belize whale shark diving

1 www.symphonytravel.com 1-800-719-3927 [email protected]


BELIZE DIVE MAP


CONTENTS

Dive Package............................................................................... 5

Whale Shark Diving ...................................................................... 7

Reef Diving ................................................................................. 9

Splash Dive Center ..................................................................... 17

Chabil Mar Resort ....................................................................... 23

Placencia .................................................................................. 25

Belize ....................................................................................... 27

Company Profiles ....................................................................... 28


DIVE PACKAGE

2011 Whale Shark Diving

May 14th

– 21st

, 2011

7 Night Group Packages From $2500 / Person

Package Includes:

3 Days Whale Shark Diving – 6 Dives at Gladden Spit

2 Days Barrier Reef Diving – 3 Dives at Glover‟s Reef and 3 Dives at South Water Caye

1 Full Day Inland Tour – Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary & Jaguar Preserve

7 Nights Chabil Mar Resort

Welcome Cocktail Party

Daily Breakfast

Lunch Included on all Dive & Tour Days

1 Group Dinner

Round Trip Air to Placencia from Belize City

Round Trip Hotel Transfers

Tanks, Weights, Entrance Fees, & Taxes

May Choose Different Dates Based on Availability

Pricing Per Person

$2850 – 1 Bedroom Double Occupancy- Couple Sharing 1 Bedroom- Partial Sea View

* Upgrade to Sea Front for $120 per Night

$3250 – 2 Bedroom Double Occupancy - 2 People Sharing 2 Bedroom- Partial Sea View


$2850 – 2 Bedroom Triple Occupancy- 3 People Sharing 2 Bedroom with Loft/Sofa Bed- Sea View


$2500 – 2 Bedroom Quad Occupancy- 4 People Sharing 2 Bedroom with Loft/Sofa Bed- Sea View


Payments

$750 Non-Refundable Deposit

Final Payment Due 75 Days Prior to Travel

Visa and MasterCard Accepted

Not Included:

International Airfare

Travel Insurance

Meals Not Listed Above

Tips for Tour Guides

Non-Diver Price Quoted Upon Request

2011 Whale Shark Diving

Best Dive Days

March 16th - March 26th

April 15th - April 25th

May 14th - May 24th

June 13th - June 23rd


WHALE SHARK DIVING

Belize is famous for many scuba diving activities, the coral reefs and aquatic life of the Barrier reef, the

famous Blue Hole, and also the gentle giant Whale sharks. There‟s no other resort destination in the

whole of Belize that can offer you access to all these scuba sites in one comfortable dive package except

for Placencia. Splash Dive Center based in Placencia in Southern Belize, is able to offer the perfect and

most comprehensive diving itinerary in Belize and the Caribbean.

When you take your scuba diving package and vacation in Placencia, you‟ll never be more than a short

boat ride from beautiful coral reefs, an abundance of aquatic life, the famous Blue Hole of Belize, and

Gladden Spit, home to the Whale sharks of the Western Caribbean.

For those divers who visit Placencia outside of peak Whale shark season, you can still learn about these

gentle giants through Splash Dive Center‟s PADI Whale shark specialty, in-house Whale shark seminars,

and through local research projects.

Gladden Spit

Location: 26 nautical miles east of Placencia

Depth: 80 Feet/24mt

Access: One hour and thirty minute boat ride from Placencia

Expertise Rating: Advanced

The Gladden Spit and Silk Cayes Marine Reserve located near Placencia in Southern Belize, is a

spawning aggregation site for many different tropical fish species including the cubera, mutton and dog

snappers which produce tons of spawn. This spawning occurs around the full moon to last quarter during

the months of March to June. This is what attracts the Whale Shark to the Gladden spit.

Whale sharks are the biggest fish in the ocean growing up to lengths of 60 feet/18mt. Divers and

snorkelers get a rare opportunity to swim along with this magnificent creature. The wall here slopes down

to 160 feet/50mt then drops off into the blue abyss. Diving is done in mid water at a depth no deeper than

80 feet/24mt in groups no larger than 12 divers with their dive masters.

Special procedures are followed on this dive to ensure safety and to limit any harm that may be caused to

the sharks. Snorkeling is done on the surface in open water, however snorkelers have an excellent

chance of seeing the whale sharks as they come to the surface to feed.


REEF DIVING

Glover’s Reef

Glovers Reef is the southernmost of three atolls off Belize‟s coast. The southern part of Glovers is approximately 30 nautical miles from Placencia, a journey which takes a little more than an hour and a half. The ride is certainly worth every minute as some of the best scuba diving in the Western Caribbean can be found here and the conditions here make for some of the best fun dive trips we offer. Glovers Atoll is an oval shaped reef system 15 miles long by 4 miles wide. Five islands lie on the eastern side where most of the diving is done. These islands are mostly private with small diving and fishing resorts. The pristine waters with unique coral formations and tons of marine life makes Glovers reef a popular spot for divers wanting to see the best Belize has to offer. Glovers is one of UNESCO‟s world heritage sites and a marine reserve with designated no take and conservation zones.

The Aquarium

Location: East of Middle CayeDepth: 30-100 feet/10-30mt Access: Boat ride is 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes from Placencia. Expertise rating: Intermediate

With crystal clear water and all the marine life to be seen here, this site is like diving in an aquarium. To ensure we see the most activity, we dive this site early in the morning or later in the afternoon. This site is famous for large schools of yellowtail snappers and creole wrasse either out in mid-water or cruising along the wall in and around cleaning stations. Schools of horse eye jacks and black durgons can also be seen playing on the edge of the wall. Dolphins and turtles are common sightings at this site.

Off The Wall

Location: East of Southwest Caye Depth: 25-100 feet/8-30mt Access: Boat Expertise rating: Intermediate

This wall starts at 25 feet/8mt then drops steep 6000 feet/1800mt into the Barlet deep, the deepest trench in the Caribbean. Because of the usual mild current and wave action, this site is always full of marine life feeding on organisms brought by the currents. Visibility at this site is usually more than 100 feet/30mt making this a spectacular dive. Critters here include Nassau groupers, lobsters, eagle rays and several species of huge snappers. Occasionally in the months of December to February giant manta rays can be seen gliding close to the surface.


REEF DIVING

Manta Wall

Location: South of Southwest Caye Depth: 35-90 feet/11-27mt Access: Boat Expertise rating: Intermediate

This site got its name from the island resort closest to this area. The dive starts in a sandy area then heads south to a massive wall of stony corals. Great star corals, boulder star and mound corals create unique swim troughs and also shelter nurse sharks and huge groupers. Smaller tropical reef fish can be found here in abundance. Queen conch, trumpet conch and the king helmet conch can be found either crawling or buried in the sandy areas around this site.

Pinnacles

Location: South west corner of Glovers Atoll Depth: 25-100 feet/8-30mt Access: Boat Expertise rating: Intermediate

The pinnacle is an interesting dive site that has lots to offer divers looking for a change from walls and canyon type formations. Huge pinnacles that starts at 100 feet/30mt rise up to around 25 feet/8mt below the surface. Lots of sponges, plate corals and beautiful gorgonians can be found on each pinnacle. In between the pinnacles are deep sand channels where hog snappers and schoolmasters can be found. Pelagic species such as reef sharks, mackerel, tarpons, and barracudas can be seen here. This dive is done swimming around and even through a few of the pinnacles.

South Water Caye

South Water Caye is another Belize Marine Reserve on the barrier reef protecting the marine and reef

environments which makes for some excellent diving. Outer reef dive sites at South Water Caye include a

myriad of interesting walls and canyons with spur and grove formations and very healthy corals. The outer reef

walls are one of the best places to see spotted eagle rays.

There are many dive sites at South Water Caye with Rosella‟s Garden, Trick Ridge, Long Reef , and the

Abyss being among the most popular ones. Also the Shark Hole dive site which is about 20 minutes away.

Attractions include spotted eagle and southern stingrays and nurse sharks in the sandy bottom, spiny lobsters,

huge spider crabs, spotted eels, turtles, schools of tarpons and a wide variety of smaller tropical reef fish

thriving around healthy corals.

South Water Caye has unique formation of corals big barrel sponges with cleaning stations where huge

barracudas and groupers visit resident cleaner shrimps. Also to be seen here are colorful tube and vase

sponges that attracts many juvenile spotted drums.

South Water Caye is 24 nautical miles north-east of Placencia. The boat ride takes about 1 hour and a half.

Due to the time, distance and attractions, this destination is often done as a three tank dive and may include

the intriguing Shark Hole dive site. These dives are suitable for beginner to advanced level scuba divers.


REEF DIVING

Rosella's Garden

Location: 0.2 nautical miles east of South Water Caye

Depth: 40-60 feet

Access: Boat

Expertise rating: Novice

This site got its name from a long time resident of South Water Caye and is just a minute away from the island.

It is perfect for a second dive. There is plenty to see diving between the two reef structures at depths ranging

from 45-60 feet/14-18mt. Sightings here could include southern stingrays and nurse sharks in the sandy

bottom, spotted eagle rays, turtles, schools of tarpons and a wide variety of smaller tropical reef fish thriving

around healthy corals.

Trick Ridge

Location: 0.2 nautical miles East of Carrie Bow Caye

Depth: 40-100 feet/12-30mt

Access: Boat

Expertise rating: Intermediate

This site has a unique formation of corals that go deep and then shallow. It is important to monitor your depth

gauge and follow your dive master. The ridge here has some big barrel sponges with cleaning stations where

huge barracudas and groupers visit resident cleaner shrimps. Also to be seen here are colorful tube and vase

sponges that attracts many juvenile spotted drums.

Long Reef

Location: two nautical miles south of Southwater Caye


Access: Boat


The wall here starts at 45 feet/12mt and drops to a little over 100 feet/30mt. It then goes east a few feet before

it drops into the blue. The dive is usually done in the 60 foot/18mt depth range where little crevices can be

seen along the wall. This is a perfect hiding spot for spiny lobsters, huge spider crabs, and spotted eels. Eagle

rays and turtles are quite common at this site and our resort divers and photographers rate this site as one of

their favourites.


REEF DIVING

The Abyss/ Fourth Cut

Location: 2.8 nautical miles southeast of SouthWater Caye


Access: Boat


This is probably one of the most impressive walls in all of southern Belize. From about 40 feet/12mt a sheer

wall drops into the blue abyss. Many overhangs can be seen with beautiful black corals and several species of

gorgonians. The visibility at these reefs often exceeds 100 feet/30mt. It is important to monitor your depth

gauge as the dips in some areas are deeper than they appear. Critters here can include eagle rays, turtles,

lobsters, nurse sharks, and schools of blue wrasse in mid water.

Shark Hole

Location: Four nautical miles northwest of Tobacco Caye, thirty-two nautical miles from Placencia


Access: Boat

Expertise rating: Advance

The Shark Hole is a sinkhole in about 30ft/10mt of water just inside the main barrier reef north of the Tobacco

Range of islands. The hole was found by fishermen exploring and hunting permits and tarpon for sport fishing.

These two fishes in large schools can be seen hanging out at the entrance of the hole. This is probably what

attracts the several species of sharks that can be seen in and around the hole. Shark species that have been

seen includes bull sharks, lemon sharks, reef sharks and nurse sharks. Other species that can be seen here

includes schools of horse-eye jacks, snappers and cobia. After entering the hole at 30ft/10mt, a dive light is

necessary as the upper portions of the cave becomes dark as well as the need to monitor your depth and air

gauge. The dive master will also be better able to keep track of his divers. Spotting around increases your

chance of seeing sharks swimming around or resting in the crevices. A ray of light can always be seen shining

down on a sand mound through the opening of the cave. This dive is a good opportunity for the cavern diver

adventure dive. Because of the distance to this dive site, this dive is usually done as part of a three tank dive

and makes for an exhilarating scuba dive day trip. **Please Note there is an additional charge for the Shark

Hole.


SPLASH DIVE CENTER

The Splash Team

Patty Ramirez and Ralph Capeling are committed to establishing Splash Dive

Center as the best dive center in Belize. As owners of Splash Dive Center

they want to ensure that our customers have a memorable experience in

Belize and that our customers become ambassadors for Placencia, Belize

and Splash Dive Center. They are here because of the beauty of Belize both

on land and in the sea and are committed to protecting this very special

environment on land and underwater. They form an innovative management

team open to environmentally friendly ideas that focus on generating

employment with a strong emphasis in valuing local labor and skill, continuous support of staff training and

programs geared towards community development and education. Through the past 12 years that Patty has

lived in Placencia she has become very acquainted with this small community that has led her to put together

a great environmentally conscious team. Splash staff and guides are all licensed Tour Guides by the Belize

Tourism Board. We invite to you to get to know a bit of ourselves and to venture with us into some serious fun

underwater and topside.

Facility & Equipment

Splash Dive Center is an accredited PADI Dive Center and is fully equipped with up to date

scuba and snorkel equipment. We maintain our equipment to ensure it is in first class condition

and with our state of the art air compressor and routine air quality checks as per PADI

standards, there is no need to worry about bad air. Splash is also the only dive facility on the

peninsula with personnel certified for visual inspection of its dive tanks.

Splash Dive Center has one of the best stocked and well maintained sets of equipment and

scuba tanks in the region. There are 15 sets of scuba diving equipment, from Scubapro and with a full service

technician on staff it is always in good condition. Our compressor provides high quality breathing air that is

analysed for CGA grade E standards every quarter. We have 3 dive boats that are comfortable, well

maintained, with VHF radios, emergency O2 on board, life jackets, and a licensed crew.

Our dive staff is registered with the Belizean Tour Operators association, and our Divemasters and Instructors

have a lifetime of knowledge of the Placencia reefs and environment, and we place your dive experience,

education, and enjoyment at the forefront of our customer service.

We are located on the beach at the south end of the main road in Placencia where we have our rental and

booking office, classroom and equipment room. Our new Dive Center and retail store at the Peninsular Club at

the north end of Placencia is under construction and should open in late 2010. This facility, located on a new

marina, will contain a full line of new and used scuba and snorkel equipment and PADI materials.


SPLASH DIVE CENTER

Splash Dive Center Boats

All Splash Dive Centers boats are designed to give our snorkelers and scuba divers the highest standards of

comfort on their boat rides to the dive sites around Placencia, such as Gladden Spit and Belizes barrier reef.

Even when we are taking scuba diving trips to dive sites further North in Belize such as the Blue Hole or

Glovers Reef, the trips are comfortable and all passengers have protection from the elements. All boats are

equipped with VHF radios, navigation systems, running lights, life jackets and emergency oxygen. You‟ll find

our vessels meet the same standards as USCG day vessel requirements and PADI scuba diving resort

standards.

The Princess Ailsa

Princess Ailsa is a Belize built 38 foot Pelican dive boat. Her sharp

forward entry and a deep V offer a fast, sea-worthy and versatile boat

with the ability to tackle rough seas and reaching remote dive and island

destinations. Princess Ailsa is licensed to carry 30 passengers but we

normally limit the number of divers to 15 as part of Splash Dive Centers

commitment to comfort and customer service. She is powered by twin

250 HP Yamaha 4 stroke outboard engines. Equipped with a 240 gallon

fuel tank, VHF marine radio, compass, fish finder, navigation lights, 30

life jackets, first aid kit, emergency oxygen, anchor and anchor line, and

cushions, this boat is ready to take you to your destination and back in safety and comfort.

The Princess Pam Pam

Princess Pam Pam is a Belize built 38 foot Pelican custom dive boat

with a fly bridge and inboard engines. The Princess Pam Pam has a

semi-enclosed cabin that provides plenty of dry storage and an

opening step to the bow where the head is located. Princess Pam

Pam is licensed for 30 passengers but again we normally limit the

number of scuba divers to 15 as part of Splash Dive Centers

commitment to comfort and customer service. She has a dive

platform to the aft of the boat with an EZ fold dive ladder and hand

rails which makes entry and exits to dive sites easy and safe. She is

powered by twin 300 HP yanmar diesel engines and equipped with all the amenities for safety and comfort. A

fly-bridge allows the captain to navigate and follow the divers more easily also providing more space in the

cabin for divers entering and exiting the water before and after their fun dives.


SPLASH DIVE CENTER

The Princess Madison

Princess Madison is a Belize built custom 34 foot Luna dive boat powered by twin 200 hp Yamaha outboard

engines. Princess Madison is licensed to carry 25 passengers but we normally limit the number of divers to 12

for space, and comfort on boat rides to the Belize Barrier reef. She is equipped with a 140 gallon fuel tank,

VHF marine radio, compass, fish finder, navigation lights, 25 life jackets, first aid kit, emergency oxygen,

anchor and anchor line, and cushions, this boat is ready to take you to your destination and back in safety and

comfort. A licensed and experienced boat captain and crew that know and respect the sea are always on

board to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip.

Charter Boats

Our charter boats range in size from 23 to 45 feet. All boats are equipped with

VHF marine radios, compass, navigation lights, cushions, anchor, anchor line

and life jackets for each passenger. All our charter boats are licensed,

insured and registered with the Belize Port Authority.

All our boats have a licensed and experienced boat captain and crew that

know and respect the sea are always on board to ensure a safe and

enjoyable trip to the scuba dive and snorkeling sites around Placencia, and

Belizes barrier reef, and further trips to Glovers Reef and the Great Blue hole,

Belize. They must also meet the safety standards of Splash Dive Center and for PADI.

http://splashbelize.com/glovers-reef

http://splashbelize.com/blue-hole

http://splashbelize.com/blue-hole


CHABIL MAR RESORT

A Boutique Resort - Reserved for the Exclusive Pleasure of Our Guests

. . . And the Premier Luxury Resort Placencia Village Location

Fact of the Matter

Oceanfront - Chabil Mar (Mayan for “Beautiful Sea”) sits at the end of a 16 mile peninsula on what has been

described as one of the best beaches in Belize. As a small luxury resort we are uniquely positioned to offer

our guests a one-of-a-kind resort experience that others simply cannot match.

Boutique Resort - Each of our 22 villas has direct views of the Caribbean Sea, is individually decorated with

original art and features all the amenities of a luxury resort. Full kitchens, private verandas, wireless internet

and a host of other conveniences ensure our guests are well taken care of.

Exclusive - Chabil Mar Villas is a “Guest Exclusive” resort, the only one in Placencia. All amenities are for the

exclusive benefit of our guests.

Premier Location - As the closest full-service resort to the Village, enjoy easy beach walk, bicycle, kayak or

golf cart access to all the restaurants, art and culture of Belize, then effortlessly slip back to the peacefulness

of Chabil Mar.

Restaurant Café Mar - The first question our guests ask us about Café Mar is “Where is the dining room?”

The simple answer to that is, “you are standing in it”. We can say that with confidence no matter where you are

reading the menu, as Café Mar is designed to let you dine where you want to, and reserve a private dinner on

the pier, the most unique dining location in all of Placencia.


PLACENCIA

In southern Belize, at the end of a 16 mile peninsula sits the small seaside village of Placencia. Adding to the

charm of this traditional fishing village are the numerous eateries, beach bars, art galleries and shops along

with the spectacular, unspoiled and uncrowded crescent beach. Known locally as “Barefoot Perfect”,

Placencia is the only place on mainland Belize that has white sand beaches.

Recently, GQ magazine called Placencia “a quaint town that seems to have forgotten about mass tourism”.

And while it‟s easy to drift gently into the laid back atmosphere, adventure is always nearby. Like most ideal

destinations, location is paramount to a truly unique experience. And Placencia is no exception. Situated on

the mainland and located on the Caribbean Sea, Placencia is the doorway to Belize‟s most sought after

activities on land and sea.

Placencia – As Active as You Want to Be

The unique setting of Placencia provides the perfect blend of activities from flats and deep water fishing to

exploring Mayan archeological sites, from world-class diving and snorkeling to a one-of-a-kind 100,000+ acre

wildlife preserve – all from one central location.

Or, perhaps a more relaxed stay is in order. Then take a leisurely stroll down the Placencia sidewalk - once

called the world‟s narrowest main street. The sidewalk follows the curve of the beach where you‟ll find many

of the village‟s restaurants, art galleries, bakeries and shops. And the gently lapping waves of Placencia

beach are never far off, where it‟s easy to find a spot to sit back and enjoy the view.


BELIZE

Belize – Unspoiled and Easy

Located along the eastern coast of Central America on the Caribbean

Sea, Belize is a unique blend of pristine nature, diverse geography and

endless adventures.

Roughly the size of Massachusetts, this relatively small country (176 miles

long and 88 miles wide) boasts rain forest covered mountains, hundreds

of cayes (islands, pronounced keys) and the largest barrier reef in the

Western hemisphere. With over 40% of Belize‟s land mass enjoying

some level of „protected area‟ status, these diverse natural areas form the

basis of Belize‟s strong appeal.

It‟s no wonder, then, why Belize was part of the Mayan empire, and later

colonized by the British. Formerly known as British Honduras, Belize

became independent in 1981, however, it remains a part of the British

Commonwealth. It‟s these ties to Great Britain that make Belize an easy

destination for visitors to enjoy. English is the national language and Belizean currency is tied to the U.S.

dollar – exchanging at a steady 2-to-1 rate.

Belize – Activities and Adventures

Thriving rainforests, miles of uncrowded beaches, hundred of islands, and the world‟s second largest reef.

These set the stage for panoply of activities and adventures to engage every personality.

And with so much of the natural environment in a healthy state, creatures of land, air and sea flourish here.

Nearly 600 bird species, almost every species of fish and coral found in the Caribbean, over 4,000 species of

flowering plant, and the elusive Jaguar, among a host of land animals, can be found in Belize. With such

abundance, wildlife is the spotlight of many activities in Belize.

National parks and nature preserves are the best source of wildlife viewing. But wildlife isn‟t the only reason to

venture inland. Belize is home to twelve distinct Mayan ruins sites including Caracol, whose main temple

stands at 143 feet tall and remains the tallest manmade structure in Belize.

In distinct contrast to the rainforest is the massive barrier reef that extends the length of the country. Along

with the reef, hundreds of cayes (islands, pronounced keys) situated between the reef and mainland make

ideal habitats for the schools of colorful fish and coral that create world-class locations for diving and

snorkeling.


COMPANY SNAPSHOTS

Symphony Travel, established in 2006, specializes in

travel exclusively to Belize. We design custom

itineraries for adventure travel, nature exploration,

Maya archeology, honeymoons, destination

weddings, small groups, and upscale adult travel. We

strive to exceed your expectations by

providing unparalleled service in every aspect of

travel planning. Our itineraries will awaken your

senses and inspire to you to explore.

Splash Dive Center has been providing scuba diving,

snorkeling and adventure tours in Placencia in

Southern Belize since the year 2000. It has grown

from a small operation focusing on scuba instruction,

to a community driven PADI resort facility that

provides dive packages, instruction, and supports

environmental conservation and community projects.

Chabil Mar (Mayan for “Beautiful Sea”) sits at the end

of a 16 mile peninsula on what has been described

as one of the best beaches in Belize. This upscale

boutique resort offers 22 villas. The 1 and 2 bedroom

villas are available in both oceanview and oceanfront

locations. Each villa is individually decorated and

features all the amenities of a luxury resort. Full

kitchens, private verandas, wireless internet, and a

host of other conveniences ensure that guests are

well taken care of. As the closest full-service resort to

the Village, enjoy easy beach walk, bicycle, kayak or

golf cart access to all the restaurants, art, and culture

of Placencia and then effortlessly slip back to the

peacefulness of Chabil Mar


Call to Reserve Your Group Today

1-800-719-3927

belize whale shark diving

Documents

days whale shark diving

bedroom partial sea

dive tour days

days barrier reef diving

belize dive map3

bedroom triple occupancy

bedroom quad occupancy

loftsofa bed sea view