Belize cave diving

[bob1577]

Lads, ladies
Just womdering if anyone knows about cavediving in belize. I have a few Instructors who are going to Mexico for 3-4 months teaching and they would love to take Full cave divers and do some caves in Belize. I also would love to go and see some of these caves. Does anyone know if there is centres that fill & rent tanks and can the caves be accessed by us tourist divers. We don't mind hiking through the woods a little and not need major facilities etc.
Any advice of help would be great. Would like to try organise something over the summer for next jan/feb 2015. Thanks guys

[FW]

As far as I know, cave diving in Belize is by permit only. There have been a lot of cave diving expeditions to Belize, but the permit process takes a lot of time in advance. There is some blue hole diving off shore, though.

[FW]

You might want to check this website, though: http://raggamuffintours.com/2013/03/...-in-the-world/
It appears the policy may change in time for the trip.

[FW]

Try here too: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Beliz...23308801045243

[Jim Coke]

Hi Brendan,

Forrest got you started in the right direction. Contact Chip at Belize Diving Services (BDS):
http://www.belizedivingservices.com/.../senior-staff/

and he can help you out with the logistics. The easiest way to get there is by ferry from Chetumal, you would be staying on Caye Caulker. Giant cave on Caulker is not really a "student" cave, you can swim there from the BDS dock conditions permitting. The only other caves in the Caulker area are short dives and require a boat. There are caves in Ambergris as well, those are being explored currently. At this time I don't believe you need a permit as BDS is registered with the authorities.

Keep in mind that you will forfeit your Mexican tourist visa at the border. When you return to Mexico you get a 10-day visa at the border, period. If you plan to stay in Mexico longer than 10 days after your trip to Belize, you will need to visit immigration services in Playa del Carmen, MX.

[Squirrel Girl]

Try here too: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Beliz...23308801045243

FORREST posted a link to FACEBOOK??????

[FW]

FORREST posted a link to FACEBOOK??????

It was an open page, no need to join FB.

[gasdiver]

I was in Belize during the first week in April. We stayed on Ambergris Caye and took a ferry to Caye Caulker one day. This was a family trip with my wife and daughter so I had no plans to go cave diving, but I did stop by Belize Diving Services while we were on the island. Chip was out diving and the guy running the shop was not a cave diver, so I did not get much information from him. If I ever go back to Belize, I'll plan ahead and try to get a couple of cave dives in while I'm there. Giant Cave is supposed to be one of the largest sea caves in the world.

[Walter Pickel]

As far as I know, cave diving in Belize is by permit only. There have been a lot of cave diving expeditions to Belize, but the permit process takes a lot of time in advance. There is some blue hole diving off shore, though.

Forrest, I have the same understanding you do. It is possible to "sneak" a few dives in around Caves Branch / Misty Mountain but after the word gets out the gig is up and you need to follow the rules.

The Welsh have done a TON of exploration in the Caves Branch area (Barton Creek especially).

[bob1577]

Thanks Forest and all those that replied. I sent a mail to Belize diving on the Fb but nothing back as yet.