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 Huracan Dive Center in
Belize/Long Caye

Huracan Dive Center: "Amazing diving and an onsite staff that really cares!", Apr, 2022,

by SHARA NEIDELL, PA, US (Reviewer Reviewer 5 reports with 3 Helpful votes). Report 12154.

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 2 stars
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ 4 stars
Beginners 4 stars
Advanced 4 stars
Comments Great diving - Long Caye is the place to stay if you want to be close to the best diving in Belize and have it all to yourself first thing in the mornings while all the other boats travel there. Each dive spot had something a bit different to offer - and we even wound up doing a night dive as we were so close!

Favorite spot: Half Moon Caye where we could spend all day playing with the various groupers - so many different types and they were all extremely friendly and out playing. We did both morning and afternoon dives there, with a barbeque lunch and exploring of the boobies on the island in between. The staff also got everyone who wanted a fresh coconut by climbing the trees.

Other good spots: Long Caye Wall, Silver Caves, Night Watch, Lighthouse Wall, Playgrounds, Aquarium (you guessed it: felt like swimming in an aquarium), East.

Coral is in great shape - this is what diving in Cozumel was like 20 years ago - great reefs, loads of fish, easy diving, with lots of time for relaxing. A few more specifics: healthy vibrant corals, sharks on almost every dive, lots of spotted eagle rays, schools of Bermuda Chubbs and so much more!

Only diving snafu was that we dove Blue Hole on the one rainy and overcast morning. So, not much light - we decided it was a Black Hole that day.

Accommodations were nice enough - it's an "eco-resort" of types though they rely heavily on generator power. If you're a light sleeper, get the front rooms rather than the back ones - where you may hear both the generator and the compressor. Each room had its own bathroom (front rooms have more space and larger bathrooms), there was some common space and outdoor space. Meals served at a large, communal table. The food was really good - we were a bit hesitant as the chef was on break but his replacement proved to be well worthy.

And the rest of the onsite staff really went out of their way to make sure that everyone had a good time. Our group of 5 was the largest contingent. We had another couple of experienced divers and a father/ son that were beginners. We did have to choose sights that fit all levels but, when it called for separation, they sent one divemaster with the experienced divers and another with the newer divers.

The only downside is that the overall resort management does so from afar. So, while the staff is hard working, they cannot make all decisions - and are dictated what to do in terms of numbers of dives, timing and any additional costs. Beware: they tried to charge us more than was indicated on the materials for bringing our own booze (even though their bar was limited) because it came from the US. We fought them on this - apparently, it was the absentee manager who was pushing for it. Would be an even better option if they would elevate the divemaster - who has a hand in everything to at least an assistant manager and allow the onsite staff more proactivity in managing guests.
Websites Huracan Dive Center   

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 101-250 dives
Where else diving Mostly Caribbean, some Asia
Closest Airport Belize City Getting There Flights were no issue - even during COVID. Though you need to get there to hook up with their boat for the ride to the island. We were told that we needed to be there at a certain time and that the boat would not wait so scheduled a very early flight; we then were at the dock for hours waiting for folks whose flight was delayed - and they were even staying at the other resort on the island!

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny Seas calm
Water Temp 80-82°F / 27-28°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 50-60 Ft/ 15-18 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions Not many once we did a few dives and the divemaster realized that we were all good on air
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? no

What I Saw

Sharks Lots Mantas 1 or 2
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles > 2 Whales None
Corals 4 stars Tropical Fish 5 stars
Small Critters 2 stars Large Fish 4 stars
Large Pelagics 4 stars

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

Subject Matter N/A Boat Facilities 3 stars
Overall rating for UWP's N/A Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments Separate space for cameras. Since I don't take pictures, I don't pay too much attention to this - the less I have with me, the better
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 484 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