Main Menu
Join Undercurrent on Facebook

The Private, Exclusive Guide for Serious Divers Since 1975 | |
For Divers since 1975
The Private, Exclusive Guide for Serious Divers Since 1975
"Best of the Web: scuba tips no other
source dares to publish" -- Forbes
X
 

Dive Review of Amigos Del Mar/Blue Tang Inn in
Belize/Ambergris Caye

Amigos Del Mar/Blue Tang Inn, Feb, 2010,

by Maureen C. Carnevale, VA, US (Reviewer Reviewer 4 reports). Report 5385.

No photos available at this time

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Accommodations 4 stars Food 3 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity 3 stars
Dive Operation 4 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ 4 stars
Beginners 4 stars
Advanced 2 stars
Comments I was part of a dive group of 19 divers. We took over two dive boats at Amigos del Mar and nearly the entire Blue Tang Inn.

DIVING

Like others have posted, the reef life at Ambergris Caye is disappointing. The diving here is just OK.

We booked a package deal and were able to get discounted 2-tank dives for $77 US with Nitrox. The total package was for 5 2-tank dives.

It is common practice for the dive operators to chum to attract nurse sharks, groupers and eels. While this is not the most environmentally friendly practice, I don't see it stopping in Ambergris Caye anytime soon.

One one dive there were twelve nurse sharks and several huge groupers.

Spotted eagle rays and turtles were a spotted on nearly every dive.

Amigos took really good care of our group. They were attentive, friendly, fun to be around and mindful of safety.

The dive boat picked us up at the pier at the Blue Tang Inn. It was a quick walk to the dive shop from the hotel for those who preferred to walk.

Coffee and fresh fruit was provided between dives back at the dive shop.

The staff would rinse and store our gear each day.

I would rate the diving at Turneffe Reef, Lighthouse Reef and the Blue Hole much higher. The reefs were much healthier, with more fish life.

Turneffe is $185 US for a three tank dive.
Blue Hole/Lighthouse Reef is $250 US for a three tank dive.

Pick up at 5:30 am. Drop off between 4:30 pm and 5:00 pm.
Breakfast (pastry, fresh fruit, cheese), Lunch (chicken, beans and rice, potato salad, coconut cream pie), soft drinks, and rum drinks (post diving) included.

It is a long day for three dives, but worth it.

BLUE TANG INN

We had a great package with the Blue Tang Inn. The staff was very friendly and attentive.

All rooms have a kitchen. There are two grocery stores within walking distance.

Each room is different and have recently gone through a mini makeover...new decor. Rooms on the third floor are preferred.

The continental breakfast is very basic: coffee, juice, fresh fruit, cereal, toast and sometimes waffles.

•Package reflects discounted room rates based on 2009 pricing (not 2010)
•9 day/8 night accommodation & hotel tax; daily continental breakfast incl.
•5 days of local 2-tank dives = 10 dives (with tanks, weights and belt)
•Complimentary nitrox on the 10 local dives ($100 value)
•RT air from Belize Int’l Airport to San Pedro, Ambergris Caye ($120 value)
•Roundtrip taxi transfer from San Pedro Airport to Blue Tang Inn ($10 value)
•Complimentary use of tandem kayak
•Free wireless access from lobby/pool area
Group Package includes all taxes (does not inc. gratuity for hotel staff/dive shop)
$1,155 US per person based on double occupancy
Websites Amigos Del Mar   Blue Tang Inn

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 101-250 dives
Where else diving Florida Keys, Bahamas, Grand Cayman, Bonaire, Cozumel, Channel Islands
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather cloudy Seas choppy
Water Temp 78-79°F / 26-26°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 50-100 Ft/ 15-30 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions Typically first dive was max of 80 ft., second dive was max of 60 feet. Most dives lasted 50 minutes.
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? yes

What I Saw

Sharks Lots Mantas None
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles > 2 Whales None
Corals 1 stars Tropical Fish 2 stars
Small Critters 2 stars Large Fish 3 stars
Large Pelagics N/A

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subject Matter N/A Boat Facilities N/A
Overall rating for UWP's N/A Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments I am not a photographer. They did have a fresh water bucket exclusively for cameras.
Was this report helpful to you?
Leave a comment (Subscribers only -- 200 words max)
Subscribers can comment here
 

Subscribe Now
Subscribers can post comments, ask the reviewer questions, as well as getting immediate and complete access to ALL 475 dive reviews of Belize and all other dive destinations. Complete access to all issues and Chapbooks is also included.

 
Featured Links from Our Sponsors
Interested in becoming a sponsor?
Reef & Rainforest, Let our experience be your guide -- Reef and Rainforest
Reef & Rainforest
is an agency for travelers that like to scuba dive. Want to see the Blue Hole, Caves, Mayan ruins and rainforests? Let us plan your adventure to Belize

Want to assemble your own collection of Belize reports in one place?
Use the Mini Chapbook Facility to create your personalized collection.

Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

Undercurrent Home


Get more dive info like these and other important scuba updates sent monthly to your email.
And a FREE Recent Issue of Undercurrent

Free Undercurrent Issue
Get a free
monthly email and
a sample issue!


Find in  

| Home | Online Members Area | My Account | Login | Join |
| Travel Index | Dive Resort & Liveaboard Reviews | Featured Reports | Recent Issues | Back Issues |
| Dive Gear Index | Health/Safety Index | Environment & Misc. Index | Seasonal Planner | Blogs | Free Articles | Book Picks | News |
| Special Offers | RSS | FAQ | About Us | Contact Us | Links |

Copyright © 1996-2024 Undercurrent (www.undercurrent.org)
3020 Bridgeway, Ste 102, Sausalito, Ca 94965
All rights reserved.

Page computed and displayed in 0.1 seconds