Scuba Enthusiast with Mainland Excursion
This nine-day, eight-night tour includes round-trip airfare, eighteen dive sessions, first-class hotel accommodations steps from the Caribbean beach, culinary indulgences highlighting the freshest local fare, and a mainland excursion to the above ground ruin of Lamanai, an archaeological site once a major city of the Maya civilization accessible only by river boat.
Typical Itinerary for the Scuba Enthusiast with Mainland Excursion
daily schedule is subject to change in the event of inclement weather
Day 1: Travel to Belize, arriving at Philip Goldson International Airport in Belize City. Transfer to the luxury beachfront Banyan Bay Hotel, on Ambergris Caye, via a connecting flight to San Pedro Airport on Tropic Air. Check in that afternoon, followed by an early evening welcome reception.
Day 2: Following breakfast, transfer by boat to the private barrier reef island of Turneffe Atoll, the largest of Belize’s atolls, where the varied topography harbors a wealth of marine life including sharks, rays, dolphins, turtles and large reef fish. Enjoy two morning dives and one afternoon dive with catered lunch. Return to the hotel and dinner in San Pedro followed by an evening at leisure.
Day 3: After breakfast, two morning dives at Ambergris Caye, with lunch break before one afternoon dive. Following a light supper at the hotel, enjoy a night dive at Hol Chan Marine Reserve to observe nocturnal life not usually seen during the day such as octupus, squid, lobsters, starfish and the entrancing bioluminescence. Conclude your day with a late-night bite to eat.
Day 4: After breakfast, transfer by boat to the Great Blue Hole, a UNESCO world heritage site near Lighthouse Reef noted for its spectacular stalactites. The second dive is at Half Moon Caye, known for its kaliedoscopic seascape. After lunch, the third dive, at the Aquarium, offers a variety of marine life living along its wall’s edge. Return to the hotel for dinner in San Pedro and an evening at leisure.
Day 5: Following breakfast, two morning dive sessions at Ambergris Caye, with lunch break before an afternoon of fun and exploration. Enjoy shopping in San Pedro or an afternoon of sun and sand at Secret Beach. Both dinner and evening are at leisure.
Day 6: After breakfast, transfer to Sandy Point, a site well known for its incredible tunnel formations. The second dive site is Basil Jones Canyons, a majestic formation stretching between finger canyons sloping down over 100 feet. The day’s last dive is at Mata Rocks Canyons, a site abundant in queen conchs which attract predators. Return to the hotel for dinner in San Pedro and an evening at leisure.
Day 7: After breakfast, two morning dive sessions at Ambergris Caye, with lunch break before one afternoon dive. After dinner in San Pedro, enjoy a local night out arranged by Caye Tours.
Day 8: Following check out and an early breakfast, transfer by plane to the mainland and explore the Mayan ruin of Lamanai, in the north of Belize in the Orange Walk District. Lamanai (meaning submerged crocodile in Mayan) was once a major city of the Maya civilization. Accessed by river boat, the ride is a wonderful opportunity to spot the many different varieties of tropical birds or the occasional fresh water crocodile floating near the river’s edge. Return to the Raddison Hotel in Belize City for both dinner and an evening at leisure.
Day 9: Check out and transfer to Philip Goldson International Airport for your return trip home.
Included:
Round-trip coach airfare from any point of origination in the continental United States, transfer to and from Philip Goldson International Airport and Ambergris Caye, hotel accommodations, shared golf cart rental, and seven days of breakfast, seven days of lunch and five days of dinner as well as welcome reception. Up to eighteen dives, scuba equipment rental, mainland excursion fees and marine park entrance fees are also included. Dive Staff gratuities, alcoholic beverages and cost of at-leisure time activities are not included.