I'm going to answer as many of your questions as I can and to the best of my ability.

*-What is the weather like in Jan? From info I've read in our scuba magazines, it is rainy season from Dec thru March,and that there are 3-4 days rainstorms called "Norther's" that occur.

The official rainy season ends around November but true there can be Northers come down. I wouldn't worry too much about it.
January is a good month for Belize.

-Are bugs a problem and is bugspray needed?

I don't find the mosquitos all that bothersome when I'm near the oceanside but away from there they can be terrible. I always take Deep Woods Off with me (100% Deet) I don't use it all the time but often cover my feet, ankles and lower legs with it to avoid the sandflea bites when out for the evening. Better to take some with you than wish you'd had done so.

-From what I've read, Ramon's sems like a pretty good bet for accommodations for this first trip.

Depends on your tastes. Sure the grounds are very nice but for my money, I'd stay eslewhere. Like Lan said, with an 18 year old, I'd definitely be going for a condotel. That way, you get a kitchenette, a lounging area and usually separate sleeping areas. A one bedroom unit in most all of the condotels has a pullout couch.

I particularly like a kitchenette because I can fix my own brekkie on dive days and not be at the mercy of a restaurant. Some days, timing is everything. It's also nice to be able to get your own beer or whatever while you kick back on your own patio or veranda.

. *ie- is Ramon's pretty
diver-friendly?

They have their own shop, so I'd say yes. And if Robbie is still working at the shop, he's a great guy, you'd enjoy diving with him I'm sure.

- We are looking for moderate/advanced diving (Bryce is rescue cert, I am a DM)The diver operator that keeps popping up as the favorite is Amigos del Mar. Do they operate out of Ramon's or are they contacted somewhere else?

Amigo's are down the beach from Ramon's but will come and pick you up at the Ramon's dock or anywhere that you stay.

-The diving we're used to is drift diving in Cozumel. There, we take the early morning "fast" boats with a max of 6 divers of similar ability and choose the site based on the group's interest and ability. Is this similar in Belize?

That has not been my experience. It certainly works if you go with a large group and have your own boat dedicated to you for the time of your trip. However, when there is only one or two of you, you get put on with whoever. At Amigo's, they know me and what I like so they do often put me with more experienced divers but it's kind of a catch as catch can thing. Sometimes you bite the bear, sometimes the bear bites you. What I will say though, is that my dives have never been curtailed due to divers' of lesser experience. All you have to do is have a chat with your DM, explain your credentials and let them see you guys dive (of course) and you'll be able to do pretty much whatever you like. I'm generally first in, last out. Divers are sent to the surface for pickup as they run out of air or desire, leaving behind the others to finish out their dives.

If you are willing to go with a smaller operator, more of a boutique outfit, you can probably get exactly what you want. The larger shops do have to cater to all of their customer base, right? Check out Ched Cabral.

_We would very much like to see sharks, but from what I've read, the sharks in the "alley" are all nurse sharks. Is there another site nearby where we can find reef or other sharks?

While sharks other than nurse sharks have been sighted close in, the best way to catch them is out at the Blue Hole.

_Ive read that the site The Elbow at Turneffe Islands has them- is this a long haul from AC?

Yes, about an hour to hour and 1/2. Well worth the trip. That said, I've never spied a shark out there. Doesn't mean they aren't there, just that I myself have never seen a shark at the Elbow or Turneffe. I always see lots and lots of sharks at the Blue Hole. There is a reason for that.


-How long is the boatride to the Blue hole?

One and 1/2 to 2 hours. Well worth the trip.

-Is it choppy (a dramamine ride ?

That all depends. I've never been sick on the ride even when they used the smaller boat. Amigo's has a beautiful 48' with a great head, mattresses for napping on the way out, the whole shebang. Beautiful boat. Beautiful way to spend a day.

If you are inclined to seasickness then I can't say for sure what will happen. The seas are different sometimes even from day to day.

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A fish and a bird can fall in love, but where will they build their nest?