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This article will cover everything you need to know about scuba diving at Huracan Diving Lodge. We’ll get into what it’s like to stay on Lighthouse Reef and scuba dive at the different sites on the atoll. We’ll talk about diving at the Blue Hole, as well as around Long Caye and Half Moon Caye.

Belize is an incredible place with so many amazing things to see and do around the country. Most people come to Belize to escape the winter blues in more northern countries, as they have a plethora of choices of beaches, cayes and tropical rainforests. However, those with a passion for scuba diving know that Belize is one of the best places in the world to scuba dive.

In fact, Belize is home to more than 400 islands, cayes and atolls, the longest unbroken barrier reef in the world, second only to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Belize also has 298 kilometers of coastline, which makes it home to some of the best scuba diving in the world! After all, the barrier reef in Belize is even designated as a world heritage site.

This article may contain affiliate/compensated links. For more information, please see our disclaimer here. We take all the efforts necessary to ensure the information included in this post is accurate, correct and current, sometimes, things just change! Travel information like opening hours, business operations and prices may change. If you find anything in this post that is incorrect or outdated, please let me know in the comments so I can update it for other readers. Cheers!

About Huracan Diving Lodge on Lighthouse Reef Belize

Huracan is an eco-lodge located on Long Caye, within Lighthouse Reef Atoll across from Half Moon Caye. In case you were wondering, Lighthouse Reef atoll is where the Blue Hole is located. This is one of the best advantages of staying at Huracan Diving Lodge.

Huracan is the only other diving lodge located on Long Caye, even if there is another resort there. After spending 4 nights there, we can tell you that Huracan is the best place to stay on the island, especially if you want to go scuba diving.

We would describe Huracan as a liveaboard but on land! You enjoy the best of the liveaboard experience, like being the first and only divers on the dive sites, the all-inclusive formula, and the high number of dives, but without the sea troubles that come along with it – like the constant rocking, sea sickness and being stuck on a boat.

Everything to know about scuba diving at Lighthouse Reef with Huracan Dive Lodge

When we came to Belize, the thought of diving the Blue Hole crossed our minds. Why would it not? It’s one of those bucket list places for divers and for travelers alike. So we started searching for dive shops that would go to the Blue Hole.

And quickly, we realized that diving the Blue Hole from San Pedro, from Caye Caulker or from Placencia would mean that we would have to get up earlier than the sun and we would have to take a 2-3 hour long boat ride to get to the destination. Of course, seeing as most places left these spots at the same time, we would never have the blue hole to ourselves. And after experiencing the busiest dive spots in Cozumel, we wanted a more exclusive experience.

Enter Huracan Diving Lodge!

As we mentioned, we were located on the same reef as the Blue Hole and Half Moon Caye. Usually, other dive shops in Placencia, San Pedro and Caye Caulker will combine the diving in these 2 locations (and a third one) all in one day.

But at Huracan, you have a full day of diving around Half Moon Caye, which is only 15 minutes away by boat. You get to dive three different sites on this reef (with no one ever around). Plus, because Huracan is located so close to the Caye, they pick the days when no one else is around to visit it. Again, this means you not only get all dive sites to yourself, but you also get the whole island to yourself too!

Dive packages at Huracan

There are 3 possible packages you can choose to go scuba diving or snorkeling at Huracan. Note that this is quite an exclusive dive experience, which means the groups are small, which is a great advantage, in our opinion. Here are the diving packages available at Huracan:

• 7 Nights – Either from Saturday to Saturday or Wednesday to Wednesday. There are 15 dives in this package, and you get to visit sites at the Blue Hole, Half Moon Caye and Long Caye
• 4 Nights – This runs only from Saturday to Wednesday. It includes 8 dives total, and again, you get to visit the Blue Hole, Half Moon Caye and Long Caye
• 3 Nights –  This is from Wednesday to Saturday, and includes 5 dives. You won’t visit the Blue Hole on this package, but you’ll get to dive the best sites at Half Moon Caye and Long Caye.

All their packages include boat transportation to and from Belize City to Long Caye. Of course, accommodation and all meals are included, plus, you have snacks, coffee and juices. The diving gear rental is not included, though you are welcome to bring your own gear if you have it. Also, you will have to pay the marine park fees for entering the Blue Hole, which is $30 USD and Half Moon Caye, another $10 USD. It’s important to note that even if you don’t dive or snorkel at these sites, you will have to pay the entrance fee if you enter the park.

We took the 4-night package and found it to be the perfect amount of diving. We got to experience 4 dives on Long Caye and 3 dives on Half Moon Caye, as well as the Blue Hole. The dives are spread out throughout the 3 days you are there, so you have 3 dives on your first and second day, and 2 dives on your last day. You end that last day with an 11 am dive, so that gives you enough time to clear for a flight in the afternoon on the next day.

The dives are spread out during the day, so you have one at 8 am, another at 11 am and the final dive at 3 pm. This gives you enough time to hang out with your new friends between dives, and to enjoy the other activities available on the island… or just to hang out.

In our opinion, the 3-night package would not have been enough diving for us, and the 7-night package would have been too long. We had forgotten how exhausting diving was! So with 8 dives over 3 days, it was just perfect for us! But if you’re used to diving, the larger package might be right for you.

Diving at the Blue Hole from Huracan Dive Lodge

If you’re like us, the Blue Hole might also be on your bucket list of dives! And we promise you that the best place to stay if you want to dive the Blue Hole is at Huracan Dive lodge. Since it’s located on the same atoll as the Hole, you are only 20 minutes away, and you get the whole site to yourself because you’re the first boat there!

The Blue Hole is a 1,043 feet wide and 407 feet deep sinkhole located in Belize. Many people choose to see it from above, with a local flight that costs about $350 USD and lasts about an hour. Others will choose to snorkel and check out the reefs.

However, for scuba divers, the Blue Hole is one of those once-in-a-lifetime dives. You go down to depths of 140 ft. There, you can see the stalactites & stalagmites that formed when the hole was still above water. You can also see some sharks swimming below in the depths. It’s a really trippy feeling.

The best thing about diving the Blue Hole with Huracan is that you have it entirely to yourself, for both snorkeling and scuba diving. It’s only on our way out that we saw a few other snorkelers and just one diver in the water. Plus, because the guides at Huracan are so experienced, they take you to the best spot to see all the beauty of the Blue Hole. You don’t need to waste air trying to find the right spot. You don’t get disappointed by the dive. You just enjoy it!

Eating at Huracan Dive Lodge

When you purchase a package at Huracan, you’re signing up for an all-inclusive experience. This means you don’t have to worry about anything. The food is included, and it’s delicious! Chef Shannan is a true masterchef!

First breakfast is usually served at 7 am and includes cereal, bread, peanut butter, jam, and fruits. The larger breakfast is served after your first dive, so you’ll get to enjoy it around 9 am. This meal will include more bread and fruits, and will also have a combination of eggs, bacon/sausage and waffles/pancakes.

Lunch is served at noon after you return from your 11 am dive. This meal will vary, depending on the catch of the day, or the chef’s mood. It’s a lighter meal, but still quite filling because you have another dive coming up at 3 pm.

Supper is served around 7-7:30. This will be a three-course meal. You’ll always have an “appeteaser” as Chef Shannan calls them because he’s teasing the meal. Your main course will also depend on the catch of the day. Whereas lunch might be chicken, beef or fish, supper is usually fish, in varying forms. And the meal will end with dessert.

For omnivores and pescatarians, meals will be hearty and delicious. However, as a vegan, to be honest, meals were not very filling, often lacking in protein or sustenance. They were also a little repetitive. But this is the major problem of being vegan in Belize. This lifestyle and dietary choice do not have many adepts in the country. Rare are the restaurants that cater well to vegans. And variety seems to be an issue for vegans all around.

Although Chef Shannan tried to get creative and put in the effort to accommodate, there is an overall lack of ingredients and availability of vegan-friendly options. He made vegan waffles and a few tofu meals. However, most days, the vegan option was vegetables with a sauce and starch – rice, polenta, noodles, etc.

What to know about lodging at Huracan Diving Lodge

The lodge you stay in with Huracan is simple, yet very comfortable. Each couple has a private room with a private bathroom. The rooms are a comfortable size, with plenty of storage and hooks & hangers – a must for people who spend most of their time in the water!

Every day, the chef prepares four delicious meals with local ingredients and fresh catches.

There are also a ton of places to hang out at Huracan. Seeing as you’ll be spending 3, 4 or 6 nights at Huracan, you’ll likely make new friends. Luckily, you can hang out in the common areas, like the living room, the outdoor lounge area, or the comfy hallway, which includes a hammock! If that isn’t enough, you pretty much have the whole island to yourself that has a nice beach, and great places to catch the sunrise and the sunsets!

What to know about Half Moon Caye

On the second day of diving at Huracan, we had a full-day excursion to Half Moon Caye. Half Moon Caye is an island on Lighthouse Reef, about 15-20 minutes by boat from Long Caye. It’s a national monument in Belize and a protected area and home to 4,000 red-footed boobies. It used to be an old coconut farm, and you can see its remnants, as there are coconut palms all over the island.

During our excursion, we did 3 dives in the Half Moon Caye area. We visited the island between dives and for our lunch. Chef Shannan prepared a BBQ meal on the island while we were on our dives. We also had some time to explore the island. Here’s how it went!

Dive sites on Half Moon Caye

There are plenty of dive sites on Half Moon Caye. You can snorkel them – many popular tours will have snorkel trips here. But the scuba diving on Half Moon Caye is absolutely amazing! We got to visit 3 different sites and they all had something amazing to offer. however, the common thread here was that the corals were pristine!

Our first dive of the day on Half Moon Caye was the Playground, and we were stoked to see some sharks swimming around. We have quickly grown to love these apex predators. The second dive was at the Rollercoaster, where we spotted more sharks, a few turtles, a huge moray eel and some barracuda. Another great dive.

Our final dive was at the famous Half Moon Caye Wall. This impressive wall has beautiful coral that covers it, from the huge barrel sponges to flowy coral. We got to share our dive with more sharks and turtles, as well as quite a few barracuda.

How to spend a day on Half Moon Caye

We arrived on Half Moon Caye way before anyone else. Being located on the same atoll, and only 15-20 minutes away has some significant advantages! We dropped our snorkeled friends off, suited up and went to our first dive site. Again, we were the only ones there.

After our first dive, we got back to Half Moon Caye where we were able to enjoy some more time without anyone around. This gave us a chance to have some fun with the puppies on the island. They belong to the family that lives on the island – they are some of the only people here, along with the park rangers.

After a short break on the island, we headed out for our second dive. After another successful plunge, we were back on the island for lunch. We also had some time to explore Half Moon Caye. We got to walk around the paths, check the beach out, and spot some red-footed boobies.

After a nice long break on the island, we headed out for our third and final dive of the day. This one was at the famous Half Moon Caye Wall. An iconic dive to do on the island.

After our dive, we headed back to Half Moon Caye, picked up our friends, and headed home to Long Caye. It was an epic day!

Things to do on Half Moon Caye

If you head to Half Moon Caye, there are a few things you can do to keep busy. Here is a quick compilation of all the things to do here:

1. Scuba dive. This is one of the premier dive sites in the country, so if you have a chance to come here with Huracan, or a different dive shop, we highly recommend it.
2. Snorkeling. If you don’t scuba dive, snorkeling is still a great option on the island. There are quite a few sites that are a short swim or kayak ride away.
3. Kayak around Half Moon Caye. Another great activity to do on Half Moon Caye is to kayak. You can rent boats from the activity center on the island and paddle around. The waters are super clear and usually quite calm as well.
4. Birdwatching. We mentioned before that Half Moon Caye is home to about 4,000 red-footed boobies. These birds are endangered, which is one of the reasons Half Moon Caye is a protected area. The boobies come here to mate and nest. While on the island, you can walk to the lookout tour where you’ll get a great view of the red-footed boobies. You’ll also see a ton of frigates flying around as well.
5. Take a dip at Sunset Beach. On the opposite end of Half Moon Caye, you have Sunset Beach. It’s a beautiful little beach where you can go take a dip. After a long time walking on the island, this is a refreshing stop to include on your trip to Half Moon Caye.

Sleeping on Half Moon Caye

Although you can’t sleep on Half Moon Caye when diving with Huracan – you have amazing accommodations waiting for you at Long Caye. You can still sleep on Half Moon Caye, if you book an excursion with Island Expeditions.

They have a base camp on Half Moon Caye with the same types of tents we slept in on Glover’s Reef. These are canvas tents with a comfy double bed.

Knowing Island Expeditions, they will have a ton of activities to do there. So if you want to spend some time on Half Moon Caye, check out the different packages they have available.

A day at Huracan Diving Lodge

Now that we’ve gotten through all the details of what to expect at Huracan Diving Lodge, Here is what a typical day looks like. Don’t worry, the staff will give you all these details, and more, when you arrive on the island.

• Coffee is served fresh starting at 6:30 am
• First breakfast is at 7 am
• The first dive is at 8 am
• You return to the lodge at around 9 am
• Second breakfast is served at 9 am and will be waiting for you when you get back
• You have about 1 hour of free time after breakfast
• The boat for the second dive leaves at 11 am
• Your second dive finishes around noon and you come back to the lodge
• Lunch is served around noon
• You now have free time until the third and final dive of the day
• At 3 pm, you leave on your second dive
• You return to the lodge at 4 pm
• At this point, you have a ton of free time until supper at 7-7:30. You can shower and head over to the back dock to watch the sunset. When we were there in January, the sunset is at 5:30-5:45 (might be sooner or later, depending on what time of the year you visit).
• Supper is served at 7-7:30
• You then have some more free time until you head to bed
• Then, you do it all over again the next day. It’s a pretty sweet deal!

Packing list for going to Huracan Dive lodge

If you are heading to Huracan, here are the things you should bring with you:

• Any diving gear you have – mask, snorkel, BCD, fins, boots, wetsuit, etc.
  • Although they do rent out all the necessary equipment, if you have your own gear and you’re able to bring it, we recommend you do.
• Comfy clothing to chill in – it’s a dive lodge, so no need to get fancy.
  • 2-3 t-shirts
  • 2-3 pairs of shorts
  • 1 pair of loose pants. Mainly for the nighttime, when the bugs get somewhat intense
  • A long-sleeve shirt, again for the bugs, but also because it gets a bit chilly sometimes
• A raincoat, in case of rain, but also for the boat ride, if you don’t want to get that wet!
• 2-3 bathing suits
• Bug spray
• Flip flops (though the island is perfectly safe to walk around barefoot)
• Toiletries
• Reef-safe sunscreen (or long water clothes so you don’t need to wear sunscreen)
• A good book

The best time to visit Huracan and Belize for scuba diving

If you are planning to visit Belize and dive at Huracan, the warmest months are from August to October. Average temperatures reach around 82- 84°F (28-29°C).

October and November are the months when the groupers mate in the area. You can expect thousands of these fish to take over the cayes to mate and give birth to their babies. And we know there are quite a few groupers at the dive sites near Huracan because we saw some big ones during our dives. They loved following us around.

From November to July, temperatures are cooler both above and below the water. However, temperatures will only drop by a couple of degrees. Most divers will still be comfortable in a shorty… except Carine. She’s always cold!

Finally, April to June are considered the best time to see the whale sharks if you’re lucky. But don’t come here with any expectations, that’s usually when you have the best time!

Overall impressions of diving at Huracan Dive Lodge

If it wasn’t clear enough, we’ll say it again. We adored our time at Huracan. We kept saying this was the best diving we’ve ever done! And our experience was only made better by the staff and the comfy accommodations.

It’s rare that we have a chance to live such a unique experience. Often, liveaboards are expensive, and not the most eco-friendly activity to do. But this was like taking the best of liveaboards and leaving behind all the worse things about them.

The fact that some of the best scuba diving in Belize is just minutes (like 20 minutes max) away from Huracan was a huge plus. And we’re not just talking about diving at the Blue Hole, but also at Half Moon Caye and all the other sites on Lighthouse Reef.

But let’s not ignore the fact that we were the first and only boat at the Blue Hole for a good half-hour. Perfect for doing one of the coolest dives in Belize. We were also the only boat on all the other sites we visited.

Beyond the diving, the staff is incredibly sweet. They did everything possible to make sure everyone was having a great time, without trying to be overly friendly. The team at Huracan runs a tight ship. Everything went super smoothly and was really hassle and worry-free.

If you’re an avid diver and love spending time underwater, we would highly recommend booking your package with Huracan Diving Lodge. We thought the 4-night package was the perfect amount of dives, but if you know you can do a full week with 15 dives, go ahead and book that package! You won’t be disappointed!

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