I know, I know, asking this question may put me in the traitor category! We absolutely love Bonaire but a Belize "opportunity" has come up. Is there anyone out there who has been to Belize who can give us any information.

We are snorkellers and wonder - if we are staying on Ambergris Caye what is the snorkelling like in comparison to Bonaire - is it anywhere near as good?
Joyce

From what point of view? On Ambergris, you will need to travel by boat to snorkling locations. If that's ok, then so be it. The reef is not a swimable distance from shore.

We had our first trip to Bonaire in June, and we are coming back in November. We have been to Belize several times and I have to say thats where we want to retire! We are divers, so the shore diving is incredible in Bonaire, as I'm sure the snorkling is too. Belize is....less touristy? And if possible...more relaxed? Belize motto "No shoes, no shirt...no problem" Took off my shoes on the plane ride in and didnt put them back on till the plane ride out. The reef system is unreal, with the biggest, brightest coral and fishes that I've ever seen...huge even. They have alot of places to go to shorkle, like Shark/Ray alley, something NO fish lover should miss (my 13 year old daughter DID get "kissed" by a ray, but she got over it) If you go, save a day to get to the jungle....its worth it! Rent a jeep or truck. The dollar is 2:1, and food is fresh and cheap!
OK. having said all that, there is still NOTHING like pulling over, gearing up, and diving in whenever we want,wherever we want, for as long as we want...Bonaire has spoiled me forever!

On our trip to Belize a couple of years ago (before we discovered Bonaire), we didn't find any snorkeling that didn't require a boat ride, some a considerable distance. Nice snorkeling, but it also got expensive for the two of us. We did see some neat stuff (even a seahorse that our snorkel guide found for us --- but that was 45 minute boat ride from Placencia out to a small caye).

I agree Shark/Ray Alley is great fun, and we really enjoyed it.

We stayed on Ambergris Caye and also in Placencia, and took a boat trip to Caye Calker (which was much less "touristy" than Ambergris). Saying that, nothing is really touristy. We also spent about 5 days in the interior, and that was very nice also.

We enjoyed Belize a lot, and enjoyed walking around Ambergris (only vehicles were golf carts, except for a (very) occasional delivery vehicle, walking on the beach. However, once we found Bonaire we too were spoiled by the easy access to good snorkeling (even after Lenny).

An interesting link..

http://www.nhm.ac.uk/botany/lascuevas/index.html

I stayed for a week at Captain Morgan's on Ambergris Caye in 1999 and enjoyd the diving very much. The snorkeling is usually a $25 boat dive and only 3-4 places to snorkle. Calling Ambergris Caye touristy is a matter of comparison. It's pretty quiet once you get outside of town. The tallest building was only 3 stories tall, maybe that has changed? The people are wonderful.

Thanks folks, really appreciate the input. Sounds like it is a fabulous place that could get a bit pricy with three grandchildren ages 6 - 12 (since there might not be a lot of good off shore snorkelling)
Thanks again. Joyce

Joyce, I came in late on this thread. I did a trip to Belize in March, great place. The place I stayed was out on the atolls close to the reef. They ran snorkle boats twice a day and you could snorkle off the far end on the island in the channel to the reef. My trip report is at Belize Trip.

Cecil, loved your trip report and photos.
Thanks, Joyce

Cecil, I really enjoyed your Belize trip report.. looks so nice...

I also love the picture of your home, just like a Christmas card.. I love the snow.. S

Thanks, I always happy when the pages get read, they're alot of work to put together.