Camping Trip
World famous. Adrenaline-rush Blue Hole. Breath-taking Lighthouse reef
and Turneffe Islands.
We drive out across "the blue", the deep, deep ocean; we pass Turneffe Islands, and then we come to Lighthouse Reef, a coral atoll perched up out of the ocean, teeming with life.
We leave at 8:00 am so we'll get to the Blue Hole way after all the other boats have left. We want you to experience the Hole in its pristine, clear form without any other divers in the way.
Made famous by Jaques Cousteau, the Blue Hole is 1000ft/333m in diameter, and 410ft/125m deep. We descend along the edge of the Blue Hole, in the area most likely to be visited by reef sharks. At 135ft/42m, we swim through stalagtites formed by a limestone cave system which was created before the site was covered by the ocean.
The surrounding Lighthouse Reef is the densest, richest coral reef in Belize. Corals are huge, colorful, and varied. Marine life is superb. Most people say that this reef is worth the trip alone. After lunch, we visit two well-known dive sites in the Southern part of Lighthouse Reef Atoll. We camp at beautiful Half Moon Caye, with the most amazing sunsets and starry nights. The next day, after a big, filling breakfast, we visit two untouched dive sites on the Northern Cayes of Lighthouse Reef Atoll. On our way back to Caye Caulker, after having lunch, we make our last dive in the Northern Turneffe Islands. We want to make this a great experience for you, with unbeatable diving and healthy yet exquisite meals.
FIRST DAY (Lighthouse Reef)
Dive
1: The Blue Hole, 135ft/42m
Highlights:
A deep dive, stalagtites, sharks.
Dive
2: Half Moon Caye Wall, multilevel: 70ft/21m & 50ft/15m
Highlights:
Dense, colorful, coral wall with swim-throughs, drops 4000-6000ft/1200-1800m.
Dive
3: The Aquarium at Long Caye Wall, multilevel: 60ft/18m & 40ft/12m
Highlights:
Great quantity and variety of fish; spectacular coral.
Overnight camping at Half Moon Caye. Onsite showers and bathrooms available.
Special dinner: BBQ under the stars with reggae music!!! BYOB.
SECOND DAY (Lighthouse Reef and Turneffe Islands)
Dive
1: Black Forest,
multilevel: 70ft/21m & 60ft/18m
Highlights:
Untouched, pristine, dense, colorful, coral wall 4000-6000ft/1200-1800m.
No other dive shops visit this site.
Dive
2: The Abyss, multilevel: 60ft/18m & 50ft/15m
Highlights:
Untouched, pristine, dense, colorful, coral wall 4000-6000ft/1200-1800m.
No other dive shops visit this site.
Dive
3: Black Coral Wall at Turneffe Atoll, multilevel: 60ft/18m &
40ft/12m.
Highlights:
Named for its impressive wall of the treasured black coral, host to thousands
of black-capped basslets
Additional Highlights: Half Moon Caye Natural Monument is a tiny beautiful island that supports the only Booby breeding colony in Belize. They nest beside their pirating neighbors, the Magnificent Frigatebirds. The colony can be viewed from an observation platform located in the littoral forest on the western end of the caye. Also, we often see large schools of dolphins during our return trip.
| Common* wildlife to see: | Large schools of fish, Hawksbill Turtles, Loggerhead Turtles, Eagle Rays, Tarpon, Moray Eels, Lobsters, Crabs, Eagle Rays, Nurse Sharks, Spotted Drums, Pederson Shrimps, Cleaner Shrimps, Arrowhead Crabs, Channel Crabs, Southern Sting Rays, Squid, French Angelfish. |
| Common sessile organisms to see: | Many varied species of: Gorgonians, Anemones, Rope Sponges, Tube Sponges, Barrel Sponges, Encrusting Sponges, Vase Sponges, Brain Coral, Staghorn, Fanworms, Feather dusters, Christmas Tree Worms, Hydroids, Tunicates, Zoanthids, Corallimorphs, Spaghetti Worms. |
| Possible to see: | Manta Rays, Reef Sharks, Hammerhead Sharks, Bottlenose Dolphins, Nudibranchs. |
| Number of Dives: | 6 |
| Number of Divers: | 6-8. |
| Boat: | Seaweed: Pelican 45ft/13.7m with three brand-new engines, cover for shade and a changing room. |
| Schedule: | Leaves at 8AM. Returns the next day at approximately 4PM. |
| Distance: | 1.5 - 2 hours. |
| Includes: | Scuba gear, 2 lunchs, dinner and breakfast; fruits and snacks; water and soda. No alcoholic beverages provided, but you can bring your own. |
| Maximum Depth: | 135ft/42m. |
| Experience Level: | Those comfortable in the water and at a deep depth. We recommend diving with us for a day before diving the Blue Hole. If you are unsure, we will make a recommendation regarding you diving the Blue Hole. |
| Price: | $1000 Belize/ $500 US; Park Fees included ($90 Belize/ $45 US). 12.5% tax not included. |
*Of course, we are talking about the wilderness; so every dive is unique.
All
information and photos copyright 2005
Website by Heidi Curry