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Dive Review of Gaz Coopers/Playa Blanca Dive Resort in
Belize/Ambergris Caye

Gaz Coopers/Playa Blanca Dive Resort, Aug, 2005,

by Bruce Wallace, IN, USA . Report 1741.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 4 stars Food 4 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity N/A
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving 1 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ N/A
Beginners 5 stars
Advanced 5 stars
Comments Second trip to Belize and 2nd time with Playa Blanca/Gaz Cooper. This is a first class operation - great DM's (especially Andy, Oscar and Elijah). Gaz is a real person - great with guests and willing to make arrangements for whatever is necessary for guest comfort. Food at resort is great and there are three excellent ($$$) restaurants within 5 minutes walk along beach. Rooms are huge with full kitchen, HOT WATER showers and air conditioning. Dive operation is basic with very small groups (no more than 6 total on boat), Mooring buoys always used. Dive briefing after one monitored checkout dive is just that - BRIEF - "You know da rules - no lotta talkin - suit up once - let's dive!" The dive sites are PRISTINE! You name the fish, it's there. Chummed for nurse sharks and groupers - 50 minutes of "hands on" fun and frolic! The "alley" had 3kt current - That was not fun - lotsa work. On three out of six days, our surface interval was in town (San Pedro) for lunch and a little shopping than back out for another deep dive (90+) and a third dive along the reef on the way back to the resort. Night dive at Hol Chan - OUTSTANDING (Sharks, groupers, rays, octo's, turtles, lobsters, etc, etc, etc.) All dives were acceptable for beginners (pushing edge) all the way to advanced. Many swim throughs (some really tight) and accompanied by nurse sharks (a little unnerving for my wife). Most dives are multi-level with max at 110' at bottom of reef cuts up reef walls to 70'. Reef dwellers abound and there are always several barracuda and morays hanging around to make your day exciting. This is diving! No crowds, virgin reefs, tons of fish, outstanding resort, great food, brilliant moonlit skies, bright stars and great dive operator. Who could ever ask for more?

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience Over 1000 dives
Where else diving Aruba, Belize, Bermuda, Bahamas, Cancun, Caymans, Florida Keys, Guadeloupe, Indiana, Puerto Rico, Red Sea and Vietnam
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny Seas choppy, surge
Water Temp 79-83°F / 26-28°C Wetsuit Thickness 0
Water Visibility 60-120 Ft/ 18-37 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions Do not empty the tank. Dive own profile with computer
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

Sharks Lots Mantas Squadrons
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles > 2 Whales None
Corals 5 stars Tropical Fish 5 stars
Small Critters 5 stars Large Fish 4 stars
Large Pelagics 4 stars

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

Subject Matter 5 stars Boat Facilities 3 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 4 stars Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments Excellent handling of camera equipment by staff. Fresh water tub in shade. No film processing.
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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.

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