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Dive Review of Bottom Time/Banyan Bay Resort in
Belize/Ambergrise Caye

Bottom Time/Banyan Bay Resort, Sep, 2005,

by William Walton, Texas, USA . Report 2130.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 5 stars Food 4 stars
Service and Attitude 4 stars Environmental Sensitivity N/A
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving 1 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ N/A
Beginners 5 stars
Advanced 4 stars
Comments This was our second trip to the Banyan Bay Resort, which is about one mile south of San Pedro on Ambergrise Caye. Even though we loved our first trip, the second one was even better. Banyan Bay has to be (our my opinion) the best value as far as housing in the Carribean. Consider that 1 1,000 sq. ft., two bedroom, two bath condo (pool view, which is all that really is needed) goes for about $185 per night in the low season and around $240 per night in the high season. Plenty or room for a medium size family, or two couples. A fold-out couch in the living room could make it workable for even three couples. The dive operation, Bottom Time, is located 50 yards away at the adjacent pier, and is (once again) the best operation the I used (either Eddy or Rudy). Personnel attention and great guides.. each one different and emphasized whatever you requested, within the limits of safety and logistics. My son and I were the only ones on the boat for a week (pre-Hurricane Rita), but we received service that you would expect with a full boat.
This time, we decided to rent a golf cart (primary mode of transportation) which really widened our post-diving actities in and around San Pedro. We were able to get one for $135 per week, low season price. We were told to call in advance in the high season, as the carts sell out during the winter months. Once again, the best restaurants for us were Papi's Diner and Caramba. Elvi's Kitchen was also excellent, but the serving's were small and the prices seem to be going up. The overall San Pedro / Ambergrise Caye is the best in the Caribbean, because of: friendly locals; remote (yet close) location; beautiful reef that is only 500 yards off-shore (short boat rides with one hour stop in town); nurse sharks, turtles, sting rays; many things to do for non-divers.
On a side-note, because we live in Beaumont, Texas, our lives were threatened by Hurricane Rita (we came out OK). Because of this, we made numerous calls to the mainland each day...over 200 total calls during the week. However, even thougn we used "ATT Direct", the resort's policy was/is to charge $2.50 per call. This made our phone bill during our visit over $400! When the management of Banyan Bay realized that we were hurricane "victims", they waived the charge for the phones.. once again, a great operation.

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 51-100 dives
Where else diving Bonaire, St. Eustatius, Panama, Florida, Puerto Rico, Cozemul
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, windy, rainy, cloudy Seas choppy
Water Temp 84-86°F / 29-30°C Wetsuit Thickness 0
Water Visibility 50-80 Ft/ 15-24 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

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

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

Subject Matter N/A Boat Facilities N/A
Overall rating for UWP's N/A Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments [None]
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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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