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Dive Review of Aggressor Fleet in
Belize/Lighthouse Reef, the Blue Hole

Aggressor Fleet: "Late Summer in Belize", Oct, 2018,

by James Vincett, NM, US ( 2 reports). Report 11062.

No photos available at this time

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Accommodations 4 stars Food 5 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity 5 stars
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ 4 stars
Beginners 5 stars
Advanced 5 stars
Comments We dove in Belize with the Aggressor Fleet in late September, early October 2018.

This was our first liveaboard experience, and we were not disappointed. The Aggressor IV is large, and because it was only at half capacity for this trip, very comfortable. The staff was very attentive. The food was excellent. Wine and beer are included, and one guest brought his own whiskey. However, the boat is showing its age, but this did not detract from the trip at all. Our stateroom was on the lowest deck, but was the largest, with a king size bed. All staterooms had washrooms. We were lucky, the other guests were very friendly, knowledgeable, experienced divers. The diving deck is large and the crew always helped you don and remove your dive equipment. Access to the water was off the back of the boat, with a ladder and safety stop bar with a second stage available for those low on air. A smaller boat was always available in case of emergencies. Fresh towels were offered after every dive, and a warm cocoa with Bailey's awaited you at the end of night dives. Two warm fresh water showers were available on deck. There are separate rinse tanks for photographic equipment, and Nitrox is available. The boat has a upper rear deck and a top deck available for relaxing. The boat usually moved to new dive sites at night

If all you want to do is dive, eat, drink, and sleep, then this is for you.

There were five dives a day, two in the morning, two in afternoon, and a night dive. On a seven day trip we had the opportunity to get forty-five dives in, but we dove only about thirty-five. Those who participate in all dives win the boat's Iron Diver Award. A divemaster presented a thorough and interesting briefing before each dive. Most of our dives were at sites on Lighthouse Reef, with some at the southern end of Turneffe Atoll. We visited the Blue Hole, but, personally, I did not find this dive too interesting, though it is world-famous. Lobsters, crabs, octopus, schools of fish, grouper, reef sharks, shrimp, turtles and pelagics were abundant. On one dive we saw a squadron of a dozen or more eagle rays. The current at a few sites is challenging but not dangerous. Visibility was somewhat disappointing, out to about seventy feet. Water temp was in the high eighties, even at night, so we only wore dive skins.

In a word, luxurious, but you do pay for it.

The country of Belize and Belize City are third world, but there is a safe transfer from the airport (extra cost), and the boat docks at a pier in the hotel district, so it is fairly safe. However, I would not wander around Belize City at night for any money. We did take a sojourn during the day, and it was eye opening. If you like that sort of adventure, there is ample opportunity to explore after the boat docks.

Websites Aggressor Fleet   [same]

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 101-250 dives
Where else diving Sea of Cortez, Southern California, Hawaii, Cozumel
Closest Airport Belize City Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, windy, rainy, cloudy Seas calm, choppy
Water Temp 87-90°F / 31-32°C Wetsuit Thickness
Water Visibility 60-70 Ft/ 18-21 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions 100 foot depth, but some divers ignored this.
Liveaboard? yes Nitrox Available? yes

What I Saw

Sharks Lots Mantas Squadrons
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles > 2 Whales None
Corals 4 stars Tropical Fish 4 stars
Small Critters 4 stars Large Fish 4 stars
Large Pelagics 4 stars

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subject Matter N/A Boat Facilities N/A
Overall rating for UWP's N/A Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments Separate rinse tanks for equipment. Ample space for setup.
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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