Kindly don't oil up before snorkeling by the reef - it's not good for the coral, and there are NO buggies out there at all, I promise!

Very true Diane! I'm usually done snorkeling for the day when I am perched on a beach chair with my feet in the sand at a great local watering hole, relaxing after a beautiful day on/in the water! Those sand fleas can be pesky! 46 more sleeps!!

Thanks! Wouldn't dream of it, Diane. My husband owns a saltwater coral business where we aquaculture the coral, so that less of it needs to come directly from the reefs. The LAST thing we want to do is harm the coral We're both dying to get to the Blue Hole!

I cannot WAIT to get down there! Sitting here in Oklahoma City in my cubicle (supposed to be working on spreadsheets)... have a wonderful weekend everyone - and again, thanks for the info! I'm sure I'll need your input many more times before we go, I really do appreciate it.

One thing to keep in mind, for every season of the year there are plusses and minuses. People come here year around for different reasons. Those of us that live here like different seasons more than others. But we all make the most of what's good....gripe a little about what's not so hot. And we are all different. But it's just like anywhere that way.
But this isn't like any place else so if you like our quiet season, you'll be happy!

Gwen - it sounds like ANY season there is pretty amazing

Absolu-te-mently!

This is very true, but the difference in mosquitos between September and Februray is amazing. I'd take February over September any time.

In 18 years of marriage, I've only gotten away with slapping Mrs. Otter once. My story (and I'm sticking to it) was to get a mosquito off her face. It was at Belizean Shores in September. Unlike "winter" when the wind comes off the sea, the wind dies in September and/or changes direction. If you get more than 30 feet off the sea -- you get taken alive.

Though it could have been my tasty gringo blood....

Been to AC in August 2004 while 4 hurricanes hit Florida, our home state. Sucked all the bad weather out of AC and it was quite beautiful there. We just had to worry about our home in FL. We also vacationed in June and again it was very beautiful there. We dove with Chuck and Robbies near Blue Tang Hotel, we loved both. I was a new diver, (my husband had been diving for over 20+ years). Robbie was very helpful, understanding, and patient with me, as was Enrique who worked for him. After 5 days diving with them (and after 2 years diving), I finally felt comfortable and found my love of diving. I owe it all to them and thier patience, it sure wasn't my husbands patience I'm sure there are other great dive operators on AC, I can only tell you about my experience.

In addition to damaging the coral think about what oils, etc. do to the chemicals in pools. I watch people sit by the pool and slather on the sun screen then jump in the pool and leave a ring around them. Go natural as much as possible.

My favorite, Neutrogena oil free sunscreens. Put them on early and let it sink into your skin. Costs a little more but it's more environment and pool friendly.