AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums The Cayes Caye Caulker SCUBA Buddy or Group on CC

Hello, we're moving to Caye Caulker on September 30 (17.5 days!!!) and I am a SCUBA diver. I'm interested in finding a "dive buddy" or "dive group" who might have a boat that can be used for diving trips, or do some "shore dives" together, independent of the for profit dive tour groups on CC. I have all my equipment, except a tank, which I am considering purchasing once we get to the island, especially if I can hook up with some others and do some private dive trips. I of course will happily chip n towards costs of the boat on any trips we might do.

Please reply through a Private Message, especially if you'd like to keep your identity from public knowledge.

Belize has rules in place for a reason and if you try to bypass them it may not go well for you. Caulker is a small place and everyone knows your business

I too had been diving where we rented tanks and went diving with a buddy any place on the California coast. Bonaire also had the same option.
When I first came to Belize I was surprised to find that individuals could not rent tanks.
In 1994 I dove in Australia and witnessed divers sitting on, walking on and picking pieces off of the reef. I was horrified.
I came to understand why the diving is so controlled here. The reef is the life of the cayes! The regulations that require all divers to be under the supervision of licensed tour guides are in place to preserve this delicate environment.
Please don't get your ego involved - none of us are too good to challenge the regulations. Besides, you will soon become best friends with the nicest people.

I apologise and plead not being informed of the regulations. I would never intentionally try to skirt the rules, regulations and laws of my newly adopted country.

Thank You for getting me up to snuff, greatly appreciated! My intent was nothing more than to meet other divers and maybe save a couple bucks in the process, not in skirting these very well intentioned rules.

Again, I apologise for not knowing these regulations and am looking forward to becoming part of the diving community on CC. I had a GREAT dive experience with BDS and will happily use them for my future dive trips.

Brad&Lorrie
I'm glad you understand. My intention was simply to inform you - we all had to learn. Where did you get certified and do you do u/w photography?

And so you understand in Belize you cannot be a tour guide unless you are a Belizean citizen, even residents or QRP cannot be tour guides. And as I understand it you cannot get a captains boat license unless you own property. Others may know better about that item.

ScubaLdy, Thanks again for clarification. I was originally certified in college (Slippery Rock State U) in 1977, but have not done any diving for over 20 years. I re-certified this past Spring, with class/pool work in CT and did my certification dives through BDS in CC. I anticipate that I will be doing some purely amateur u/w photography, but certainly nothing more than that, once we are on the island full-time.

dabunk - I am aware of the employment regulations in Belize and, as a retiree, have no plans, or interest, in working anywhere any time soon. Might I suggest using a bit more "tact" in your reply posts, they seem to come across, at least to me, very "terse" and "condescending" (maybe not the best adjectives, but the ones that come to mind at present)....just a suggestion/thought so that your information is taken in the vain I imagine you wish to provide.

I do so apologize if you find my responses not to your liking. I hope you love the people at immigration when you renew your visa every month and they do not kiss your American feet and give you sweet answers to your liking. I figure you will not make a year here sadly with your attitude. Wink Wink I do not want to skirt the law but I do not bother to learn about a place before I move there and then want them to change to my way!

It takes all kinds to make a community.

I do agree ScubaLdy, all kinds indeed.

dabunk, we are in total agreement on learning, and accepting, the laws, rules & regulations (there is a difference between all three) of one's new country. And one method of doing so, thanks to the world wide web, is to post & inquire on message boards, such as this one. I've learned something I didn't know prior to posting and I'm grateful for it and thankful to ScubaLdy & you for the information! Having spent my entire career in the education field, I believe no day should go by without stamping out at least a small portion of one's ignorance. ;-)

I do disagree with your evaluation of my chances of longevity on the island, as well as your broad assumptions of my expectations of the government employees of Belize, based solely on my nationality "wink wink" as you say ;-)

Your method of delivery of information seems to be based more on a need to feel superior to others, than to helpfully assist in the process of an individual wishing to stamp out a small portion of their ignorance...which I am not too vain to admit I have my fair share of, but endeavor to lessen the quantity on a daily basis. How about you dabunk?