Dive Review of
Hamanasi in
Belize/Hpkins, Stann Creek District

Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, Monterey Bay

Dive Conditions

All dives were conducted as drift dives with a loose group. Divers could
vary profile withing line of sight. If low on air, ascend to 15' for safety
stop and boat would pick you up.  

[None]  

Overall Rating

We were staying at a friend's house so this report and ratings only apply
to the dive operation. We did hang out at the Hamanasi resort after dives
and used the pool. Staff were friendly and food was good but approximately
double the cost of the local restaurants in the village. We were there in
the rainy season so lots of bugs. The diving was delayed as Hurricane Dean
passed by with minimal effect. This reduced visibility to 40' and improved
to 60' after a couple of days. As it was low season there was typically
only 4-6 divers on the boat. Hamansai have three boats, two with covered
bow and open stern, twin outboards (225 hp and 200 hp). The other was open
with a fabric shade with twin 150 hp outboards. Trip out to the reef was
about 25 minutes smooth sailing (an additional 10 minutes on the small
boast). All dives were drift dives. Profile for first dive was typically
70' for 20 mins along the wall and then +25 mins at 40' on top of the reef.
Second dive was 50' for +45 minutes.

Plenty of reef fish, spiny lobsters, barracuda and jacks. Generally saw 2-3
eagle rays and 1-2 turtles on each dive. Plenty of hard and soft corals but
seemed somewhat colorless but that may be partially due to the less than
crystal clear water.

Normally Hamanasi needed 8 divers to go out to the atolls but as it was low
season, they agreed to go with only 6. Unfortunately, both times we had
enough divers signed up, early morning lightening prevented the trips,
although the regular 2-tank barrier reef dive happened.

My wife went through her OW certification. She was the only student so had
to pay the higher private class rate and received little classroom
instruction. As she had done a discover scuba class before in PDC she
passed fine but felt the course was a little hurried.

On a return trip I would stay on the atolls where I assume the best diving
is located. Overall, for the four days of barrier reef diving I would say
the cost was very expensive for what you got (double of Mexico). The
Hamanasi staff were very friendly, helpful and ran a safe operation.  

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