would be helpful. We are interested in diving around the reefs, but not the blue hole (a little to advanced for me). I have about 8 dives under my belt, so still a newbie. Would like to go with an operator that takes smaller groups, is personable and very safety oriented. Any suggestions, thoughts? Also, where would you recommend diving that is near the island?

Thanks!!

You could be wrong about the Blue Hole, its very chaperoned and lots of divers with less dives than that do it safely every year.
keep an open mind about it , its a big fun day.

The Blue Hole is a great dive. If you tell the dive master that you are nervous and would like more support they are happy to do it. You dive as a group (still buddy up) and you are led by a divemaster and there is a divemaster at the rear of the group too. Check and see how many dm's to # of divers will be on the trip. They can often basically hold your hand if there are enough dm's on the dive.

It is a 130ft dive so if you are uncomfortable with that aspect you might wish to put off this dive until you have gained more experience.

You can also go on the trip, which also includes a couple of other world class dive sites, and if you opt not to dive the blue hole you can enjoy a leisurely snorkel around it instead.

Well, that is good to know about the blue hole. Nevertheless, we are thinking about a half day dive(s) as we have A LOT going on that week (we are getting married and have some other excursions planned as well). Any thoughts are other dives or dive operators?

The dives depart for a two tank dive trip at 9am and return 12:30.
plenty of time left in the day to get married:-)

If you are a newbie, you definitely need to go to Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley. A short boat ride from San Pedro, and inside the reef. Not extremely deep, but lots of wonderful marine life, corals, nurse sharks, and different kinds of rays, up close and personal.

This is an easy, half-day, two-tank dive and all the dive shops offer it.

We used Ecologic Divers and had a small group of 6. They were very professional and safe. They took photos of us underwater during the dives.

There are several other good dive outfits there also. Amigos del Mar is another one that seems popular...maybe larger groups though.

Yeah, I have heard some great things about Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley. That is definitely a strong possibility. I have also read a little bit about Amigo's Del Mar and Ecologic Divers. Do you know anything about Chuck and Robbies?

I dive with Amigo's, have for years and think they are fantastic. That said, I have been diving with Robbie a number of times, both when he was at Amigos, elsewhere and "Chuck and Robbie's". I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending their operation.

My position on a dive to the Blue Hole is different than that expressed by others here. You say you only have 8 dives. That said, if you were going to be going exclusively on a dive vacation, I would recommend that you get in as many close-in dives as possible and take opportunities to become comfortable at deeper depths before booking a trip out to the Blue Hole.

It is a remarkable dive, a great way to spend a day and the two followup dives are fantastic. Why not wait until you are prepared to enjoy it fully, as more experienced divers?

We always dive with Patojos at the tides. I am not the best diver (to boyant)and they personally watch out for me and if need be hold my hand. Our kids 10 + 11 got certified with them.

For what you want w/o all the BS about spending more money... Chuck and Robbie's next door to Wet Willies. Period. End of Sentence.

You're right up there near Elbert at White Sands. He's a pro and will watch out for you. I'd take a great deal of comfort in that. He's too much of a gentleman to promote himself on this board.

Agreed with BJ.

It seems everyone is plumping for their favourite Dive Shop without thinking about logistics. It is highly unlikely most of the Dive Shops mentioned will come up as far as Portofino to take you Diving. The extra journey for them negates any profit on an already tight business. Your options, I can think of, are Elbert, Ecologic or my choice not mentioned yet is Belize Acadamy of Diving located at Costa Maya who meet all of your criteria and are within walking distance of your resort. http://www.belize-academy-of-diving.com/

I agree with Seashell and BJ. Since you are staying up north Elbert at White Sands Dive Resort would be an excellent choice.
Personally I like diving up north; there are some wonderful sites there.
Sunday we dove Tres Cocos (Elbert - I know that is not REALLY north) and had the most amazing sight; a HUGH school of Gray Angel Fish swam right into my video camera and went around me. Angels usually travel in pairs. Has anyone else ever seen this behavior?

Then again at Esmeralds another big school swam between me (and my camera) and the other three divers. I'm going to try to grab some stills and see if I can post them.

Hey guys,

Thanks for all the feedback. It is greatly appreciated. I had a question about Ecologic divers. I have ready really good things about them and I am also confused as to whether they are connected to Portofino. Some things I read made it sound like they are affiliated, but I also know that Portofino has their own dive shop right there at the resort. Are these two connected? Thanks!

Portofino was working with Ecologic Divers the dive shop at the end of Portofino's Dock was run by Ecologic Divers. At least it was in March of this year. I have not been up to Portofino for a while so I am not sure if that is still the same arrangement.

I do have to agree about Chuck and Robbie's they are great. That is who I recommend to my friend and family. Many people come back year after year just to dive with them.

For clarification, Ecologic Divers still runs the dive shop at the Portofino dock (nothing has changed) and they are doing an awesome job! They also have a dive shop in town. This the Ecologic website: http://www.ecologicdivers.com/
Jan
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Portofino Restaurant & Beach Resort
North Ambergris Caye
New Website: www.portofino.bz

I agree that the sites up north (north of the cut) are great to dive as well. We have been to Tres Cocos and Mexico Rocks. They have lovely coral, but we saw a lot more marine animal life at Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley.

Great!! Thanks for the clarification, Jan. I think we will definitely go through Portofino then, it is convenient and supposed to be a great dive operator. It sounds like Ambergris has many reputable dive shops. That says a lot about the island!! Thanks to all of you for sharing your input.

Just keep in mind that Shark Ray Alley is not a dive site. Sorry, if someone has already said that. Snorkelling only. Hol Chan can be dived or snorkelled. I like it as a shallow dive.

For further clarification, Ecologic has just changed hands and now has new owners. But most of the staff appear unchanged and one of the previous owners is remaining as an employee, so their level of service shouldn't suffer.

Phil's recommendation is still one to be considered - BAD are highly reputable and not far from Portofino.

I'd like to weigh in for White Sands Dive Shop. I have been diving with them off and on for over 2 years and I think they are great. I have gotten to know the dive masters and boat operators and have absolute trust in them. By the way, it really doesn't matter much where you are staying, most of the dive shops will pick you up at the dock in front of your place and drop you off there. The only issue is sometimes they have to take you to the shop if you are renting gear and need fitted. I think Elbert, Sam, Juan Carlos, Junior and the rest of the crew are great.

My wife Debbie and I absolutely concur with the recommendations of Elbert and his team. Experienced, very knowledgeable and a real 'hoot' to dive with. I got Carlos to take me down to 130 ft just outside the A.C. reef to get used to the idea of going that deep before I went out to the Blue Hole. It made me much more relaxed on the 'big day' itself and was very well worthwhile!