Hamanasi, May, 2013,by Michael J. Millet, CA, US ( Top Contributor 96 reports with 61 Helpful votes). Report 6980. |
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No photos available at this time | |||
Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best): |
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Accommodations | Food | ||
Service and Attitude | Environmental Sensitivity | ||
Dive Operation | Shore Diving | N/A | |
Snorkeling | N/A | ||
Overall Rating |
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Value for $$ | |||
Beginners | |||
Advanced | |||
Comments |
This was my second visit to Hamanasi in the past 6 months. I timed this trip specifically for the spawning of the snapper and grouper and the subsequent arrival of the whale sharks. All of the action normally occurs a few days after the April full moon. Well, the large aggregation of snapper arrived, but it was consistently too deep (120’) so the spawn was not occurring during my 4 dives at Gladden Spit. As a result, we had no whale shark encounters. It is my understanding that during this period, there were not dive operators out of either Palencia or Hopkins that encountered any whale sharks. The locals surmise that perhaps the behemoths cruised on up to Isla Mujeres this year bypassing Belize. Just like my first visit in October, 2012, the Hamanasi Resort is a first-class place for water-related activities (SCUBA & snorkeling), many topside activities or just doing some serious lounging by the pool or beach. The accommodations are spacious and well maintained; the food is quite good with lunch and dinner ordered off a changing menu that offers a variety of choices including several Belizean dishes. The breakfast is buffet and could be improved if a made-to-order egg/pancake station was included. The bar offers a friendly atmosphere with a nice variety of libations. Essentially all of my activity was spent diving. The dive operation has a very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable staff. The dive boats are well maintained and offer water, juice, fruit, cookies and towels on each 2-tank trip. Trips to Glover’s Atoll and Gladden Spit include lunch. The operation seemed to have an issue with the Nitrox fills—the % ranged from 35% to less than 30%. Also, the tank pressure was consistently below 3000 psi. With the increased # of divers at the resort for the no-show whale sharks, the dive staff seemed a bit taxed with the level of activity. These were more nuisances rather than any serious issues. The highlights of the diving included a great dolphin encounter at the end of a dive at Glover’s. Luckily, I was still in the water with my SCUBA gear so that provided the opportunity for some good video. Also, the dive staff was spearing lionfish and feeding the local marine life. A rather large great barracuda devoured 3 of them in a matter of minutes. Even better video. The encounters with the eagle rays and hawksbill & loggerhead turtles will also make the highlight reel. The one topside activity that I did really enjoy was the Bocawina zip line. It is the longest zip line in Belize. It is well maintained with an emphasis on safety. It is a blast! Like my first visit to Hamanasi, the biting insects will make a meal out of you. Be sure to bring heavy-duty DEET and use it liberally. |
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Websites | Hamanasi | ||
Reporter and Travel |
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Dive Experience | Over 1000 dives | ||
Where else diving | Galapagos, Solomon Islands, PNG, GBR, Vanuatu, Palau, Philippines, Indonesia, Yap, Kosrae, Truk, Fiji, Socorros, All over the Caribbean. |
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Closest Airport | Getting There | ||
Dive Conditions |
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Weather | sunny, cloudy | Seas | calm, choppy |
Water Temp | 82-84°F / 28-29°C | Wetsuit Thickness | 3 |
Water Visibility | 40-80 Ft/ 12-24 M | ||
Dive Policy |
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Dive own profile | yes | ||
Enforced diving restrictions | No deco; 50-60 minute dives; no deeper than 80'at Gladden Spit | ||
Liveaboard? | no | Nitrox Available? | yes |
What I Saw |
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Sharks | 1 or 2 | Mantas | None |
Dolphins | Schools | Whale Sharks | None |
Turtles | > 2 | Whales | None |
Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best): |
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Corals | Tropical Fish | ||
Small Critters | Large Fish | ||
Large Pelagics | N/A | ||
Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best): |
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Subject Matter | Boat Facilities | ||
Overall rating for UWP's | Shore Facilities | ||
UW Photo Comments |
The dive boat were better equipped to handle several cameras with strobe arms. The boat had a large rinse tank for this purpose. There is no camera rinse at the dive shop. I used the shower at the pool to further rinse my camera gear. Most of the photo ops for marine life were of intermediate-sized critters, such as, turtles, barracudas, eels, groupers and jacks. There was also the occasional encounter with dolphins and eagle rays. The smaller reef creatures did not seem that prolific. |
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