So what would you recommend? We can do a 2 tank boat dive with one of the cruise excursions. But it will take 5 hours for the trip and we would not get to see much of Belize City. Ive never been to Belize and obviously never dove there so not sure what would be better. I know most ports that cruise ships come into are geared towards tourists and getting souviners. I like to see something other than that. We will be there from 8am - 5pm and the excursion is from 8am to 1pm. Is that enough time to at least look around? My husband is working on his divemaster and then instructor. He fell in love with diving when he was in Curacao with the Air Force. We eventually want to operate or own a dive shop. Thanks, Jen

Hi Sharon, I didn't even realize that I was in this group. I guess its been pretty dead here. I would think that you are ok to dive if you have been released for other activities by your surgeon. I just this past weekend got my open water. I can't wait to do some real dives. We live in North Ga so not much is close but lakes. My DH and I are going on a cruise in September and one of the ports is Belize. Do you live there? Jen L.

Some of the nicest and most economical snorkeling and diving I have found is in Mexico. South of Cancun in the Riveria Maya - towns like Akumal and Tulum have very close reefs off the beach. We saw 4-6' sea turtles laying eggs on the beach and swimming in the water. We also saw rays and big parrotfish. There are also some local ecoparks with great inlets for snorkeling. There is also snorkeling in local cenotes or fresh water sinkholes filled with all sorts of fish you would find in your tropical fish aquarium....swordtails, guppies, etc. If you want an even more fantastic experience there is snorkeling with Whale Sharks in NE Mexico and trips can be planned with dive operators in Playa del Carmen (north of Akumal, and south of Cancun)

Where have you been that you can just snorkel from the beach and see amazing underwater life? I want to take my family somewhere. We went to the Cayman Islands a few years back and stayed at a condo on Seven Mile Beach and the snorkeling was AMAZING right from the beach. About 25 yds out there was a sunken ship and everything. We taught our son who was 5 at the time to swim and snorkel there and he LOVED it. I want to try somewhere different. Do you have any ideas on resorts or condos somewhere in the Carribean that this is possible? Thanks Becky

I wrote INAMED and they said the same thing but it's great to hear it from some actual divers as well. Thanks for the reply!