Belize Reef Exploration Tour

[AquaSportsInc]

Join Aqua Sports, Inc. and immerse yourself in the underwater paradise that is Belize. This diverse ecosystem was listed as a world heritage site in 1996. The coastal area of Belize is an unique natural system consisting of the largest barrier reef in the northern hemisphere, offshore atolls, several hundred cays, mangrove forests, coastal lagoons and estuaries. These pristine and protected waters make for world class diving.

World Heritage
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (NESCO) seeks to encourage the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity. This is embodied in an international treaty called the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, adopted by UNESCO in 1972. The mission of this treaty is to preserve biological and culturally significant locations world wide. Sites include East Africa’s Serengeti, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Baroque cathedrals of Latin America.

Blue Hole
The Blue hole is a geological oddity, named as a world heritage site in 1996 and a national landmark in 1999. Millions of years ago it was a complex system of dry caves. Scientists believe that a earthquake caused a shift in the reef and as the last ice lake melted the caves were flooded.
Unable to support itself the walls crumbled, leaving a nearly perfect circle with deep blue water. The Blue Hole is Approximately 300 feet across and 412 feet deep. Intricate array of bizarre stalactites mould its walls and lure divers with their increased intricacy at depth.

Turneffe Atolls
These regions encompass some of the most diverse marine life in the entire Caribbean. With more than 200 mangrove islands, this region is a nursery and home to exotic fish life as well as a population of American Crocodiles. Swim with eagle rays, dolphins, huge green morays, giant jewfish, nurse sharks, reef sharks, trunkfish, grouper, snapper, permit, and horse-eye jacks. The mangroves provide shelter from pounding swells as the sand bottom gently slopes. Soft corals and sponges grow magnificently in these calm waters. Giant coral heads stretch over sand bottom as schools of fish ride the current past. Watch out you might even spot a whale shark.

Dolphin Encounter: Get up close and personal with these amazing animals. Step into their world as you learn, touch and interact with these charismatic creatures. After a informative orientation, step into the lagoon and watch the dolphins perform tricks at your command, pose for photos and swim beside you. A nice way to spend your surface interval. Laugh out loud fun and a once in a lifetime experience.

Reef Snorkel: You don't need to travel very far offshore to meet the amazing reef system that guards Belize's coastline. See thousands of fish, turtles, rays and sharks as you spend your afternoon surface interval exploring the light drenched shallows of the reef.

Experience why Sport Diver Magazine calls Aqua Sports, Inc. “One of the Best Dive Training Operations in the United States” and refers to our program as “Diving in Luxury.”

Your Professional Dive Team: Your trip will be escorted by a PADI Master Scuba Diving Instructor Trainer who has certified U.S. Navy Seal candidates, U.S. Army Ranger candidates, Professional Rescuers, Movie stars, Sports Heroes, Celebrities, and has spent nearly 7,000 hours underwater, while diving and training around the world. Your other trip leader is a behavioral biologist and instructor who has traveled the world studying sharks and marine ecosystems, while working with National Geographic, Mote Marine Lab, Sylvia Earle and NOAA. She is a professional and award winning photographer and will capture your adventure in photo and video form. Combined, your professional dive team provides world-class scuba training and educational exposure to some of the most remote dive sites in the world.

Dive with the Best!

Learn while you dive world class sites. Work on your Advanced Open Water, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Underwater Naturalist or Deep Diver certifications.

Itinerary:

Thursday Oct 18, 2007: Arrive Belize City. Airport transfer to marina. Boat ride from Belize City to San Pedro.

Arrive at resort and get settled in. Prepare for a night dive on the reef just offshore.

Friday Oct. 19, 2007: 3 tank trip to North Turneffe Atoll. Afternoon dolphin encounter. Dive Safety seminar

Saturday Oct. 20, 2007: 3 tank trip to South Turneffe Atoll. Reef snorkel adventure. Marine Biology seminar

Sunday Oct. 21, 2007: 3 tank Blue Hole Excursion. Group dinner

Monday Oct. 22, 2007: Additional dive day or day of lounging

Tuesday Oct. 23: Depart

Includes:

Airport pickup and transfer to marina
Boat transfer to Cay
5 days 4 nights in Cabana lodge with water view
All meals
Taxes & park fees
10 dives
Tanks & weights
Marine biology seminar
Dive Safety seminar
FREE AOW or Specialty (Underwater naturalist, peak performance buoyancy or deep dive)
Photo Album and video of your adventure (above & below surface)
Group dinner
Wildlife encounter
Barrier reef snorkel

$2470.00

Does not include: Roundtrip air to Belize City, Gratuity for ASI staff or Belize boat diving crews or dive gear.

Price based on double occupancy