Parrot Cove Lodge contracts with Hamanasi Adventure and Dive Resort for its scuba dive tours. Click here for listing of snorkeling tours

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DIVE TOURS

SOUTHERN BARRIER
REEF TRIPS - DIVE

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GLOVER'S REEF ATOLL - DIVE

Departure Time: 7:00 AM
Approx. Return Time: 4:30 PM
Number of Dives: Three
Minimum Number of Divers: 8
Food/Drinks: Lunch, Juice & Water
Snorklers: No
What to Bring: Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses,
wetsuit (available at dive shop),
camera & candy bars/power bars

Due east of our dock this remote island group is a UNESCO world heritage site and probably best represents the incredible diversity and pure diving potential that Belize has to offer. We motor out sixteen miles past the barrier reef which takes us just over one hour to the first dive site. If visibility is good we like to dive a site called "The Pinnacles", which has big coral heads rising up 40 feet or more from the bottom. Our second and third dives are on the East side of the Atoll where the water depth quickly drops off to more than 2000 feet and visibility is usually over 100 feet. We dive several sites on this side of the Atoll and usually dive Long Caye Wall; a world class dive that is always memorable. We drop onto a big field of bright white sand at 40 feet, home to southern stingrays and garden eels. While descending you can spot garden eels slowly dropping into their holes. As you approach the wall running the length of the sandy area it looks like the coral is growing out of the sand bottom in big chunks. Just as you crest the wall the sand appears to be running like small rivers down through the coral into mini canyons. With the usual 100+ feet visibility, the view down the wall gives the impression of limitless space. In reality, the wall is a 2000+ foot drop-off into the deep blue. We follow the top of the wall and explore the sand channels exploding with fish and marine life.

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TURNEFFE ISLANDS ATOLL - DIVE

Departure Time: 7:00 AM
Approx. Return Time: 4:30 PM
Number of Dives: Three
Minimum Number of Divers: 8
Food/Drinks: Lunch, Juice & Water
Snorklers: No
What to Bring: Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, wetsuit (available at dive shop), camera & candy bars/power bars.

This 3 tank trip heads northeast cruising past remote fishing camps and idyllic cayes before punching out of the protective Barrier Reef for a short crossing to Turneffe Islands Atoll. Our first dive is one of Belize's most famous dive sites, "The Elbow." This has a convergence of several ocean currents passing by canyon-type formations. Here we may swim through enormous schools of horse-eye jacks, Atlantic Spadefish, snappers and permit, as well as see sharks, turtles and eagle rays! During surface intervals we go into the sheltered lagoon surrounded by mangrove islands. On the next two dives we experience sheer walls for which Turneffe is famous. It is common to see moray eels, turtles, rays, big barrel sponges and large coral formations while drifting along over the edge of the abyss. We usually end our trip with the shipwreck site Sayonara. It is a broken wreck sitting at less than 60 feet depth on top of a steep wall. This site has a proliferation of fish and big coral formations including swim-throughs.

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LIGHTHOUSE REEF ATOLL & BLUE HOLE - DIVE

Departure Time: 6:00 AM
Approx. Return Time: 5:00 PM
Number of Dives: Three
Food/Drinks: Snack, Juice & Water
Minimum Number of Divers: 8
Snorklers: No
What to Bring: Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, wetsuit (available at dive shop), camera & candy bars/power bars.

We start this trip bright and early and head 50 miles offshore to the Great Blue Hole, which takes approximately 2.5 hours. Once there you can go down 130 feet to view the largest underwater dripstones on the planet. We have two Blue Hole dive profiles. Only experienced, comfortable divers will be permitted to dive to 130 feet. Other divers will enjoy a comfortable, 60-foot Blue Hole dive.

After the Blue Hole, we head a short distance to Half Moon Caye Bird Sanctuary. Located at the southeast corner of Lighthouse Reef, Half Moon Caye has some of Belize's clearest waters and finest beaches. This 45-acre island managed by the Belize Audubon Society was declared a natural monument in 1981, largely because of its Hawk's Bill and Loggerhead turtle nesting sites, as well as its 4,000 red footed boobies. These rare birds are a glistening white color with bright red webbed feet. The birds nest in the heavily wooded west end of the island where there is a viewing platform allowing visitors an unbelievable view of both the reefs and the trees covered with booby and frigate birds.

Our second dive explores the Half Moon Caye wall, a unique topography of swim-through channels. Immense coral buttresses are decorated with black corals, gorgonia, sea whips and a variety of brightly colored sponges, as well as a profusion of reef fish and cruising pelagics. Divers then return to Half Moon Caye for a picnic lunch and a relaxing surface interval before heading out to Long Caye for our third and final dive site. Perched on the edge of the cobalt blue abyss The Aquarium starts in only 15-20 feet of water before plummeting downward. This site offers what is arguably some of Belize's most prolific and high energy diving. We then depart for our 2-hour journey home with the wind at our back and the sun setting over the Maya Mountains before us.

NOTE: The Blue Hole trip is highly dependent on weather and a minimum number of divers signing up. We average this trip approximately once every two weeks. Groups can pre-arrange this trip with our dive team if weather allows.

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WHALE SHARK TRIPS - DIVE

Departure Time: 10:00 AM
Approx. Return Time: 5:00 PM
Number of Dives: Two
Food/Drinks: Snack, Juice & Water
Minimum Number of Divers: 8
Snorklers: No
What to Bring: Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses,
wetsuit (available at dive shop), camera & candy/power bars.

On the Southern Barrier reef just over one hour from Hamanasi is Gladden Spit, where the largest fish in the sea, whale sharks, come during the week of the full moon in April, May and June. This special place has a steep sandy bank pushing out into very deep sea. On an ordinary day one can see large schools of jacks or snappers and visibility is well over 100 feet. But during the full moon phases in April, May and June of each year Gladden Spit has no ordinary days. Each year during the full moon Mutton and Cuberra snapper spawn here. The giant whale sharks come from far away to feed on the spawn. It is common on this dive to see schools of snapper in the thousands with whale sharks passing through them. Divers will likely see these majestic creatures very close but they are not allowed to chase, ride, touch or otherwise disturb the Whale Sharks. These dives are very popular. Book your vacation in advance to see Whale Sharks with Hamanasi! All participants are required to complete a whale shark release form.

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Please Note:

* All divers are required to complete a Scuba Diving Liability Release Waiver and sign off on PADI¹s Safe Diving Standards.

* All divers must have certification cards and all major certifications are accepted. No one is permitted to dive without a valid certification card, unless he participates in a Discover Scuba Diving or Open Water Course.

* Certified divers who have not had the pleasure of diving for over a year are strongly encouraged to complete a short Rusty Diver Course.

* Trip minimums apply! If we do not have enough divers for our trips, especially atoll trips, we will stick to the Barrier Reef. In that unlikely event you will still be able to enjoy excellent diving on a great number of different sites. We try to dive all 3 atolls every week but are not always successful. We dive the Southern Barrier Reef almost every day.

* Gear storage is available in the Hamanasi Adventure Center. Hamanasi staff carries all gear to and from the boats, assists with preparation and washes all equipment in fresh water every day. Hamanasi is not liable for missing or damaged equipment.

* The nearest recompression chamber is on Ambergris Caye. Hamanasi is a paid member of the group managing the chamber. A portion of our dive fees is paid over to the Recompression Chamber. This contribution supports the chamber and reduces your fees in the unlikely event that you would need to use the chamber.

* We strongly recommend DAN insurance, which can be purchased at Hamanasi Adventure Center.

Hamanasi also offers scuba dive certification and training if you are interested

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CONTINUED EDUCATION for Diving
Hamanasi has a wide range of courses designed for all levels of diving.

RUSTY DIVER

Are you a rusty diver? This "course" is designed for the certified diver who has not dived recently or a new diver who wants to refresh skills and important diving procedures. There will be a basic review of in-water exercises to reacquaint the diver with the skill to dive safely.

PADI ADVANCED OPEN WATER DIVER

Want to take your diving to the next level? Look no further. Become a PADI Advanced Diver today and start experiencing the exciting adventures the world of diving has to offer. This program presents the perfect opportunity to gain additional experience and skills under the guidance of a PADI professional. It is a in-water performance based program which includes 5 dives - a Deep dive and Navigation dive plus 3 more dives from the following list: Underwater Naturalist, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Fish ID, Multi Level, Drift, Boat, Search and Recovery.

SPECIALTY COURSES
How far will you take this diving thing? It's up to you. With PADI Specialty Diver Programs you can chart your course for a colorful collection of awesome dives. Sure, your PADI certification opens up the oceans and lakes to you, but the PADI Specialty Dives take the underwater adventure to depths that will stir your soul. Achieving PADI Specialty ratings can take anywhere from as little as one day to two or three days - but this is all hands-on, so you'll be diving right from the start.

PADI UNDERWATER NATURALIST SPECIALTY COURSE

Have you ever seen a beautiful coral, a little critter or some extraordinary fish and wondered its name? Do you want to learn more about the habits of fish and other marine creatures? This course is specifically designed for the diver who wishes to learn more about the marine life and reef ecology. Become a more responsible diver while making your diving more rewarding. We cover some theory and then go discovering on two dives.

PADI DEEP DIVING SPECIALTY COURSE

The PADI Deep Diver course offers you the adventure of a lifetime – going deep to see things others only dream about. During the course, you will cover the knowledge, skills and techniques required to dive deep, as well as learn about specialized equipment and procedures for deep diving. Four dives to a maximum depth of 130 ft are included and can be conducted in two days.

PADI MUTLI LEVEL DIVING SPECIALTY COURSE

There’s so much to see underwater that you'll want to make the most of your stay. So, to maximize your underwater adventure, you should learn how to plan and carryout a multilevel dive. You will be able to use the PADI wheel and a computer to calculate extended bottom time. In turn, the course will enable you to enjoy the beauty and thrill of a deep dive without compromising on bottom time. This includes two dives and can be completed in one day.

PADI PEAK PERFORMANCE BUOYANCY COURSE

We often admire those divers around us who look perfectly weightless and totally relaxed under water. You too, can achieve this picture of weightlessness through perfect buoyancy control! This specialty course will give you knowledge and skill practice that will enable you to move effortlessly above the corals and at the same time will extend your bottom time through proper breathing techniques. Join one of our PADI professionals for two fun dives and achieve perfect buoyancy!

PADI UNDERWATER NAVIGATION COURSE

Have you ever felt disoriented under water or wondered how your dive guide manages to get you back to the boat at the end of the dive? The underwater navigation course enables you to navigate under water using natural and compass navigation techniques. This course includes 3 dives over one or two days and is done in a fun and safe environment. This also prepares you for the rescue diver course.

PADI SEARCH AND RECOVERY COURSE

Accidentally drop something in the water? Looking for lost treasure? Learn effective ways to locate objects underwater with the Search & Recovery Diver program! You will cover techniques and application of a variety of search and recovery methods, including the planning, organization, procedures, techniques, problems, and hazards of search and recovery diving. You will learn the use of various search patterns and the proper techniques and safety considerations for recovery of objects using various lifting devices.

EMERGENCY FIRST RESPONSE

Why Emergency First Response? Emergency First Response gives you the tools you need to perform CPR and First Aid. Whether you're a diver or a non-diver, Emergency First Response prepares you to properly handle potentially life-threatening situations. This comprehensive program is composed of two core modules that can be taught in tandem or as stand-alone courses: Emergency First Response - Primary Care and Emergency First Response - Secondary Care. Together, these courses provide extensive instruction in CPR and First Aid, as well as providing optional (yet recommended) Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and Emergency Oxygen sections. Depending on the amount of self study and number of students, this course can be completed in as little as 4 hours. No dive certification required.

DAN OXYGEN FIRST AID FOR SCUBA DIVING INJURIES

DAN´s Oxygen First Aid for Scuba Diving Injuries Provider Course was designed to fill the void in oxygen first aid training available for the general diving public. This course represents entry level training designed to educate the general diving (and qualified non-diving) public in recognizing possible dive related injuries and providing emergency oxygen first aid while activating the local emergency medical services (EMS) and/or arranging for evacuation to the nearest available medical facility.

PADI RESCUE DIVER COURSE

Rewarding and fun – that best describes the PADI Rescue Diver course. This course will expand your knowledge and experience level. Rescue Divers learn to look beyond themselves and consider the safety and well being of other divers. You will develop your knowledge and skills so you can effectively perform diver assists and rescues, manage diving accident situations and render first aid. Although this course is serious, it is an enjoyable way to build your confidence.

PADI MASTER SCUBA DIVER

What is the PADI Master Scuba Diver Certification? This certification denotes that you've reached the highest recreational diver level in the PADI System of diver education. PADI Master Scuba Diver indicates you have a significant amount of training and experience in a variety of dive environments.

What do I need to start?

• PADI Open Water Diver certification (or qualifying certification from another organization)
• PADI Advanced Open Water Diver certification (or qualifying certification from another organization)
• PADI Rescue Diver certification (or qualifying certification from another organization)
• 50 logged dives

Five PADI Specialty course certifications
Where do I go from here?

With this certification in hand, you'll have reached the highest accomplishment for a recreational diver. The PADI Master Scuba Diver certification indicates a rating of superior achievement and proficiency in dive skills, experience and underwater activities. Isn't that what you're all about? You can now continue on to become a PADI Professional - as a Master Scuba Diver you’ll be well qualified to begin your training as a PADI Divemaster.

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SNORKELING TOURS

Belize boasts the Western Hemisphere’s longest continuous barrier reef, approximately 185 miles of coral formations with a large variety of marine life. The Southern Barrier Reef offers several different snorkeling sites for both beginners and experienced snorkelers in a pristine environment. With visibility ranging between 60 to 100 ft, snorkelers often have close encounters with eagle rays, southern stingrays, octopus and even dolphins.

The majority of our snorkeling takes place in the South Water Caye Marine Reserve where conservation and safety are the two key words. A certified Belizean Tour guide who would love to share his passion and knowledge of the ocean with you accompanies all snorkelers. For safety reasons we never dive and snorkel at the same site.

The sun in the tropics can be intense! Please take appropriate precautions and wear sunscreen and a t-shirt or wetsuit.

Snorkel gear is included with these trips:

Island Based Snorkeling

Departure Time: 8:00 AM
Approximate Return Time: 1:00 PM
Food/Drinks: Snack, juice and water
What to Bring: Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, exposure protection like dive skin or T-shirt, light windbreaker for wind chill after the snorkel, camera, power bars.

Join the dive boat for a trip out to South Water Caye where you and your guide will be dropped off for a morning of snorkeling and relaxing on the beach. It takes about 30 – 40 minutes to the island. Once at the island, your guide will take you to a beautiful white sand beach from where you can explore the nearby reef with its multitude of colorful fish, conch shells and southern stingrays. After snorkeling for a while, you may wish to relax under a palm tree while enjoying your snack and juice before venturing back into the water for a second snorkeling session. Once the divers have completed their second dive, they will pick up the snorkelers and head back to Hamanasi for lunch. This snorkeling trip is ideal for beginners or for those who prefer a land based snorkeling trip.

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Snorkeling from a Dedicated Snorkel Boat

Departure Time: 8:00 AM
Approximate Return Time: 1:00 PM
Food/Drinks: Snack, juice and water
What to Bring: Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, exposure protection like dive skin or T-shirt, light windbreaker for wind chill after the snorkel, camera, power bars.

Explore the reef from the comfort of a boat that can take you to a variety of snorkel sites on one trip. It takes approximately 35 minutes to the first snorkel site. Snorkel the channel at Tobacco Caye where tarpon and permit are often seen or the patch reef of Whale Shoal where you will encounter a variety of colorful reef fish, cleaner shrimp and stingrays. The weather influences our choice of snorkeling sites. When we snorkel the northern part of the Southern Barrier Reef, we usually make a stop at Man-of-War Caye where you can see a variety of nesting birds like frigates and brown boobies. On this trip entry and exit are directly from the boat, as opposed to the island based snorkeling where you can wade into the water from the beach. This trip is ideal for agile and experienced snorkelers.

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