Protech Belize is a “full support” dive centre on the sub-tropical Caribbean island of Ambergris Caye. The resulting “island” is actually two islands, as it is more divided by one more channel (misleadingly recognized as the “river”) that cuts across at the northern end of the only town, San Pedro. Ambergris Caye is half a mile west of the Meso-American Barrier Reef, which runs from Guatemala northwards to Cozumel in Mexico, and is the second longest barrier reef in the entire world. It really is also the longest in the northern hemisphere and is stated to be the longest in the western hemisphere (though I you should not know what that implies), and it is really on this reef that we do our local diving. Apart from 1 dive webpage that is within the reef (Hol Chan Marine Reserve), all other folks are marked by long term buoys in drinking water all around 30-50 deep outside. Though it varies at diverse web-sites together its length, the reef and diving can be summarised in four sections. The shallowest extends from the reef where by it meets the surface down to close to 50/60′. This area suffers from surge and storm damage when seas are rough, so hard corals are not able to grow there. These patches are excellent for early pupil exercise as we take terrific pains not to touch the coral a solitary contact with a fingertip can lead to hurt that takes a long time to mend. From about 50 to 120 there is a fascinating spot of spur-and-groove formations, where exactly the coral gradually drops away like a range of hills, with erratic and at times dramatic canyons out of the blue showing, with lots of overhangs and swim-throughs. As this spot is much additional protected from the effects of storms, you can get lots of very hard corals right here with some splendidly shiny colours. Under close to 130 we are acquiring into technical diving territory. There is often a sloping sandy plain with coral outcrops and very much curiosity, offering a splendidly calming environment for a light ramble. Ideal rebreather territory..
