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Dive Review of AquaDives/AquaMarina Suites in
Belize/Ambergris Caye

AquaDives/AquaMarina Suites, Feb, 2006,

by Joe Cadigan, Ma, USA . Report 2910.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 3 stars Food 3 stars
Service and Attitude 4 stars Environmental Sensitivity N/A
Dive Operation 4 stars Shore Diving 1 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ N/A
Beginners 3 stars
Advanced 4 stars
Comments Ambergris was overall a great vacation spot, very laid back, the locals were very friendly. Street vendors were reasonable in their approach for the most part, the only problem we had was with an aggressive (and I believe drunk) young local hawking timeshares in the street. The food was good, I suppose very good relative to the price. Must eats include Elvie’s Kitchen, Blue Water Grill, Caliente. The Palmilla at the Victoria House resort was the most expensive meal of the week, and the most disappointing at any price.
We stayed at Aquamarina Suites, which was fairly inexpensive, and adequate. We stayed in the main part of the building with an ocean view, people that we spoke to that stayed in the north end of the building seemed less happy with accommodations. The desk and cleaning and maintenance staff were great, bartenders and waitstaff at the mediocre on-site restaurant less so.
We dove with AquaDives, which is 3 minutes walk from the Suites. They were by and large ok, I’d give them a 3.5 out of 5. The boats were ok, some divemasters were very good (Carlos and Michael in particular) some were indifferent to somewhat rude. The one major complaint was the trip to the Blue Hole/ Lighthouse Reef trip. The trip can be, and was, very rough, but I can deal with that (many couldn’t, nothing else in nature replicates that color of green on a seasick face). The two reef dives were excellent, the Blue Hole is a “must dive” that I wish I’d skipped for the alternate three- reef trip. I don’t see the point of diving to 135’ just to dive to 135’. The bulk of pictures taken were of computers showing the depth. The real source of my complaint had to do with the speed at which our skipper navigated certain sections of very narrow channels through very shallow reefs. I thought he was going way too fast, but I figured he’s probably done this a million times. I didn’t want to be the wimp that said something. Then I saw the petrified look on one of the divemasters’ face.
We’re going back in Feb ’07, this time we’re trying The Palms, which seems to get high marks on Tripadvisor.com, and diving with Ramon’s next door.

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 101-250 dives
Where else diving Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Grand Cayman, Bermuda, Bonaire,
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, dry Seas choppy
Water Temp 79-82°F / 26-28°C Wetsuit Thickness 0
Water Visibility 70-100 Ft/ 21-30 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions Max depth of dives largely determined by bottom at 108', but for Blue Hole max 135'.
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

Sharks Lots Mantas None
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles > 2 Whales None
Corals 4 stars Tropical Fish 3 stars
Small Critters 2 stars Large Fish 4 stars
Large Pelagics 4 stars

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

Subject Matter 4 stars Boat Facilities 4 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 4 stars Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments
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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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