Ambergris Caye is the biggest of the offshore keys and a great place to stay if you wish to base yourself in a dive resort within easy reach of Belize's barrier reef. The many marine parks here mean that fishing restrictions are in place in several important zones. Also there are a number of different ecosytems to be found here so the species variety is wider than may be found elsewhere in Belize.
With its sandy streets, brightly colored signage and friendly people, Ambergris Caye has a distinctively Caribbean feel to it and it's a fun place. 25 miles (40 km) long and less than a mile (2 km) wide in places, it is home to a surprising amount of flora and fauna, both above and below the water. Some locals have even reported seeing jaguars here, but then the local rum is very cheap and strong ...
With a good selection of bars, restaurants and nightlife in the small main town of San Pedro, a multitude of beaches, and accommodation and diving packages options, lots of activities, and the B Belize Barrier Reef running the entire length of the island, it's a very popular place with both the young and the more sensible, and the ideal base for a vacation in Belize with a few days of scuba diving.
The 40 or so best dive sites of Ambergris Caye run along the barrier reef on the east coast of the island, and this is where most of the resorts are located. There are no liveaboards operating here; instead, dive resorts run daily trips to the local sites by speedboat.
We offer stays in the small tourist town of San Pedro and in the less-developed north end of the island. San Pedro has the largest offshore population in the country and is the main tourist base in Belize. You should base yourself here if you enjoy social activities. More sophisticated restaurants and higher end resorts can be found north of San Pedro. Some of these dive resorts are accessible only by boat and allow for a much more secluded, resort-style feel, even though the town is always accessible.
Dive trips to the more challenging sites at Lighthouse Reef (the Blue Hole) and Turneffe Atoll can be arranged at additional expense. Trips to the mainland are also popular, to partake in activities such as jungle river expeditions, exploring Mayan temples and visits to wildlife sanctuaries. [More information on these dive sites: Ambergris Caye, Lighthouse Reef, The Blue Hole, Turneffe Atoll].
> [More details: Ambergris Caye Dive Resorts]For those that prefer to find their own accommodation, we also offer day trips from Ambergris Caye.
Whichever option you choose, stays of 5+ days are ideal as there are over 30 different dive sites to visit. Ambergris diving packages normally include accommodation (either half board package or breakfast only basis), dives and transfers from San Pedro Airport.
Review your resort diving package options for this popular holiday destination:
Ramon’s Village Resort
Customer rating: Excellent!
Steve and Becky’s
Customer rating: Good
Ambergris Dive Daytrips
Customer rating: Be first to rate!
Like most of Belize, Ambergris Caye has a sub-tropical climate. The northern hemisphere summer months are the warmest, with temperatures ranging between 75-90°F (24-32°C). During the northern hemisphere winter months the temperature drops to 60-80°F (16-27°C). The dry season is between January and May, when the weather is warm and sunny. The rainy season is between June and December, but these are usually squalls and rainfall rarely lasts for long periods.
You can dive in Ambergris Caye all year round, although January through the end of April is known as high season, with the Christmas/New Year period attracting peak season surcharges. You should also be aware that a rare tropical storm can wash out scuba activities and reduce visibility for 2 or 3 days at a time. There are some seasonal diving condition factors so please check our Ambergris Caye dive site descriptions for more details.
Ambergris is 34 miles (55 km) east of Belize City. San Pedro has an airstrip, meaning it's an easy and short 20 minute flight from the city's Philip Goldsen International Airport. Return tickets cost about USD 160 and are run by Maya Island Air and Tropic Air.
A cheaper alternative to get to Ambergris are water taxis which cost around USD 35 for a round trip. These are open air speedboats which take between 45 minutes and 1.5 hours, depending on route stops. Boats leave from the 'Marine Terminal' on North Front Street, next to the Swing Bridge in Belize City.
Sometimes travelers need to change their plans and cancel their trip for the most unexpected reasons. We recommend you consider diving, travel and trip cancellation insurance. See our insurance program for a competitive price:
If you plan on staying in Belize before or after your Ambergris Caye resort diving vacation, you will find a range of choices at hotelscombined.com, our affiliated hotel reservation specialists:
All bookings are backed up by their 'Low Price Guarantee' to ensure you get the best value for money. You can also book now and pay later. Most resorts only have a small number of rooms, so book your dive package early to avoid disappointment!
Pip was great about responding quickly and getting information if she didn't already have it. We were making several dive plans and she gently nudged us to get our plans finalized. The website even had a special offer for the dive we were planning on doing in the time period that we wanted to go, so they saved us even more money. The website has lots of info about many options at various prices to choose from
