FAQ

 

If you need extra information, please check the Frequently Asked Questions below. If you still have questions after reading this, please contact us.

 

  1. Can you pick us up at / bring us back to the airport or do we need a cab?
    We can arrange a car for you to bring you from the airport to the boat.  We charge 30 US dollar for 2 people.
    You can also decide to take a cab. There are plenty of them at the airport. They usually charge 25 US dollar / car and extra for a van.
  2. Is there a water taxi to Long Caye or how do we get there?
    The boat ride from Belize City to Long Caye and back is included in all packages.
    Are there fixed days to come to Lighthouse Reef or can we choose our dates?
    We do not work with a fixed arrival day or departure day. Just check the availability and book upfront.
  3. Where do we meet up in Belize City?
    The boat leaves from the pier at the Princess Hotel in the center of the city.
    However, we send a confirmation email after your deposit has been paid with exact information on the name of the boat, captain, contact person, where to meet,...
  4. What time does the boat leave in Belize City?
    The boat usually leaves at 2pm.
    This means that your flight has to be in Belize City by 12.30 pm to catch the boat.
    We can try to reschedule the boat a little later but we can never leave after 3pm.
  5. What time does the boat leave Long Caye on the day of departure?
    The boat usually leaves at 8am. This means you will reach Belize City around 10am and you can be at the airport by 10.45am.
    If you wish to be there earlier, please check if we can reschedule the boat.
  6. Does the boat always leave from Belize City and goes back to Belize City or can you also pick up at other places?
    If you want a pick up from another place we can arrange this for you but this will be charged as a private charter of the boat. Please check to get a quote.  A charter from Long Caye to Belize city is a minimum of 750US dollar.
  7. How can we pay?
    The deposit can either be paid online via our site www.huracandiving.com/contact_reservations.html after receiving a reference number by email from Huracan Diving or via paypal or wiretransfer. You can pay the rest of your stay with Visa or MasterCard at Huracan Diving on the day of departure or you can pay cash.

    Is there any charge to pay with Visa or MasterCard?
    We charge 5% user fee for the payment with Creditcard.
  8. Is there a reduction for a non diver?
    No, we do not give reduction on the packages. Those that do not want to go diving and paid for the all in package, can always join on the boat and relax and snorkel. We have also snacks and drinks on board for those non-divers.
  9. Do I get my money back if I do not go diving?
    No, once you booked a dive package you can dive the dives according to the package.
    If you decide to dive less, that is entirely up to you. Huracan Diving will not refund you for this.
  10. How can I check availability?
    Please send Huracan Diving an email with the dates you would like to book.
    Also inform Huracan Diving on the number of days you would like to stay, the number of people and the occupancy (double / single)
  11. Do we need to bring food / drinks?
    An all in package, means we will make sure you get enough food! We have always candy bars available, we give appetizers, desserts, fruits....
    So whenever you feel hungry, please just ask what you would like.
    Drinks at huracan are not included in the package and will be charged separately. We have sprite, coke, fanta orange, ginger ale,
    soda water, tonic, beer, wines, liquors, cocktails and champagne for sale.
    We do not accept that you use your own liquors at the huracan patio.
    Drinking water is for free and available at all times.
  12. What do we need to pack?
    Bring your own beach towels, sunscreen, bug spray, shampoo, conditioner, after sun. camera, under water housing for the camera,
    medication (seasickness,...), laptop / iphone / blackberry
  13. Are there any stores on the island?
    There are no stores on the island. We try to have everything available for our guests and we have items for sale (such as sunscreen, after sun,
    lip balm, Tshirts and caps, DVD of Lighthouse reef,...) and we will help you out as much as possible in case something was forgotten.
  14. Where do we go once we reach Long Caye? How will we find you?
    We will be waiting for you on the pier at Long Caye and guide you to your room.
    Is there a difference in rooms?
    All rooms are fairly equal. They all have about the same view, the same bed, the same fan, the same bathroom,...
    There are small differences in all of them but all are similar.
  15. How is the bug situation on the island?
    As any other country in central Amerika, also Long Caye has mosquitoes and sand flies. If necessary we spray in the morning between 6am and 7am.
    You still might get bitten now and then but we keep them under control as much as possible.
    The house is completely screened, so no problem with the bugs inside and in the rooms.
  16. Do you have DIN adapters available for the diving?
    Yes we have a couple of them. Please check upfront if we will have them available during your stay.
  17. What type of food do you serve?
    We like to serve fresh things and therefore prefer to serve you a lot of seafood. We buy our fish straight from the fishermen on the dock.
    We also serve Belizean shrimp and chicken.
    We always make sure you have variety in pasta, rice, potatoes, fresh home made bread,...
  18. When do you serve the food?
    Breakfast is ready at 7am.
    Lunch is served at 12.30pm.
    Dinner is served at 6.30pm unless we have scheduled a night dive, then we serve it afterwards.
  19. When do you go out diving?
    We start at 8am for the first dive and the second dive is at 10.30am.
    If we have scheduled an afternoon dive this is usually around 1.30pm or 3pm.
    Night dives start around 6pm.
  20. How do you avoid other dive boats or the liveaboards?
    Being so close to all dive sites we are able to schedule the diving so you would be diving only with the divers on the Huracan Boat.
    We schedule Blue Hole dives so you would not be diving them with all the others, and we go to famous dive sites such as
    Aquarium and Cathedral on different times than all other boats.
  21. Do you have wireless?
    We have wireless available for all guests. We ask to bring your own device. The wireless is limited and can only be used to send emails without attachments.
  22. What happens in case of emergencies?
    We have a VHF radio that broadcasts to Belize City. We are in direct contact with the Belize Port Authority and we can inform the Belize Coast Guard at Calabash Caye. We also have both a satellite phone and analogue phone available to contact the mainland.
    We have oxygen and first aid kit on board. Extra oxygen is available in the dive shop at Huracan Diving.
  23. What type of fish will we see?
    We can not inform you on what you will see but we can inform you on what you very likely can see.
    Bigger fish: reef shark, black tip shark, nurse shark, eagle rays, stingrays, green moray, spotted moray, turtles, tarpons, barracuda
    Smaller fish: bermuda chubs, butterflyfish, blue tang, french grunt, sergeant major, fairy basslet, parrotfish, creole wrasse, sauirrelfish, sanddiver, shortnose pufferfish, seacucumbers, trumpetfish, black durgons, filefish, lizardfish, damselfish, permit, jawfish, spotted drumfish, gardeneels,...
  24. When is the best time to visit Belize?
    Anytime is a good time to visit Belize. However the month October is usually a rainy month with possible hurricanes.
    Huracan Diving therefore is closed each year during the month October.
  25. How much do I have to tip?
    Tips are not included in the bill however we do not have a policy on this.
    If you are very happy with the services you got, tipping is considered as a generous offer and a sign of your appreciation. In Belize a 10% tip on the total package is considered as a normal tip.
  26. Can everybody dive the Blue Hole?
    The blue hole is a deeper dive but certainly possible! We only dive in small groups and you are accompanied by an experienced divemaster or instructor.
    However, we never go to the Blue Hole on the first day. We like to test your skills first by diving more shallow on the first dives and so we can decide if you will be comfortable enough to dive the Blue Hole.
  27. Can you dive from the shore?
    All dives at Lighthouse Reef are boat dives.
    Can you snorkel from the shore?
    Yes, you can go out from any part of the island and find beautiful coral heads. Even the old sunken barge at the west side of the island is interesting to snorkel. You can also head out to the reef and snorkel the inside of the reef.
  28. Are there any other activities on the island?
    Long Caye is very pristine and does not have a lot of businesses so far.
    We do offer the diving and the kiteboarding and yoga in the morning. 
    There are 3 kayaks available on the island, there is a volleyball court, we have bat chi ball and badminton, we have small fishing gear available and if you want to fish in style you can also hire the boat to go out fishing.
    We also have a variety of books available. We have a wide variety of movies (DVD’s), so bring a laptop in case you want to watch them.
  29. Can we dive with whale sharks?
    Lighthouse Reef is not on the whale sharks 'route'. If you are lucky you might spot one but we can not offer the snorkeling or diving with them.
    For whale shark diving you need to be more South in Belize.
  30. Do you ask for a medical statement?
    We do not ask a medical statement but we do ask to sign a liability weaver upon arrival.
    Do you have AC?
    No, we do not have AC. We are dependable on the forces of nature. All power is solar power and AC takes too much power to run.
  31. What type of water do you use for showering?
    Again we have to rely on nature. We store rainwater and filter it. The water has been tested and can be even used as drinking water.
    Our water supply however is limited so please be conservative with the use of the water.
  32. Do you have power at night?
    We have a battery bank that stores the energy that solar puts out during day time. Also here we are limited. Please be conservative with the use of power.
    It has no use leaving fans and lights on while you are out.
  33. Can we charge our batteries?
    Yes, you can. We have a regular 120V system with American outlets. We do ask to be conservative and only charge what is necessary.
    Can we use hairdryers?
    No, hairdryers are not allowed. All electric devices that heat up things use too much power. Your hair will look pretty in island style!
  34. Why didn't I get an answer?
    We answer our emails within the 24 hours. In case you did not receive an email back within that period of time, something went wrong.
    Please send your email once more.
  35. How many residents does Long Caye have?
    At the moment Long Caye only has 5 residents
  36. What type of vaccinations are recommended?
    We advise a vaccination for DTP (diptheria, Tetanus and Polio) and Hepatitis A.
    We do not have malaria out on Long Caye. However if you plan to travel towards the South or the Guatemalan border it is recommended to take malaria pills.
  37. How about your evacution plan?
    Here is our emergency evacuation plan. We ask our divers to consider a DAN (dive) insurance before coming out here.