Belize vs. Cozumel - which would you choose?

[beatle]

I'm going on a cruise with my family this Christmas and we'll be in Belize and Cozumel for a day each. As far as diving goes, which would you recommend and why? I'm PADI open water certified, but nobody in my family is. I've got the green light to go by myself for one of the stops, but it'd be a bonus if I could take someone with me.

 

[nachosaregood]

Go diving at both stops.

 

[beatle]

Im only going to dive at one location.

 

[nachosaregood]

We did a family cruise with the same stops. In Belize, due to the logistics, I think you only get one 50 minute dive in. Cozumel has sites 1/2 mile from the cruise docks. Both are excellent.

Look at the other activities at each stop. I spent a week in Cozumel and there isn't much to do there aside from diving and Coronas. Belize may have some cool jungle trips.

 

[elblond]

Both are awesome, but Belize have the second biggest Barrier Reef in the World.

 

[acrohead500ppm]

belize by far !!! are you going to be on the mainland or san pedro??

 

[Crawfish00]

I fish and have dived both hands down belize...

 

[Blitzburggirl]

With no second thoughts... Belize. I've been to both, numerous times, and... well... the diving in Cozumel sucks!! I've taken 3 different trips.

The problem is that Belize has so much to do! My son and I have done caving and cave tubing... I've also gone on 2 diving trips and a snorkel trip. The snorkel trip was the coolest... ever

I'm seriously considering a week in Belize in the near future.

Another great place... Roatan. If the cruise you are going on stops in Roatan (which several Carnival cruises pairs with Belize and Cozumel), you may want to consider making your dive trip there, and doing something land based with the fam in Belize

Roatan is AWESOME!!

 

[scchase]

In Central America out of the places I have been Honduras has the best reefs still relativly pristine in most places. More Acros and branching type corals there.Cozumel has lots of Brains and Sea fans nice as well. Belize is closer to Honduras by the way

 

[scchase]

In Central America out of the places I have been Honduras has the best reefs still relativly pristine in most places. More Acros and branching type corals there.Cozumel has lots of Brains and Sea fans nice as well. Belize is closer to Honduras by the way

 

[WarmWaterWuss]

I can't compare as I have only been to Coz, but the diving does not suck. The coral is huge and the fish life is fantastic. It has turtles, rays, eels, lots and lots of tropicals and the terrain is incredible. I did note that the dive sites were in the 80ft plus range and seemed dark even with the sun out. The visibility was 80 to 100 plus in most areas, except the wreck (terrible vis due to run-off). I dove, dove, dove in Coz so can't tell you what else to do besides eat. The dive sites are close within 30+ mins from the cruise dock. My favourite sites were the Palancar Caves and Gardens and Barracuda.
Have fun!

Oh, do some research on Scubaboard.com whether you dive Belize highly depends on what area you will be docking in. Coz is one island, has two docks and both are close to diving, Belize has many islands.

If this is your first cruise, watch out for the drink prices they can really add up!

 

[summitwynds]

The 2nd largest reef is actually the same reef that extends from Belize up to Cozumel. Both Belize and Cozumel are fantastic. Its a matter of going to the right area.

 

[Authentic]

Belize! Spent a week ther last summer and there are boats that will take someone out and train them on the way so that they can dive with you.in addition to the reef which is unbelizable there is shark ray alley.

 

[coralreefdoc]

* MesoAmerican Barrier Reef System

 

[maymania6]

We dove in Cozumel.. and while it wasnt totally crappy, I really didnt enjoy it as much as I thought I would. Where we dove it was a drift dive.... the current was pretty strong and made it a tad difficult getting close to the reef to look at fish. Ive never dove in Belize but would LOVE to.

 

[08TRDOFFROAD]

I wasn't too impressed when I snorkeled Cozumel last fall. The hurricanes have done a number on the reefs down there!

 

[Chris Mills]

+1 Belize for diving is a better spot. I have been to both and preferred Belize.

 

[aquavista99]

Belize. Roatan (Honduras) is great for snorkeling/diving as well.

 

[Paaxil]

Belize.

 

[billdogg]

Cozumel will be drift diving, most likely from a cattle boat. Belize may not have quite as good visibility, but is probably going to be less crowded. I would vote for Belize as well.