Turneffe Flats Resort - Belize
DIVE REPORT – 4 to 9 JANUARY 2015
Air Temperatures – Low to Upper 70s to Low 80s
Water Temperature – 78F
Overall Weather – At the start of the week winds came from the NNE at over 15 knots, and by mid-week they had reduced to 5 knots, only to increase again to 15 knots and swivel around to the NNW. Skies offered alternating sun and clouds with some rain showers here and there.
Crew - Dive Instructor Anne-Marie was the dive guide, with Carlton (AKA Capt) as boat captain for the week.
Sightings – A positively monstrous size Spotted Eagle Ray came cruising by divers at close range along the Chasbow’s Corner wall on Monday. Lighthouse Reef Atoll diving on Tuesday was spectacular, with lots of Nassau Groupers along the Half Moon Caye wall area with fat tummies for spawning. Reef Sharks showed up as usual and showed keen interest in divers whom were taking photos of a Hawksbill Turtle munching on a sponge whom was completely unconcerned with the divers and cameras, or the Reef Sharks whizzing by. Aquarium to Silver Cave on the western side of Long Caye was a lengthy drift dive covering both action-packed sites. Reef Sharks, Spotted Eagle Rays, schools of Horse Eye Jack, numerous large Black Groups, and three Tarpon all made appearances. The southeastern dives on Friday offered up a White Spotted Toadfish sighting. Upon close inspection, there was a small Banded Coral Shrimp sitting just above the toadfish’s eye like a red and white eyebrow. A lone large and muscular Crevalle Jack swam purposefully along the Jojos’s Split wall toward divers coming in close for inspection as it went by. Each week brings expected sightings and surprises every time.
Sunday 4 January
Winds at over 15 knots from NE. Mostly cloudy with some sun.
Dive Sites: #1 Black Pearl North - 60ft visibility / #2 Black Pearl South – 60ft visibility / #3 Amberhead – 60ft visibility
Monday 5 January
Wind speed at over 15 knots switching from NNE to due north. Rains showers in the morning gave way to sun in the afternoon.
Dive Sites: #1 Terrace – 60ft visibility / #2 Chasbow’s Corner – 60ft visibility / #3 Elkin’s Bay – 60ft
Tuesday 6 January
Winds at just over 10 knots from the NNE. Mostly sunny conditions all day.
Dive Sites: #1 Blue Hole – 30 then 80ft visibility / #2 Half Moon Caye Wall – 60ft visibility / #3 Aquarium to Silver Cave - 50ft visibility
Wednesday 7 January
Winds dropped to 5 knots, and skies were mostly sunny with some clouds.
Dive Sites: #1 Wishbone – 70ft visibility / #2 Front Door – 70ft visibility / #3 Night Dive at Northern Bogue
Thursday 8 January
Winds back up to 15 knots from the NNE, then switching to NNW. Rain showers on and off, revealing patches of sun.
Dive Sites: #1 Creekozene South – 60ft visibility / #2 Pine Ridge – 60ft visibility / #3 Lobster Bay - 60ft visibility
Friday 9 January
Light variable winds increased to 10 knots from the NW by mid-morning. Overcast conditions with passing rain showers gave way to sun in the early afternoon.
Dive Sites: #1 The Elbow – 50ft visibility / #2 Jojo’s Split – 70ft visibility / #3 Chrissea’s Place - 70ft visibility
