News
Discover the Best of Belize with Dive Worldwide
This June marks the 25th anniversary of the Belize Barrier Reef becoming a World Heritage Site! To celebrate, Dive Worldwide have rounded up their top trips to Belize which includes a resort-based stay, a liveaboard special and a twin-centre with neighbouring Guatemala – perfect for soaking up some culture.
Reefs, Atolls & Mayan Ruins
The only English speaking country in Central America, Belize is warm, welcoming and offers unbelievable adventures. This gem has plenty for divers from incredible nature and topside activities to magical diving opportunities. Belize has the second longest barrier reef in the world and three of the four atolls in the western hemisphere making it a popular choice for divers.
If you missed the Dive Worldwide Belize talk in January you can catch up here.
Spend a week diving the remarkable barrier reef from Ambergris Caye before enjoying a few nights exploring the jungle with its Mayan ruins and caves.
Underwater there’s plenty on offer, with canyons, drop offs and swim throughs in addition to a unique topography and relatively easy conditions. You’ll be accompanied by a kaleidoscope of reef fish as you marvel at the array of sea fans and sponges adorning the seabed. Highlights include nurse shark, stingray, grouper, angelfish, turtle and dolphin.
You then head off-the-beaten-track in land where you stay at an eco lodge in the heart of the Belizean jungle. Here there are a multitude of activities on offer including hiking and cave tours or you can immerse yourself in Mayan culture and visit a number of nearby ruins for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Departs: Jan-Dec
Duration: 13 days
Price from: £2,945 per person
Dive the Lighthouse and Turneffe Atolls from a liveaboard and experience the very best diving Belize has to offer. Located in the Lighthouse Reef there will be the opportunity to dive the Great Blue Hole. This atoll is full of marine life with angelfish, Creole wrasse, butterflyfish, barracuda and sponges found here.
Turneffe is the largest of the three atolls and offers a mixture of shallow reefs and sheer walls with a variety of reef fish and beautiful underwater scenery. Turtle, eagle ray, reef shark, snapper and jacks live on the healthy reefs. Dive sites of note include Half Moon Caye – another UNESCO World Heritage Site – and Painted Wall where you can find macro subjects such as ghostfish, crabs, blennies and invertebrates.
Departs: Jan-Dec
Duration: 10 days
Price from: £3,475 per person
Begin your holiday with some topside cultural discovery in Guatemala. This country packs a punch with its colonial architecture, Mayan ruins nestled in the verdant green jungle and stunning vistas. Don’t miss a visit to Lake Atilan, widely renowned for being one of the most beautiful lakes in the world with its volcanoes, thermal springs and incredible sunrises.
After a few days in Guatemala it’s time to go diving in Belize! Explore the barrier reef and spend time diving the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Blue Hole – the largest of its kind in the world and one of the top reasons to visit Belize. Here the waters are crystal clear, the topography is impressive with large coral and rock formations and the marine life is prolific with reef and black-tip shark in addition to large grouper.
Departs: Jan-Dec
Duration: 14 days
Price from: £3,495 per person
If you want to experience the world class diving and topside highlights of spectacular Belize, contact the Dive Worldwide Team.
All prices are per person and include flights from the UK, liveaboard or accommodation, diving, most meals and airport transfers.
News
Relief Fund raises over $26k to support PADI Members impacted by recent Maui fires
In response to the devastating wildfires in Maui, Hawaii, PADI® teamed up with the Ako’ako’a Foundation, creating a relief fund to directly assist members in Maui get back on their feet and in the water as soon as possible. To date, $26, 961has been raised to support PADI Members impacted by the recent fires.
The Ako’ako’a Foundation is based in Kailua-Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii, whose passion and purpose is to unite the stakeholders of Hawaii’s nearshore marine environments and work together to create positive ocean change.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those who have been affected by this tragedy,” says Drew Richardson, CEO and President of PADI Worldwide. “United above and below the surface of our shared blue planet, we stand together with the dive community to provide strength and speed in recovery efforts.”
Join PADI and the Ako’ako’a Foundation with your support of relief efforts for the diving community.
100% of all donations to this relief fund will be distributed directly to dive professionals in Hawaii in need of recovery from the devastating fires.
If you are an individual or business in Hawaii who wishes to extend or receive support, contact PADI Regional Manager Kyle Ingram at kyle.ingram@padi.com.
News
Oonasdivers say Hola! to Mexico
Oonasdivers is very excited to annouce a big Hola! to a new destination: MEXICO!
Here’s what they have to say:
The land of tacos, tequila and so much more!
Discover a world of tropical indulgence and endless adventure on the Mexican-Caribbean coastline: exquisite beaches, sumptous retreats, turquoise waters, palm-studded sands, mouth-watering cuisine, diverse landscapes, ancient marvels and picture-perfect vistas. Mexico is an icon for the tropical beach idyll, the spirit of escapism and the warmth of authentic culture.
Yet Mexico’s true standout gem is what lies beneath the surface of its waters. Home to the Earth’s second largest coral barrier reef, the world’s largest underwater cave system, spectacular geological features and breathtakingly unique landscapes, Mexico’s thriving eco-system is sure to delight every diver.
A slice of paradise on every shoreline – both above and below water – and now the team at Oonasdivers want to bring the Mexican adventure to you.
Prices for a dive holiday to Cozumel start from £1995pp and Playa del Carmen from £3295pp with Oonasdivers.
Oona’s own Lydia recently visited Mexico to check out the destination and the diving for their guests. You can read all about her trip on their website here: https://www.oonasdivers.com/Blog-Cozumel-Beach-Paradise-Meets-Underwater-Paradise