Amigos del Mar

Located in the centre of San Pedro on Ambergris Caye, Amigos del Mar has been a fixture of the local diving community since 1984. As a family-owned operation, the centre has grown into an SSI Diamond dive centre and an SDI resort facility, offering a structured and professional approach to diving in Belize.

The centre serves as a gateway to the country's most significant underwater landmarks. From the shallow coral gardens of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve to the deep, dramatic descent of the Great Blue Hole, the operation is geared towards providing comprehensive access to the reef systems and atolls of the Caribbean.

The centre operates as a professional multi-agency facility, holding affiliations with PADI, SSI, and SDI. This allows for a wide range of certification paths and ensures that divers from various backgrounds can find suitable training and recreational programmes.

Operating primarily in Spanish, the team brings decades of local experience to every trip. The centre is structured to handle everything from introductory Discover Scuba Diving sessions to advanced technical training and specialised reef explorations.

The training programme is comprehensive, covering all levels of certification through PADI and SSI. Beginners can start with the Discover Scuba Diving programme or work towards their PADI Open Water Diver or SSI Open Water Diver certifications.

For those looking to advance their skills, the centre offers the SSI Advanced Adventure Diver course and the SSI Enriched Air Diver course. They also provide Refresher Courses for divers returning to the water and Open Water Referral services for those completing their training elsewhere.

The fleet is extensive, consisting of nine different vessels to accommodate various group sizes and trip types. For larger groups or longer excursions, the Papa Tomas carries up to 40 passengers, while the Papa Changa accommodates 32.

Smaller, more intimate trips are serviced by boats such as the Princessa Del Mar, which holds 16 divers, and the Island Princess with a capacity of 26. Other vessels in the fleet include the Another Princess, the Sun Princess, the Princess K, and the smaller Tanks A Lot Too and Little Princess, which carry 8 divers each.

For local dives, the boats depart at 9:00 am, while the long-range trips to the Blue Hole or Turneffe Atoll require much earlier departures, typically between 5:15 am and 5:30 am. Onboard, you will find refreshments including water, fruit, coffee, tea, and non-alcoholic beverages, with continental breakfasts and lunches provided for the full-day excursions.

The centre provides Nitrox for divers looking to extend their bottom time or manage nitrogen loading on multi-dive days. All logistics are handled on-site to ensure a smooth transition from the shore to the boat.

While the centre offers full-service diving, it is important to note that equipment hire is managed separately from the standard dive excursion rates. The facility is positioned to support both local reef dives and the more demanding requirements of atoll expeditions.

The marine life around the reefs is diverse and active. You will frequently encounter various fish species and small reef fish navigating the coral structures. The sandy areas and reef edges are home to Nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) and Southern stingray (Hypanus americanus).

In the protected waters of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley, the presence of rays and sharks is a regular highlight. The ecosystem supports a healthy population of reef-dwelling species that thrive among the coral formations.

For those with a keen eye, the area offers opportunities to spot more elusive creatures, including the occasional manatee. The combination of reef flats, walls, and sandy bottoms creates a rich habitat for a wide array of Caribbean marine life.

Diving in the region is influenced by the different environments, from the protected reef flats to the open atolls. The Great Blue Hole and Turneffe Atoll involve longer transit times and different sea conditions compared to the local San Pedro dives.

Temperature stability is a feature of the local waters, typically ranging between 23°C and 26°C. Divers should prepare for these conditions when selecting their kit for reef or wall diving.