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 Phase
1 underway. Contributed by the Placencia Mooring Masters
Placencia Mooring Masters has been awarded the grant from Coral Reef
Alliance & WWF for the project to install buoys in the greater Placencia
waters. Mooring buoys protect the reef by being an alternative anchorage
system to dropping anchor, which damages fragile corals. Before any
installations can occur site surveys have to be carried out to determine
site suitability and equipment requirements for each proposed mooring
site.
Each site is assessed by probing the substrate (bottom) with a steel
rod. Notes are made regarding substrate type, the depth from sea surface
to substrate surface, site coordinates and any unusual or special
features at the site i.e. coral types. There are three main types of
mooring anchor pins designed for
securing buoy installations to different substrate compositions. They
are Helix Screw anchor pin, which is used for sand substrate, Mooring
eye or u-bolt anchor pin used with special underwater cement for
limestone substrate and manta anchor pin – these come with three
different anchor ends for mud, sand & limestone substrates. (crew
underwater photos by Lisa)
Following canvassing dive operators, captains and dive masters on the
peninsula a list of popular dive & snorkel site locations was complied.
Over a 2 week period three site surveys were carried out to access as
many sites as possible. The crews were all volunteer dive masters,
captains and specialists from our community. None of the surveys would
have been possible if not for the support and generosity made by local
marine recreation tour operators.
PMM would like to extend special thanks to the following operators and
people: Joy Tours who provided “Baby Marley” the boat used for first two
site surveys. Eworth Garbutt who provided “Ambitious” the boat used for
the third survey. South Belize Reef & Jungle for 20 dive tanks for the
first site survey.
Splash Dive Shop and Seahorse Dive Shop, who each supplied 20 dive
tanks, for the second and third site surveys. TMM charters for supplying
boat fuel and food supplies for all three surveys. Mara Mayen, Marion
and Patti for preparing food for the crews. Finally, if not for the
following volunteers who made up the different crews we wouldn’t have
been able to survey 24 possible mooring locations and be closer to
making the project a success.
Third Survey crew: Specialists Erwin Westby – mooring installation
specialist and Lisa Carne – consultant marine biologist. Dive masters –
Chris Lewis, Patti Ramirez. Boat captain - Randy Tucker. Also, tourist
Anna Stumf who came along as guest observer. (picture of crew 21st Oct)
Having now completed most of the site surveys we are in position to
purchase the equipment needed to install the buoys. Look out for the
next issue of the Placencia Breeze for updates with the project. The
following website has page devoted to this project please check it out
for more photos and news
www.splashbelize.com/bouyproject.aspx
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In recent years visitors to Belize have
rated the "marine attractions" as the primary reason for coming to
Belize. With an unrivalled barrier reef in this hemisphere the marine
attractions are as varied as the natural formations that make up this
176 ml. coastal treasure. Divers and snorkelers can experience the
barrier reef, coral atolls, fringing reef, patch reefs and faroe, each
offering differing underwater coral formations and a variety of flora,
fish and marine creatures.
The dive sites are varied and most dive shops have their "special spots"
that they prefer. Some of the more popular spots include:
DIVE SITES
The Belize Barrier Reef
Spanning Belize's coastline for 185 miles is the Belize Barrier Reef
with dive sites inside and outside of the reef. Just outside look for
Spur and Grove formations - narrow canyons of corals are great for
spotting grouper and the occasionally eel.
Inside the reef, patch reefs are covered with hundreds of brightly
colored fish and coral species.
For something a little different, try snorkeling or diving near a
mangrove colored island "the nursery of the sea" where you are sure to
find tiny barracuda, snapper and other fish whose parents you might have
seen in deeper water.
Northern Belize
Mata Rocks
Hol Chan - Belize's first marine reserve where the fish are huge and
quite adapted to human presence.
The Wall
Shark Ray Alley
Stingray Flats
Central Belize
Goff's Caye
Rendevous Caye
Southern Belize
Tobacco Caye - great spur and grove formations just east of the island.
South Water Caye Marine Reserve - Belize's largest marine reserve.
Silk Cayes - home to the world's largest population of whale sharks
during the months of February to May.
Gladden Spit
Laughingbird Caye - Belize's smallest marine reserve.
Sapodilla Cayes
Coral Atolls
Belize boasts three offshore atolls: Turneffe, Glover's Reef and
Lighthouse Reef. Together they easily provide over a hundred dive and
snorkeling sites for the adventurous visitor.
a. Turneffe Atoll, the largest of three atolls found in Belize,
is 30 miles long. The water dept measures between 55 and 65 feet.
Some dive sites in this atoll are Hollywood, Jill's Thrill, Cabbage
Patch, the Elbow, The Coral, Gorgonian Bluff, the Secret Spot, Birthday
Reef and Rendezvous Wall.
Snorkeling areas are Bat Brook Shallows and Billy Bob's Shallows.
b. Glover's Reef, which is most south of the three, is often
overlooked. It has a diameter of some 40 miles with over 700 shallow
patch reefs in its interior.
Diving sites include Octopus Alley, Manta Reef, Hole in the Wall,
Parrotfish Falls, Shark Point, Gorgonia Gallery, Long Caye Cut, Turtle
Tavern and Dolphin Dance.
With the numerous patch reefs this is a great place for snorkeling as
well.
c. Lighthouse Reef is the farthest from the mainland but unlike
Glover's Reef gets plenty of visitors. Depth near the reef is around 9
feet.
The great Blue Hole at the center of Lighthouse Reef is described as one
of the best dive sites on Earth and a must for all advanced divers. It
has a dept of 480 feet with stalactites at 130 feet. Other diving sites
are Manta Wall, the Zoo, Cathedral and Half Moon Wall. The waters off
Hat Caye are great for snorkeling.
Wreck Diving
Belize provides few wreck dive opportunities because many wrecked ships
actually lodged atop the reef system above water. There is also little
chance of finding valuables. Anything you find of value belongs to the
state and cannot be kept. A couple underwater wrecks are:
Sayonara in Turneffe Atoll - This was a transport boat sitting at 45
feet below the surface.
HMS Advice - Turneffe Atoll - This is the wreck of a British naval
cutter which sunk to 16 feet on June 1, 1793.
Protected Areas -
The Belize Barrier Reef
Bacalar Chico National Park and Marine Reserve
Hol Chan Marine Reserve
Blue Hole National Park
Half Moon Caye
Glover's Reef
South Water Caye Marine Reserve
Laughing Bird Caye
Sapodilla Caye
Port Honduras
These sites also make for great snorkeling and diving areas.
Accessibility
The coral reef systems of Belize are easily accessible to everyone. It
is, however, advisable that you use the assistance of a trained tour
guide, dive instructor or dive master and boat captain for best
navigation.
Those wanting to venture out on snorkeling or diving trips have the
following choices or a combination to meet specific needs:
Join a tour to specific dive sites for the day
Make reservations at a mainland or offshore dive resort of your choice
Spend your vacation on one of the many live aboard dive boats which dock
at many dive sites throughout Belize.
Hire a charter boat from one of the many dive operators for private
tours.
Water Conditions
Water Temperature - Water temperature usually remains constant
around 70 to 75 degrees F. Higher temperatures are 80 degrees F.
Tides - Not usually a factor for dives because the range
is small at 1 to 11/2 feet except in extreme conditions of tropical
storms.
Winds - Northeast wind can produce huge swells which can
make diving difficult on exposed shores in the north but this is usually
steady at 5 to 15 knots.
Waves - Wave action minimal inside the reef or on the
unexposed side of atolls.
Visibility - Maximum visibility of 165 feet or 50 meters.
In case of storms the visibility reduced to 65 to 100 feet or 20 to 30
meters.
Dive Courses
Various levels of dive courses include discover scuba programs,
refresher courses, open water and advance open water courses.
Certification is available for PADI, NAUII and in some areas NITROX
diving.
Whether for the first time diver or the experienced diver; diving here
will be a great experience. If:
you are already certified, be sure to bring your C card;
you want to do your open water certification, be sure to bring the
paperwork from your previous training;
you want to be fully certified and have about a week, be prepared to
read your manuals and do classes daily;
you've never dove before and want to see what it's like ask about a
Resort Course which will teach you to use the equipment in safe and
supervised depths of no more than 20-30 feet.
Equipment
Most dive shops have all the gear you need but you can expect equipment
rental to average for:
Mask, snorkel and fins: US$6- $8
Regulator and BC: $approx. $7.50 each
If you wear glasses or have prescription lens in you mask, be sure to
bring a mask with your prescription before leaving home as this service
is not currently available in Belize.
In Case of Emergency
In case of dive emergencies, San Pedro, Ambergris Caye has a Hyperbaric
Chamber which is accessible to dive operators 24 hours a day. A $1US per
tank insurance fee is charged by most dive shops to cover the use of the
chamber in the event of such an emergency. The medical staff has over 15
years experience.
Hyperbaric Chamber Contact Information
San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye
Tel: 011-501-226-2851
Fax: 011-501-226-2852
Dive Course instructors are required to be certified dive instructors or
dive masters before teaching dive classes. Many resorts have PADI
certified instructors.
To get the most from your dive vacation, especially if you will be
diving 2-3 times per day it will help to be in good physical condition.
Alcohol and diving don't mix so be sure to limit alcoholic intake the
night before and the day of diving.
Bring your own snorkel and diving equipment for a perfect fit. However,
dive shops will rent mask, snorkel, and fins averaging $5-$15/day.
Ask about the experience of your tour guide or qualification of your
dive instructor before any commitments.
Bring along a waterproof camera and lots of film. Underwater photography
will be a must.
Divers
Lightweight lycra dive suits or nylon "skins" work fine. They keep you
warm on a night dive but for most dives, a swimsuit is adequate. If you
need more insulation 1/16 inch suits should be the most you should need.
Don't leave home without your dive certification card if you have one.
Snorkelers
There are thousands of snorkeling sites of varying depths. If you've
never snorkeled before it is a good idea to try your equipment in water
you can stand in first. If you're uncomfortable, try using a life jacket
for added assurance. Just remember to breathe steadily through your
mouth - once you get a glimpse of what lies beneath the waves it'll come
naturally.
Information found at www.travelbelize.org - Official website of the
Belize Tourism Board.
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Bank and Cadet Henderson and Bill Cuevas from Ministry of Works held a
meeting with citizens of the Placencia Peninsula
about the Placencia Road project. The CDB
representatives were here on the peninsula to assess the feasibility of
the proposed road and to see if residents of the peninsula were even
interested in having the road paved.