Scuba diving with Reefci in Belize

Introduction

This page is about the deals offered by Reefci. Here you will find all the details. In the booking section on this page you can send a booking request directly to the reservation team of Reefci.

About Reefci

Belize is a hidden gem in the heart of Central America. Nestled just south of Mexico and east of Guatemala on the Caribbean Sea, Belize is only a short flight from the United States.

Why Choose ReefCI?

Belize is a hidden gem in the heart of Central America. Nestled just south of Mexico and east of Guatemala on the Caribbean Sea, Belize is only a short flight from the United States.

Why Choose ReefCI?

ReefCI’s mission is to protect our oceans through science, action, and advocacy. We accomplish this through our ongoing conservation programs, education, and marine research. Through our citizen-scientist programs, we empower everyday global citizens to take an active role in directly protecting and conserving the marine environment.

We are the best at what we do! ReefCI is the preeminent and award winning marine environmental organization of Belize for hands-on conservation efforts and protection of the ocean and the millions of species that rely on healthy, functioning marine ecosystems.

Tom Owens Private Island

We are located on a small, private Caribbean island on the Belize Barrier Reef, named Tom Owens. Tom Owens Island is a beautiful, idyllic remote private island that is part of the Sapodilla group of islands, located in the South of Belize. The island, situated 20 miles from the mainland on the outer reef, is a true ‘castaway’ coral caye island.

Feel The Thrill

Feel the thrill of swimming with a whale shark, the excitement of spearing the invasive lionfish, and the satisfaction in helping the marine environment. ReefCI trips are a unique opportunity to protect the reef ecosystem by directly participating in our ongoing marine conservation projects!

World class diving, plentiful home cooked food, and fun friendly people await you. If you have not done so already, reserve your spot today here on the RUSHKULT platform!

Package deal

Package overview

This Package includes:

  • Accommodations while on the island: 5 days/4 nights on private island in the Caribbean off the coast of Belize

  • 3 meals daily during dive week

This Package includes:

  • Accommodations while on the island: 5 days/4 nights on private island in the Caribbean off the coast of Belize

  • 3 meals daily during dive week

  • 3 daily dives (one dive on Friday)

  • At least one night dive a week

  • Training for conservation work and participation in our programs

  • Island boat transfers to and from island

  • All dive equipment is included EXCEPT mask with snorkel, booties, and wetsuits. We provide the rest of your gear at no charge – BCD’s, tanks, regulators, fins, weights, etc.

The following is not included:

  • Flights to Placencia, Belize

  • Wetsuits, booties, masks, snorkels

  • Dive manuals or PADI e-Learning for PADI training (if getting certified) Sapodilla Caye Marine Park Fees: 25 USD per week

  • Alcohol and soda/pop while on the island (2-5 USD per drink)

  • Any additional PADI training certification course you would like to take while on the island (Advanced, Rescue, DM, PADI Specialties)

  • Anyone wishing to participate in night dives MUST bring their own dive light/torch. These can be purchased for as little as 10 USD on Amazon. Please note that in order to participate in night dives one must be a certified Advanced Open Water diver.

Good To Know:

Our volunteer trips are for both non-experienced and experienced divers.

Not certified? No worries, many of our volunteers come to the island to learn to dive. Looking to further your dive credentials? Many of our volunteers come to our island to further their diving certification status. Regardless of your diving level, our island is a wonderful place to learn with calm, clear waters and little current. We swap the cold swimming pool for the Caribbean Sea and the classroom for a hammock under a palm tree!

Please be aware that if you are doing your PADI Open Water Course Certification, there is a limited amount of conservation work included during your first week. If you want to get more involved with our conservation programs, we suggest you book a minimum of two weeks if getting your PADI Open Water Certification with us. To learn more about our dive courses and the PADI certification process on the island let us know while you book via RUSHKULT.

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Guided tours

Guided tours PADI - Open Water Diver

PADI | 3 Daily Dives | Lionfish Hunt Dive Program

Duration
days

Calling all apex predators!

Our lionfish program focuses solely on hunting, spearing, and eradicating this invasive species.

People often feel that “releasing” a fish or any other animal into the wild is a good thing, but not in the case of the lionfish! The initial source of the lionfish invasion can be pinpointed to personal aquarium releases in Florida back in 1985, probably by people whose lionfish were getting too big for the tank or eating the other fish. Lionfish are indigenous to the Pacific and Indian oceans and the Red Sea but not the Atlantic-Caribbean belt. In their natural habitat, they have a diet that is not a threat to the environment; there are many more varieties of species and they have natural predators to keep their numbers in check. However, in the Atlantic-Caribbean oceans they are an invasive predator, feeding on species that are key to our healthy reef environment such as juvenile groupers, parrotfish and crustaceans. These native species have no evolutionary defence mechanism against the invasive lionfish.

Calling all apex predators!

Our lionfish program focuses solely on hunting, spearing, and eradicating this invasive species.

People often feel that “releasing” a fish or any other animal into the wild is a good thing, but not in the case of the lionfish! The initial source of the lionfish invasion can be pinpointed to personal aquarium releases in Florida back in 1985, probably by people whose lionfish were getting too big for the tank or eating the other fish. Lionfish are indigenous to the Pacific and Indian oceans and the Red Sea but not the Atlantic-Caribbean belt. In their natural habitat, they have a diet that is not a threat to the environment; there are many more varieties of species and they have natural predators to keep their numbers in check. However, in the Atlantic-Caribbean oceans they are an invasive predator, feeding on species that are key to our healthy reef environment such as juvenile groupers, parrotfish and crustaceans. These native species have no evolutionary defence mechanism against the invasive lionfish.

Lionfish are voracious predators and consume juvenile fish recruits. In thirty minutes one lionfish was observed eating more than twenty fish!! ReefCI found a lionfish with a Blue Chromis in its stomach, the Lionfish measured 18cm and the Blue Chromis measured 9cm! That is half its body size in one mouthful! It’s like a human being eating a sheep in one gulp!!

Most fish species spawn once or twice a year over maybe a two-month period during the full moon. Lionfish release their eggs every 4 days!! They can release up to 20,000 eggs. They do not release the eggs until they are fully developed making the chance of survival much higher. This means they reproduce at an alarming rate. They reach sexual maturity in less than 1 year! And they can live until they are around 15 years old!

The invasive lionfish is one of the greatest threats to the sustainability of coral reefs and fisheries habitat throughout the Caribbean. Scientists are predicting that lionfish will have a grave impact on Belize’s already stressed stocks of fish and lobster and could spell potential disaster to our marine habitats.

What will you be doing?

Hunting and spearing the invasive lionfish!! Here in Southern Belize, we at ReefCI spotted our first lionfish in November 2009 but they were few and far between. Now we are spotting them on every dive and sometimes as many as 50-100 at one dive site. This is a dramatic increase and extremely worrying as we are the only divers in the area. ReefCI divers and snorkelers are actively involved in removing this invasive lionfish from Belizean waters. You will be spearing as many as you can!! So, for once in your life you can do something that is banned in most marine parks and go spear a fish! Great fun! After capture, we dissect some of the fish and study their stomach contents for research purposes. Then we eat! ReefCI guests often get lionfish on the dinner menu, cooked in garlic and black pepper or ceviche, they are extremely tasty.

ReefCI is currently supplying local restaurants with the lionfish we spear. We are giving them lionfish to include on their menus to introduce lionfish as a food source and to increase awareness of this problem amongst restaurant customers!! Lionfish ceviche, lionfish fish cakes, and fried whole lionfish are all delicious to eat. ReefCI is also working with local Belizean women to help them make jewellery from the spines and fins. We give them the sun-dried fins and spines and then buy the jewellery from the women and make them available for purchase.

We are extremely proud of our battle against the invasive and destructive lionfish. ReefCI is removing more lionfish and collecting more data on lionfish than any other organization in the country of Belize. ReefCI staff and guests are on target to remove over 7,000 lionfish this year alone and dissect 1,585 for research purposes!

Release your inner predator! Please join us in the fight to save the reef from this invasive species!

Included in the tour

Dive Guide, Skipper, Boat transport

Accommodation

Hostel

Stay at Tom Owens Private Island

5-star location

Accommodations are basic but clean and comfortable and can best be described as hostel-like. If you are expecting or wishing a 5-star resort then our island is not for you. The location however is 5 star!!!

5-star location

Accommodations are basic but clean and comfortable and can best be described as hostel-like. If you are expecting or wishing a 5-star resort then our island is not for you. The location however is 5 star!!!

Quirky, stone, individual cabanas surround the island and our main cabana houses families and groups. Every cabana has incredible views of the Caribbean! Imagine waking up to the sound of waves lapping against the shore and a spectacular Belizean sunrise!

Different rooms

For groups, friends and couples, there are twin, family, and double en-suite rooms in the main cabana with their own bathroom.

Single rooms with bathrooms are available upon request in the main cabana. Guests staying in individual cabanas use the shared bathrooms. A/C is not needed on the island as the strong trade winds provide a continuous cooling breeze on the caye. (we do have fans in each room if needed)

No mosquitoes or sand flies

There are no mosquitoes or sand flies on our island! We are blessed due to our location 25 miles from the mainland, the strong trade winds, and the absence of freshwater and suitable breeding habitat on the island. It’s the perfect Caribbean castaway island!

Mayan chef

One of the most consistent compliments ReefCI receives is how good our food is! We have a Mayan chef who cooks up the best dishes. Guests rave about our food.

The dining room overlooks the ocean and the food is plentiful and delicious! All dietary requirements are catered for (food allergies, vegan, vegetarian, no seafood).

A typical menu is as follows:

  • Early morning fresh fruit, tea, coffee, and biscuits.

  • Breakfast Fried jacks, sausages, scrambled eggs and refried beans or banana pancakes with ham and eggs.

  • Lunch Island chicken salad or chicken and veggie quesadillas or fresh fish burritos.

  • Dinner Lionfish fingers with cilantro, homemade garlic tartar sauce served with fresh salad and coconut rice or chicken curry with okra and yellow ginger rice or bbq whole fish with garlic mash and mixed veggies, or garlic lobster with cilantro mash and garlic zucchini.

  • Dessert Coconut tart or pineapple upside-down cake or chocolate rum cake with a rum butter sauce.

We use freshly caught fish, lobster, and conch (when in season) and island ingredients such as fresh coconut. However, if you only eat certain foods we can accommodate you.

Amenities

Bar, BBQ facilities

Room type
Double Room

Room details - Double Room

Bed type: Double bed / 131-150 cm wide
Number of beds: 1
Smoking policy: Non Smoking
Guests per room: 2
Room size: 35 m2
Check in time: 9:30 AM
Check out time: 11:00 AM
Room amenities

Free Wi-Fi, Bath, Free toiletries, BBQ facilities, Alarm clock, Linen, Upper floors accessible by stairs only, Board games/puzzles

Room type
Twin Room

Room details - Twin Room

Bed type: Single bed / 90-130 cm wide
Number of beds: 2
Smoking policy: Non Smoking
Guests per room: 2
Room size: 35 m2
Check in time: 9:30 AM
Check out time: 11:00 AM
Room amenities

Free Wi-Fi, Bath, Free toiletries, BBQ facilities, Alarm clock, Linen, Upper floors accessible by stairs only, Board games/puzzles

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