LIVE ABOARDS in Belize

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Sun Dancer II

Cruising the outer atolls of Belize, Sun Dancer II, the largest of the Dancer Fleet at 138 feet, brings yet another dimension to luxury live aboards. All of the magnificent cabins have individual air-conditioning controls and most have picture window views.

RESORTS

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Duplooy`s Jungle Lodge has it all, plus peace and quiet. Before or after diving enjoy the beauty of the Belize rain forest. Duplooy`s Jungle Lodge is located on the Macal River, 2 1/2 hours from Belize City and only 5 miles from Guatemala. Here you will find yourself in touch with nature at its finest. Mayan Ruins, canoeing, horseback riding, hiking, swimming, bird watching and much more are available. No trip to Belize would be complete without visiting DuPlooy`s Jungle Lodge.

Lighthouse Reef Resort
(closed for renevations until 2007)

The premier dedicated dive resort in the outer atolls of Belize.The beautiful Lighthouse Reef Resort offers all cabanas accommodations. It is also famous for the best Wall Diving in the outer atolls. They offer Sea Kayaks - Air Conditioned Cabanas - Mini bars - Round-trip airfare from mainland Belize. There are no Long Boat Rides to the resort from the mainland. 3 tank boat dives daily on these beautiful walls, and short boat rides to the dive sites. 3 meals daily and excellent dive operator on site.

Belize is often referred to as one of the Seven Underwater Wonders of the World. The world`s second largest barrier reef runs parallel to its coast, at distances ranging from a few hundred feet at the northern tip of Ambergris Caye, to nearly forty miles at the southern-most tip of the country.

However, the barrier reef is not the only factor that makes Belize one of the world`s most popular destinations for scuba divers and snorkelers. Many of the small islands, known as "cayes," that lie off the coast of the Belizean mainland have their own coral reefs, with spectacular underwater gardens teeming with sea life of all types.

The clear turquoise waters (which average 79-84 degrees) and the proximity of the barrier reef make Ambergris Caye a favorite destinations for divers and snorkelers. The most popular destination is Hol Chan Marine Reserve, located 4 miles southeast of San Pedro. The ocean floor ranges from 5 to 35 feet, so both scuba divers and snorkelers have the opportunity to swim in what seems like an underwater acquarium, teeming with colorful tropical fish of all sizes and types and beautiful coral formations. The "cut" (channel) leading out to sea functions as a sort of "fish freeway" for many large fish, including giant groupers, barricuda and nurse sharks, a timid and unaggressive shark species. Divers and snorkellers may enjoy a close encounter with a sea turtle.

Capital:

Belmopan (pop 7,000)

Population:

280,000

Current:

110V/60hz

Currency:

Belize dollar

Departure Fees:

$20.00 USD

Language:

English (official), English Creole, Spanish, Maya and Garifuna

Recompression Chamber:

Yes

Visa requirements:

US citizens do not require visas if they have a return ticket and need a passport valid for the planned length of stay in Belize. Other visitors should check with embassy, consulate or tourist office.

General:

Belize is a country located in the southeast of the Yucatán Peninsula, on the Caribbean coast of the Central American isthmus. It shares borders with Mexico to the north and Guatemala to the west. The country consists predominantly of tropical lowland and swampy plains, though the Maya Mountains in the west rise to almost 3000 feet. 18 miles offshore is the world`s second largest barrier reef. Half of the country is covered by dense jungle; the rest is farmland, scrub and swamp. The tropical forests provide habitats for a wide range of animals, including jaguar, puma, ocelot, armadillo, tapir and crocodile. The country also harbors keel-billed toucan, an abundance of macaws and parrots, and heron and snowy egret. Belize is hot and humid year round, but respite from the weather can be found in the cooler mountains or from the tropical breezes that waft over the cayes.