There are 4 of us going next week and are trying to decide which trip would be best. My wife and I have done 6 dives and the couple going with us just got certified last week. We are wanting to do 1 day trip and can't decide which is best. If we do the Blue Hole we would only go to roughly 60 feet so we don't push our limits.

Would that still be a good dive or do you need to go to 130ft to get full experience. Which do you all recommend? Thanks!

My recollection, from when I did it, is that the cavern at the Blue Hole doesn't open up until about 100feet so going to 60 ft misses the key aspect of the dive. Someone will correct me if I have remembered incorrectly.

The Turneffe dives are pretty , obviously not as deep, it takes a bit less time to get there and the trip is a bit cheaper too!

Might be the better option given your understandable caution re depth of dives

Nick is spot on. The round blue hole you see in all the photographs is the collapsed ceiling of an ancient cave.
The thickness of the ceiling is about 110 feet so on the way down you see only a featureless wall until you get around 110-120 feet deep. Another factor is the tour companies that take you to the Blue Hole will not let you dive a shallower depth because it would mean leaving you unchaperoned during the dive. It's 130 feet or nothing.
I agree with Nick again about Turneffe, especially the North end of Turneffe. Beautiful dives, shallower depths, easier and quicker to get to and cost only 165.usd for the day.

Again Elbert has the facts. But let me ask you a question: Why not just dive the reef? This would be much safer, cost less and give you the experience you all need. The reef is full of great dives and even those of us who live here never tire of them. The very best first (check-out) dive is Hol Chan. Hook up with one of the dive shops on the island; Elbert is one of many and a good one. We each have our favorites. Save the longer, more expensive dives for when you have more experience - like buoyancy control.
You will not be disappointed here.

I think the main point here is being newly certified divers you should stay to the depths you have been trained for being 60 feet
stick with turneffe

My 2 cents, the elbow potentially can have a strong current. So I have been told. When I went there wasnt any current (or fish) even though the dive master warned us there would be strong current and big fish. I have heard from others that the elbow is a spectacular dive when the current is running. Turneffe North is probably better suited to new divers. Then again, the local reef is fantastic and 5 minutes from shore.

One more thing, make sure which ever company you choose to dive with is PADI certified. There is at least one company in San Pedro that isnt.

We are planning on diving with Captain Ron. Anyone have any experience with his company?

Company name is Reef Adventures.

If you go on one of the long distance trips, which require a longish trip outside the reef then make sure they have a BIG boat because it can be pretty choppy. I don't know Reef Adventures or their boat size. I went to Turneffe with Amigos two weeks ago on one of their big boats

I should add that, as I live north of town, when diving just outside the reef I always go with Elbert's team who are fun and safe!