FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
GENERAL
I have asthma or another medical condition. Can I dive?
What is the water temperature? Do I need a wet suit?
Should I bring my own equipment?
I am coming on a cruise ship. What can you offer me?
What type of discounts do you offer?
Where can you recommend for accommodations?
DIVERS
Do I need to make a reservation?
I want to dive at a variety of dive locations. Can you accommodate me?
How many divers are on a boat?
Why do you dive at such a deep depth in the Blue Hole?
STUDENTS
Do I need to make a reservation?
I want to get certified, but I do not have four days. What are my options?
Will I get to dive at good spots during Open Water certification?
May I start my Open Water certification at Frenchie's and finish it elsewhere?
Still have a question? E-mail us.
GENERAL
I am coming with a group and some of us are certified and some are not. May we dive together? May snorkelers come along?
Yes.
If the non-certified divers would like to get certified:
Certified divers may dive with Open Water divers on Day 2 (see the Open Water schedule) as a refresher, if it has been a while since the certified diver has been in the water. And/or the certified diver may dive with the Open Water student on Days 3 and 4 of the Open Water course. The student will complete a few skills at the beginning of the dives, but the majority of the time will be spent as a leisure dive. Common student dive sites include: Frenchie's Holes, Caye Chapel, and occasionally, Hol Chan and Spanish Bay.
If the non-certified divers would like to try just a day or two of diving:
Certified divers may dive with Discover Scuba students during a one or two-day introductory course. These dives will be a refresher for the certified diver.
If the non-certified diver would like to come along as a snorkeler:
We bring snorkelers with us only as friends to divers. The price is generally half for snorkelers. The snorkelers may dive during the surface interval, and occasionally during the dives, depending upon the location. Lighthouse Reef, Turneffe, and Spanish Bay are a few of the locations that are best for snorkelers: calmer waters and shallower reefs.
I have asthma or another medical condition. Can I dive?
You must ask your doctor if it is okay for you to dive. Every diver and student must complete a medical form before diving with us. If you have asthma or another medical condition, you must have a doctor sign a release for you to dive. It is best if you do this before coming to Caye Caulker. If not, you can visit the local doctor.
What is the water temperature? Do I need a wet suit?
The water temperature ranges from 18-26 degrees Celcius, 65-80 degrees Farenheit, throughout the year. In the summer months (July-August), you may not need a wet suit. In the winter months, you may prefer to wear a 3mil long wet suit. Other times in the year, you may prefer to wear a 3mil shorty wet suit. We provide wet suits for our divers.
Should I bring my own equipment?
We provide equipment to all of our divers. We provide a 10% discount if you bring your own equipment, but keep in mind, you may also receive that discount if you dive with us for three days (10% is the maximum discount. See $pecials). If you have your own equipment, it is up to you whether it is worth it to you to carry it. We think it is a good idea to bring your own mask because it is small and lightweight and ensures a great fit for you.
I am coming on a cruise ship. What can you offer me?
If you are certified, your schedule will allow you to take nearby, half-day trips such as Hol Chan Marine Park, Caye Chapel, and Frenchie's Holes. You will need to arrive to our shop by 9AM (which you can arrange from your cruise ship). We will return you to our shop by 2PM in order for you to return to your ship in time.
If you are not certified, you may enjoy a one-day introductory experience in a Discover Scuba course.
Because of your time constraints, it is best that you make a reservation.
What type of discounts do you offer?
We offer discounts for diving with us for three days or more, having your own equipment, bringing a group of six or more divers, or diving with us after having been Open Water certified at our shop. We offer a maximum of 10% discount. See our $pecials.
Where can you recommend for accommodations?
Caye Caulker has many options for accommodations that match various budgets. A good resource is www.gocayecaulker.com. Good picks include: Ocean Pearle, deReal Macaw, Blue Wave Guest House, Mara's, and Seaside Cabanas.
DIVERS
Do I need to make a reservation?
It's always a good idea to make a reservation because that will give you the best chance to dive at your preferred location on your preferred dates. We cannot guarantee to book a trip on the exact day that you choose because we have to have a minimum number of divers (for example, Hol Chan's minimum is 2 divers; Blue Hole and Turneffe's minimum is 6 divers). But we will give you top priority when we schedule our trips. If you do not have a reservation, that's fine, too, just come and see us when you get here!
I want to dive at a variety of dive locations. Can you accommodate me?
We always schedule our trips to make our divers happy. If you sign up to dive with us, you will become our top priority in our scheduling, and we will do our best to book a variety of sites for as many days as you would like to dive.
How many divers are on a boat?
We specialize in small groups. Our maximum is 10 divers, with 2 staff on the boat.
Typical dives are between 40 and 50 minutes.
Average dive profiles are: First Dive: 70ft/ 21m for the first half, and 50ft/ 15m for the second half. Second dive: 60ft/ 18m for the first half, and 50ft/ 15m for the second half. The major exception is the Blue Hole which is 135ft/ 42m. Specific depths are noted in the description for each dive site.
The Blue Hole is a deep dive - to 135ft/ 42m, in which we often see reef sharks. Divers must be comfortable in the water, comfortable with going to a deep depth, and comfortable with the idea of seeing sharks. It is always a good idea to take a dive the day before diving the Blue Hole to get reacquainted with the water before diving the Blue Hole. Because of the depth, there is a strong possibility that you will experience Nitrogen Narcosis, an intoxication that happens at deep depths. For most people, this is a good feeling, like having an alcoholic beverage. Occasionally, divers do not enjoy this feeling. Divers can eliminate Nitrogen Narcosis by ascending to a shallower depth (unlike being intoxicated by alcohol, it is not a lingering effect; it immediately disappears at shallower depth). Other considerations include the need to be comfortable with equalizing your ears efficiently, and be an average air consumer. All that being said, you do not necessarily have to be an advanced diver to dive the Blue Hole; you just need to be calm and comfortable in the water. If you are unsure, we recommend diving with us for a day, and we will give you our recommendation.
Why do you dive at such a deep depth in the Blue Hole?
We dive to 135ft/ 42m because that is where we find the tops of the huge stalactites within the edge of the hole's wall. These stalactites are thought to have been formed by an ancient cave system before it was covered by the ocean. The stalactites are impressive and we swim just inside the stalactites for a very unique experience (see the photo at right).
I will only be able to dive for a few days, where are the best spots?
Every dive location is unique and wonderful in its own way. We can talk with you at the shop and gauge your interests and make recommendations. Generally speaking, you will get a good variety by diving at the following locations: a coral canyons dive site such as Hol Chan, Frenchie's Holes, or Caye Chapel; Turneffe and Lighthouse Reef (unique in many ways, see descriptions), and a Southern spot such as Spanish Bay, Sergeant's Caye or St. George's Caye.
I am planning to go on a Hol Chan snorkel trip. Is it worth diving at Hol Chan in addition to snorkeling?
Yes. The snorkeling site at Hol Chan Marine Park is a completely different location than the dive sites. Snorkeling takes place "inside the reef" in a maximum of 24ft/ 8m. We dive "outside the reef" among huge coral canyons that rise from more than 100ft/33m from the sand valleys up to 50ft/15m. The majority of the marine life and coral lives outside the reef. Between our dives, we snorkel inside the reef.
STUDENTS
Do I need to make a reservation?
It's always a good idea to make a reservation so that we can ensure that we start a course on your preferred day. If you are unsure of your exact date, but have a rough idea, that's okay, just let us know. If you do not make a reservation, that's okay also, just come by the shop when you get here!
I want to get certified, but I do not have four days. What can I do?
You can complete your Open Water certification in two days if you complete your course work and confined water skills in a swimming pool before you come to Caye Caulker. This is a standard practice and is called a referral. You can set it up with your local dive shop and bring a signed referral form to us. Keep in mind, you must complete the course within thirty days of your referral. This is because beginners cannot retain all of the necessary information over a longer time span.
Will I get to dive at good spots during Open Water certification?
Yes. We will dive at "real dive sites" during days 3 and 4 of Open Water certification. Those sites include: Frenchie's Holes, Caye Chapel, and occasionally, Hol Chan and Spanish Bay.
May I start my Open Water certification at Frenchie's and finish it elsewhere?
Yes, this is called a referral. You may complete any portion of the course with us and we will complete a referral form for you. If you dive with us for one day, the cost will be the same as a Discover Scuba, and you will receive credit for a portion of your confined water skills and Open Water Dive 1. If you have two days, you may complete all of your coursework, all of your confined water skills, and Open Water Dive 1. The cost is $500 BZ/ $250 US. You will then be able to complete your certification elsewhere with three additional Open Water dives, which can be completed in 2 days.
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information and photos copyright 2005
Website by Heidi Curry