hgsf5P85hmbXkt15R-NASxE1KsY Today's News for White Sands Dive Shop at San Pedro Ambergris Caye Belize

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Belize Weather for February


Belize Weather for February
High on the list of Belize’s many charms is a very comfortable tropical climate with an average yearly temperature of 84° F (29°C). Costal sea breezes and Belize’s large tracts of jungle and rainforests provide cooling relief even in the hottest summer months while winters can be cool but never very cold. In short, the climate is pretty much near perfect.
Now we’re moving into the dry season, and February temperatures in Belize average between 70°F (21°C) and 80°F (27°C). Days are generally mild, and with the cooler nights it is a very pleasant time of year.

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

We pick up at these docks

Trip Advisers choice Hotels around San Pedro


Monday, January 23, 2012

Dolphins at Sandy Point

video


Shot on a dive yesterday by Juan Carlos

Thursday, January 19, 2012

New Snorkel Trip up North


White Sands Dive Shop has added a new day trip to the menu. Have a day snorkeling on the North end of the island and BBQ lunch on the beach . $105.usd p.p. minimum 4 persons .

Tranquility Tour
Snorkel in the Bacalar Chico
Marine Reserve North      
Where the reef meets the shore…
Reef Fishing/Snorkeling/Beach BBQ
Full Day $420 (105.pp min 4 people)
*Mask/snorkel/fins and Park Tickets not included.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Discover Scuba Diving The PADI way ( Resort Course)


The Jacksons dove The Belize Hol Chan Marine Reserve Today after a rehearsal in the Pool. The Jacksons get credit with PADI through the Discover SCUBA Diving program for their first dive towards PADI Certification.

Friday, January 6, 2012

Monday, December 26, 2011

Belize Weather for January



Belize Weather for January
 January in Belize features mild temperatures and varying amounts of rainfall. This is the beginning of the dry season - not too dry and not yet wet, and is a very popular month for visitors both inland and on the coast.
 January temperatures in Belize range from an average monthly low of 70°F (21°C) to a high of 80°F (27°C).

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Today's Newest Diver in the World

Jessy is an Elearner and Todays Newest Diver in the World

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Belize Weather for December

Belize Weather for December
 December usually arrives wet and leaves drier as the wet season begins to wind down. December temperatures in Belize fall to an average low of 71°F (22°C) with highs of 80°F (27°C) for a monthly average of around 75°F (24°C) – the perfect weather to enjoy a comfortable Christmas holiday, warm enough for swimming and with pleasantly cool evenings.

Yesterday at Hol Chan Marine Reserve

Friday, December 16, 2011

E-Learning, The hottest new way to learn to dive ever!

E-Learning to dive on line is a hot new program by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors. About the program PADI Staff Instructor Elbert Greer said,”
In my twenty years of experience certifying tourists for SCUBA Diving in Belize I’ve learned that the difficult part is not getting my students to jump into the warm, clear Caribbean water with a tank on their back, It’s getting them to read and study the manual or sit and watch a DVD in the classroom while they are distracted by being on vacation near that warm, clear Caribbean water.
Instructors call this book work and study part of the course Knowledge Development, and it’s the hardest part of my job.
With this new Knowledge Development online, student divers will have done this part of the course at home with me guiding then through as a instructor, wasting no time after arriving before they get to the warm, clear Caribbean part. E-Learning is not a short cut. In many ways it’s more thorough. Computer-based learning can result in increased retention and a stronger grasp of the subject matter, because many elements - like audio, video, quizzes and interaction - are combined to support learning.
Completing knowledge development online is different from using the open water book. The online knowledge development portion of the course is an enhanced version. What differs is that in addition to text and video content, the online version incorporates audio presentations, graphics and animations that clarify information as well as interactive assessments with me, your virtual instructor.
Student divers sign up for the course online at . Once a diver signs up, I receive an email notification that a new student diver has enrolled in the course. From that point I can interact with the student diver by phone, email or chats - depending upon individual preferences. This allows me to answer any student diver questions, provide local diving information, discuss dive equipment or what ever the student needs to feel comfortable, confident and prepared for their Belize diving experiences.
As student divers move through each section of the course, they show that they are meeting learning objectives by answering Quick Quiz questions throughout the section or the Knowledge Review at the end. To reinforce learning, the system provides the correct answer and further explanation or review. When they are ready, student divers take the quiz for that section and again receive prescriptive feedback for any questions they answer incorrectly. This way, student divers are required to achieve 100 percent mastery of the subject matter prior to moving on to the next section.
Student divers are linked to interactive tutorials and online versions of the RDP (those tables that tell you how deep and how long you can dive). I track the student diver progress and help them along the way as necessary. Students have access to an online version of the PADI Open Water Diver Manual for reference during and after training.
After Student divers have successfully completed all online knowledge development segments they receive a PADI eLearning record, that’s a document that states the independent study portion of the course is complete and my job is suddenly a whole lot easer.
Do I sound excited? Just imagine what you will feel like with that E-Learning record in your hand looking out at the reef from under a coconut tree on Ambergris.”


PADI eLearning

CLICK HERE

Old Ambergris Caye Diver

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Manatee at Hol Chan marine Reserve Yesterday

Please don't expect to see this rare manatee on your dive at Hol Chan  but do expect to see a site full of the widest variety of marine life Belize has to offer. This 30 foot max depth site is a photographers dream.
Just a 15 min. boat trip from the dive shop, departs daily at 9am and returns you to your hotel at 12:30 in time for lunch. 
This site is also our location for the Night Dives. Rule one of Night Diving is be familiar with your site having dove it in the daytime. Night Dive departure varies with sundown during the year and returns approximately 2 hours later, check with your divemaster for the exact time.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Newest divers in the World in the Blue Hole

Friday, November 18, 2011

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

White Sands Dive Shop is Renting Dive Computers



The Leonardo is a complete RGBM computer that offers all the functions recreational divers need in a sharp-looking package. It is the first computer completely manufactured by Cressi Electronic, a new division of the company introduced this year. This sleek wristwatch-style dive computer is a single-gas unit, has a user-changeable battery and is nitrox-capable to 50 percent. The large, single button lets divers access all, easy-to-read screens. And, with no wet contacts used on the unit, the Leonardo stays free of rust.

Monday, November 14, 2011

Thursday, November 3, 2011

The Newest Divemasters in the World

San Pedro has three young men with a new vocation this morning! Congratulations Ian Oliva, Pedro Oh and Efrain Sedaey. Welcome to the membership!

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley

1/2 Day SNORKELING OUTING

Shark/Ray Alley and Hol Chan Marine Reserve:
The Hol Chan Marine Reserve was established in 1987 as Belize's first Marine Park.   The word Hol Chan in Mayan means, “little channel” and the reserve was created around this natural break in the reef.   The Hol Chan is located approximately 4 miles southeast of San Pedro, and about 9 miles northeast of Caye Caulker. It was formed to control the fishing and diving in the area.   The channel of Hol Chan is well known for large schools of fish including parrotfish, grouper and snapper, as well as green moray eels and resident Turtles.  It has been divided into three zones that are marked by buoys.   They are laid out accordingly with the main habitats – mangroves, sea grass, and coral reef.   The reserve is a popular spot for snorkelers and divers interested in seeing the colorful coral formations and large schools of fish. The popular Shark/Ray Alley, recently added to the reserve, is an area where visitors can snorkel and swim with docile nurse sharks, and stingrays.   The idea of swimming with these seemingly intimidating creatures can be a daunting thought for many people, but visitors are often pleasantly surprised by the ease with which these graceful creatures interact with them. Marine life is plentiful throughout the entire reserve, and the area is perfect for divers and snorkelers of all levels of experience.   Visitors must be mindful, however, that carelessly standing or touching the beautiful coral formations can easily destroy the fragile ecosystem. Touching the coral can also cause painful burns and stings.   Respecting the simple rules of the park is one way to help preserve the natural environment for future generations.
Cost $45.usd
Park fee $10.usd (paid in cash at the park)
If you need Mask, Snorkel and Fins they are available at the dive shop for $10. a set.
The trip departs White Sands Dive Shop at 9:am daily and returns 12:30pm

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

DAN Student Membership Program



 DAN Student Membership Program
Complimentary Program for the Entry-Level Diver
Make DAN your dive buddy and join the more than 225,000 divers around the world who support dive safety. DAN is the only organization in the world that specializes in dive medical research and provides the DAN 24-Hour Emergency Hotline.
The DAN Student Membership Program provides enrolled students who reside in the U.S. or Canada up to $20,000 recompression treatment during "entry-level" student training - at no charge to the student or instructor. Coverage ends in six months or when the student completes the last dive required for certification, which ever occurs first. If the student is under the age of 18, they'll need a Parent's or Guardian's consent to enroll.
Student Self-Enrollment
Instructor Online Roster
Print Class Roster
Print Insurance Record
FAQs
Students: enroll online yourself.
Note: You must reside in the U.S. or Canada in order to participate in this program.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Belize Weather and When to Go

Belize Weather and When to Go
 Belize's high, dry season runs from November to April (making the low season from May to October). Although temperatures can reach 95 degrees, tradewinds will keep you feeling cooler.
The wettest months are from June thru October, although you'll usually also have a fair bit of sun during this time. One benefit of traveling to Belize during the low season is that it is less crowded.   Historically, Belize's hurricanes have arrived in September and October.
Belize is considered sub-tropical -- temperatures range from 50-95F degrees.  November thru January are the coolest months, averaging about 75 degrees. There was a cold snap in January with uncharacteristic lows in the mountains of the Cayo district. If you plan to travel around Belize, be prepared to dress for cool and warm weather as temperature can vary greatly, depending on location.
 Belize's water temperature averages between 79 and 83 degrees.

Top Ten Dive Sites

1st Place Winner Eagle Ray Canyons            Click on map for larger version
2nd Cyprus Gardens
3rd Tackle Box
4th Esmerelda
5th Pillar Corals
6th Victoria canyons
7th Tuffey
8th Boca Ceiga
9th Tres Cocos
10th Victoria Tunnels

Everyone seems to be concerned about the sites name. My personal philosophy is very different. Just throw me in anywhere on Ambergris Caye, it swims around!.

Saturday, October 8, 2011

The Dive Shop Early This Morning.


I took this as I came to work this morning at 7am. gona be another hard day at the office!
Click on photo for bigger view

Small groups for local two tank dive trips on North Ambergris Caye


Our Daily One and Two-Tank Dive trips to the Barrier Reef leave at 9am. The sites are typically 10 to 15 min. from the dive shop. a list of the sites can be found at http://scubalessonsbelize.blogspot.com/2010/07/top-ten-dive-sites.html 
All dives are lead by a Divemaster and conducted in the 60 to 80 foot depth range.
We pick up at your Hotels dock!

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

The Great Blue Hole



The Great Blue Hole in Belize
Approximately 45 miles from Ambergris Caye, the almost perfectly circular Blue Hole is more than 1,000 feet (305 meters) across and some 400 feet (123 meters) deep. The hole is the opening to what was a dry cave system during the Ice Age. When the ice melted and the sea level rose, the caves were flooded, creating what is now a magnet for intrepid divers. Today the Blue Hole is famed for its sponges, barracuda, corals, angelfish—and a school of sharks often seen patrolling the hole’s edge.
White Sands Dive Shop uses 'Papa Changa' for the Blue Hole Trip because of the professionalism of its crew and ya wana be on the largest boat in town for the open ocean crossing to the Blue Hole.
This 3 dive day trip departs 5:30 am  returns 5:00 pm. coffee and continental breakfast, Picnic Lunch is on Halfmoon Caye.

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Elearn the Advanced Open Water Course


Monday, August 29, 2011

Price Changes and Reef Fishing


Hello Everyone,
We have some small changes in our new price list.
4 or 5 items have gone up by $5.usd.
We're trying to stay ahead of these galloping gas prices.
I have also added fishing trips.
We have on staff a local fishing guide 'Efrain Sedacy' and added a 25 foot fishing boat.
He does Reef Fishing only.
Reef Fishing is very productive and fish are caught by everyone young and old. 
All equipment is provided.
Reef Fishing is not "Catch and Release' like Bone,Tarpon and Permit, instead its successful in catching Snapper, Grouper and Barracuda that the Guide will clean for you and the restaurants will cook for your lunch or dinner. 
Reef Fishing
Full Day - $350.usd for 4 persons, additional persons $25.each. Fruit and Sandwich Lunch
Half Day - $275.usd.
 P.S.  On Sundays from now until Christmas we are offering an afternoon Hol Chan Shark Ray Alley snorkeling trip at 2:00pm  and also a Two-Tank Dive Trip at 1:00pm on Sundays in addition to our normal daily 9am departures for these two trips.
White Sands Dive Shop 011- 501 226-2405

Today's Newest Diver in the World


Today's Newest Diver in the World, Congratulations Erin

Enriched Air Nitrox Elearn Online

PADI eLearning