Portofino Resort |
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| small dive resort with all mod cons... |
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Portofino Resort is a luxury dive resort located on a stunning, 100 metre-long private beach on the popular island of Ambergris Caye. The Belize Barrier Reef, the second largest in the world lies just 800m off shore, making this spot a true diver's paradise.
Rooms: 19
Diving in: Ambergris - Belize
Dive type: Boat dives
Divers: Max. 30
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This beautiful, quiet haven is 9 kilometres north of San Pedro and just 15 minutes boat ride away from the town with its shops and nightlife. The resort's in-house restaurant is highly regarded and there are several other excellent eateries in the area so you don't need to venture far if you prefer not to! There is a range of excellent accommodation to choose from including beach cabanas, treetop suite and the luxurious Portofino Mansion. The Portofino Resort also offers free wi-fi internet to guests.
The barrier reef offers Belize scuba diving in small marine parks and diverse ecosystems. It is also possible to take daytrips from here to the more distant atolls such as Lighthouse Reef and its world-famous Blue Hole. There is so much to see on the barrier reef though that you may be tempted to just kick-back, relax and enjoy the diving close to home.
If you are looking for a luxury, intimate resort in an exquisite location with some great Belize dive sites at your fingertips then Portofino Resort is the ideal choice.
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| rooms, beds, bathrooms, views... |
There is a range of room types at Portofino Resort and they are all next to the beach with ocean views and a thatched roof.
You can choose from 6 beach cabanas, 2 Beachfront Rooms and 4 suites - 2 VIP and 2 Colonial suites. There are 2 also Treetop suites that are elevated on wooden stilts 3m high with stunning views, and a huge Honeymoon suite that has a Jacuzzi. There is also a luxurious beachfront mansion built for families and small groups which sleeps up to 8 guests.
All units have:
- Air-conditioning and ceiling fans
- King size bed (except Colonial suites which have 2 Queen-size beds each)
- Mosquito nets and reading lights
- Beachfront (except Treetop Suite) with sea views
- Private bathroom with hot water shower, towels, toiletries & hair dryer
- Outside furniture on a private deck
- Cable TV and wifi internet access
- Refrigerator
- Cabinet, chairs and mirror
- US type electricity plugs
- Room service from 6.30 am - 9 pm daily
- Fire extinguishers
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| diving details... |
The diving here is conducted in a relaxed atmosphere with no rushing. Divers are split into small groups on 3 boats depending on their experience so everyone can get the most out of their Belize diving experience. Diving with Portofino consists of 2 dives per day at 9:30 am and 1:30 pm, and an optional night dive each day. This allows you to see the best of the immediate area. Atoll dives to the more remote sites are also available but require a full day. 1 day of atoll diving is included in the 7 night package.
The nearby dive sites are just 15 minutes away and include Hol Chan Cut, a natural channel through the reef, Amigos Wreck, an old sunken barge, Mexico Rocks, located nearly right in front of the resort, Mata Cut and Cypress Gardens, a reef with deep and narrow canyons.
Out in the atolls a different type of diving awaits, and discovering the Blue Hole at Lighthouse Reef is highly recommended. Turneffe North is the atoll closest to Portofino and is easily accessible. Turneffe Elbow is located on the atoll's southern tip.
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Getting up close and personal with north Indian manatees are possible at the secluded Swallow Caye, outside of Belize City.
Local dive trips are conducted on 9 metre 200 HP motorised boats with ladders, a divemaster, tanks, weights & weightbelts, towels and drinking water. Full day trips to the atolls are conducted on Pro 48s with more facilities.
The dive centre has guest scuba equipment storage stations, rinse tanks with a special tank for cameras, a shower and first aid kit. The resort staff will rinse and carry guest scuba equipment during their stay.
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