Hi,
We are coming to San Pedro at the end of the month as a group of 7. We already have our tickets,and also have the place to say... Now we dont want to arrange our day trips until we get there to shop around. However, it seems like there are many dive shops and other places that offer day trips either on the ocean somewhere, or to the mainland, ruins, etc.
I don't intend to start a whole "who is the best" discussion (although I will appreciate any references of course). I am sure there a plenty of honest tour-shops out there that offer good deals.
I am not sure whether to book one trip at a time as a group, shopping around each time. Or whether we should make a list of trips we want to make, and try to get a group + multi-trip discount all from a single tour-shop. I am sure all trips are worth the price, but if we were to pay around ~$100/head for each time, we would go broke very quickly.
I will appreciate all the suggestions ....

Your 100% sandiegan.
Your hotel will most likely have a diveshop/activities person and no need to decide anything now. everyone seems to love who ever they go out with first and think they are the best in the world so what the heck, relax your on vacation its all fun.
Prepaying seems to be a waste you never know about weather or how you will feel and you don't get a better price than if you just walk up.

Hehe ... you are right.

I guess when it is going to be the first time we are finding a chance to go out on a week-long vacation in a whole year, I am trying to figure it all out up front and cover all the bases :-)

I rushed to get my scuba licence here before I get to Belize (and I am doing my ocean dives this weekend). I first found a dive-shop offering dive-certification, at a rather affordable price. Then upon searching further, I came across a whole bunch of negative reviews about them in some forums. Then I found some other shop, and found a bunch of positive reviews about them... and it made sense to go with the shop with the higher price, but with more positive feedback. I have had great learning experience (and yes fun) so far, and hopefully my behind is not going to freeze in the cold ocean tomorrow as well.

I know the experiences will vary from person to person, prices will vary from season to season and some people are definitely more picky than others. I figure any positive reference can be something to put in my pocket... any negative reference, send as private message...

I got the idea to send this question when I read that other thread about the top 3 restaurants... does it make sense to ask about the top 3 dive, snorkel or day-trip companies? Like you say, maybe it does not make sense as everyone's first tour-guide may be the best for them ... (frequent travellers may have more chances to compare ...)

You'll have to look very hard to find a "bad" tour company here, whether for diving or other activities. Wait till you get here, look around, then decide who you like best on a personal level.

After all the years I've coming to San Pedro and the extensive touring I've done in that time (cayes and mainland) the last two trips have been where I discovered my favorite person to go out with. Have George Eiley take your whole group out for the day on his famous boat, The Rum Punch (fantastic vintage wooden sail boat) and I can guarantee you the best trip you'll find on the island. He'll pick you up first thing in the morning and take you to the best snorkeling spots, Caye Caulker for lunch, more snorkeling in the afternoon, and take you home for sunset. Truly the best!
http://sanpedrosun.net/old/02-244.html

Gabby, I have to agree George is very cool and with him I feel like the good old days before the slick company's and herds of tourist. For a kicked back sailing/snorkeling day he can't be beat.