Caye Caulker vrs. Ambergris Caye

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cmneus
cmneus

Hello, I will be in that area over Christmas for about a week, flying into Cancun and taking a bus down to Chetumal and the water taxi. I want to dive Turneffe, Lighthouse Reef, Half Moon Caye and the Blue Hole so most of the diving will be on day trips away from the island. I found a dive op that does all these at good prices on Caye Caulker called Frenchie's but was wondering if Ambergris Caye was worth a few days as well. I believe it is farther from the places I listed above so maybe I would just stay there as well for two days on my return to Mexico.
Can you compare the two places? Is the diving around Ambergris Caye worth a few days? Am I making the right choice spending the majority of my time on Caye Caulker? I do not party and just want beauty, idyllic surroundings and a small town vibe.
Also, any info on how busy it is there during the holiday would be nice.

Thanks in advance!

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hopefulist
hopefulist

I would stick with 1 island, especially because you'll save money and increase your chances of hitting all/most of the spots you want to dive if you go with 1 shop. We spent the last week of our most recent visit (last March) on Caulker and I chose to dive with Belize Diving Services; I was really pleased with them. They have a nice, big boat which makes those long days much more comfortable. There's a nice cost break if you book a 10 dive package ahead of time; that means actually picking which days you want to do which dives based on their posted schedule; here. Do note that you must have advanced certification and at least 25 dives recorded in order to do the full Blue Hole experience.

Have a great trip, whatever you decide. My photos with blog, travelogue, and review links on the main page of each collection are below in case you'd like to check them out.
Happy trails!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/staceyholeman/collections

PS Best to book soon - best value accommodations and popular dives can book up over the holidays.

Edited by hopefulist
My photos w/ blog & travelogue links on the main page of each collection: http://www.flickr.com/photos/staceyholeman/collections
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cmneus
cmneus
In response to #1

Thank you so much! I will check out Belize Diving Services. I have read many other good reviews about them as well but haven't yet looked. Comfy boats are important when the dive sites are several hours away.
Thanks again for your reply, I will be sure to look at your links!

I would stick with 1 island, especially because you'll save money and increase your chances of hitting all/most of the spots you want to dive if you go with 1 shop. We spent the last week of our most recent visit (last March) on Caulker and I chose to dive with Belize Diving Services; I was really pleased with them. They have a nice, big boat which makes those long days much more comfortable. There's a nice cost break if you book a 10 dive package ahead of time; that means actually picking which days you want to do which dives based on their posted schedule; here. Do note that you must have advanced certification and at least 25 dives recorded in order to do the full Blue Hole experience.

Have a great trip, whatever you decide. My photos with blog, travelogue, and review links on the main page of each collection are below in case you'd like to check them out.
Happy trails!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/staceyholeman/collections

PS Best to book soon - best value accommodations and popular dives can book up over the holidays.

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cmneus
cmneus
In response to #1

Oh, I just looked at your flickr page, I was in Roatan in May! It was stunning wasn't it!?!?!?! I love your photos of Hole in the Wall.....
And guess what..........I stayed at Posada Arco Iris TOO!!!!!!!!!! I dove with Reef Gliders and Native Sons.......amaaaazing trip wasn't it?

I would stick with 1 island, especially because you'll save money and increase your chances of hitting all/most of the spots you want to dive if you go with 1 shop. We spent the last week of our most recent visit (last March) on Caulker and I chose to dive with Belize Diving Services; I was really pleased with them. They have a nice, big boat which makes those long days much more comfortable. There's a nice cost break if you book a 10 dive package ahead of time; that means actually picking which days you want to do which dives based on their posted schedule; here. Do note that you must have advanced certification and at least 25 dives recorded in order to do the full Blue Hole experience.

Have a great trip, whatever you decide. My photos with blog, travelogue, and review links on the main page of each collection are below in case you'd like to check them out.
Happy trails!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/staceyholeman/collections

PS Best to book soon - best value accommodations and popular dives can book up over the holidays.

Edited by cmneus
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hopefulist
hopefulist

Yeah - we had a really nice time on Roatán; we've visited several other times but this was our 1st time staying in West End. I dove with Scuba Roatán and they were awesome, highly recommended.

My photos w/ blog & travelogue links on the main page of each collection: http://www.flickr.com/photos/staceyholeman/collections
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katzgar
katzgar

Look at the two on gmaps and you tube. there are some good dive sites around AC that can be done as day trips from CC. AC does have a town on it and has more upscale food and acommodations along with back packer type places. CC is much smaller back packer type place with pretty much no beaches.

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breezer123
breezer123

Definitely Caye Caulker unless you have money to waste on a tourist trap!

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cmneus
cmneus

Thank you everyone.....my mind is made up. Caye Caulker for Xmas! Now to find a place with availability! :)

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katzgar
katzgar

AC is hardly a tourist trap as you can see from you tube. its actually a fishing village.

Edited by Cosima, removed personal comment.
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hopefulist
hopefulist

Jajaja - here we go again with the "which is better, CC or AC?" posturing. The OP has made up his/her mind, time to let it drop imo.

My photos w/ blog & travelogue links on the main page of each collection: http://www.flickr.com/photos/staceyholeman/collections
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