| Many and varied are the pleasures, sights, joys | | | | and diving are currently available. |
| and natural wonders of scuba diving in Central | | | | Belize |
| America. Central American diving sites have been | | | | Beautiful Belize may exceed all other diving |
| listed in the book Fifty Places to Dive Before You | | | | destinations for many reasons. One has been |
| Die by Chris Santella (Abrams, 2008). Top diving | | | | mentioned before - the official language is English. |
| locations (with dozens of separate diving sites) | | | | The other was made famous in 1970 by Jacques |
| are probably Cocos Island and the Bay Islands. | | | | Cousteau and the Calypso - the Great Blue Hole. |
| The abundance and variety of the underwater | | | | The Hole is said to be just one hour away from |
| wildlife is astounding - from dolphins to whale | | | | the Bay Islands. The Hole's dimensions have been |
| sharks. If your diving certification is outdated - or | | | | given anywhere from 479 ft. to 500 ft. wide by |
| even if you are a rookie - you may obtain training | | | | 1000 ft. to 1300 ft. deep. A couple of things about |
| at relatively low costs. The visitor may need to | | | | the Hole are certain - it is a perfectly round hole |
| schedule a week's stay to any of these locales. | | | | formed during a previous Ice Age and is for |
| Honduras | | | | experienced divers only as it is really a form of |
| Honduras is the location of the famous world | | | | cave diving. |
| focus for scuba divers - the Bay Islands. The | | | | Most experienced divers are aware, however, |
| largest of these is Roatan. Accommodations are | | | | that light begins to fade drastically at a depth of |
| available here and about and at relatively low cost. | | | | 133 feet. Also, stalactites are present in areas of |
| There are also dive centers and training facilities | | | | the Hole and these are irreplaceable. To break one |
| here. Beautiful Roatan is a protected marine | | | | off, even by accident, means that it will never be |
| preserve with some 40 diving sites. The most | | | | replaced! |
| famous of these is the Belize Barrier Reef (also | | | | Training |
| accessible in Belize, below) - the second largest in | | | | PADI(Professional Association of Diving |
| the world. Complete with crystal clear waters and | | | | Instructors) Training is available on Utila. Many |
| a great and stunning variety of marine life. One | | | | other dive operators also offer training and |
| other important island, Utila, is discussed below. | | | | certification in the region. Prices may range from |
| Costa Rica | | | | $100 to $300. Certifications in the Bay Islands are |
| Costa Rica is home to beautiful and uninhabited | | | | said to be $229. |
| Cocos Island - which is also a UNESCO World | | | | Whale Sharks |
| Heritage Site. The island is accessible from Punta | | | | Besides offering diving certification, Utila also hosts |
| Arenas or San Jose. This island has been listed by | | | | one of the few Whale Shark and Research |
| Santella in his book (above). However, Cocos | | | | Centers in the world. A diving trip with a group of |
| Island is for the experienced diver as it lies 300 | | | | 5 of more (usually snorkeling) with the Whale |
| miles offshore (36 hours by boat!) and offers | | | | Sharks may be arranged March to May and in |
| some challenging and difficult dives. The scuba | | | | August to October. You may also get a chance |
| diver should plan their visit between May and | | | | to view this magnificent animal in Costa Rica at |
| October. Only two options for live-aboard shelter | | | | Playas del Coco. |