The Climate and Best Time to Visit
Belize enjoys a sub-tropical climate with temperatures at 77-95°F (25-35°C) from April through October, and at 70-90°F (20-30°C) from November through March. May is often the hottest month. It is usually a little cooler on the mainland, especially in the south. Oceans breezes are a welcome respite from the heat given the high humidity of over 80%.
There are 2 seasons - the dry season which runs from December through May. The rainy season which is June through November, but more than a short squall of rain is rare. it rains less offshore at the atolls than on the Belize mainland. The cooler weather from November through February is caused by 'Northers' which blow in and can cause choppy seas at dive sites on the west of the atolls. During the rest of the year easterly trade winds blow bringing swells to the sites on the eastern and southern sides. The Belize liveaboard boats simply switch to the leeward sides of the atolls when strong winds are blowing.. Although there hasn't been a big one since 2000, August through October is historically the hurricane season.
Belize is a year round liveaboard diving destination, although April through June is the period generally regarded as the peak season for divers. Visibility is best in dry season when it can exceed 130 feet (40m), but it can drop to around 50-70 feet (15-20m) in rainy season. Water temperatures hardly ever fall below 79°F (27°C) and reach a high of 85°F (29°C) from August through October.
Turneffe Atoll in particular is a favored spot for fish to spawn. From January through July different fish species aggregate in vast numbers on the reefs, especially at The Elbow. Sea turtles nest at both Lighthouse and Turneffe atolls. June through November is when they nest at Lighthouse and July/August is the time you will see more loggerheads in the water at Turneffe.
Liveaboard Ports of Departure in Belize and How to Get There
International flights arrive in Belize City. Some buses and taxis run from the airport to the city center which takes about 30 minutes. However, all boat operators run an airport (and hotel) pick-up service in an air-conditioned van to the dock at Radisson Fort George Hotel.
There are 2 hour international flights to Belize from various cities in the USA such as Los Angeles, Atlanta, Dallas, Charlotte, Houston and Miami, as well as from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Cancun in Mexico. Airlines that operate flights to Belize include Continental, Delta, American, TACA, US Airways, as well as the local airline Tropic Air.
Sometimes unexpected circumstances can cause travelers to cancel their trip. For this reason we recommend you take out insurance to cover trip cancellation, as well as scuba diving and travel activities. See our insurance program for a competitive quotation:

Tourist Visas
United States citizens, member states of the European Union, many central and South American countries, as well as visitors from CARICOM nations, do not require visas. You will need a visa if you are a national of China, Colombia, Cuba, India, Libya, Pakistan, Peru, or Taiwan.
You will need to show a return ticket and a passport that is valid for 6 months beyond your intended stay. You will be given a 30-day entry stamp and extensions may be obtained in the country. It is possible you will be asked to show you have sufficient funds for your stay (USD 50 per day).
Visit Embassy of the United States for Belize and The Belize High Commission websites for up to date details.
Places to Stay
If you plan on staying in Belize before or after your liveaboard diving safari then check our affiliated hotel reservation agents, hotelscombined.com. Browse their website choices for accommodation options, use their online chat to ask your questions, then simply book with your credit card:

All bookings made with hotelscombined.com carry their 'Low Price Guarantee' to ensure you get value for money.
If you prefer, it's also possible to dive these sites, including the Blue Hole, by staying at a resort on Ambergris Caye or, more easily, on Turneffe Atoll.
Visitor Health
There are no serious epidemic diseases in Belize and vaccinations are not required for entry. It is advisable to use anti-malarials for extended stays in the jungle, and there are also some areas with yellow fever and dengue fever. We recommend you consult with your local doctor for vaccinations and other health precautions for your liveaboard trip.
There is a hospital and several private medical centers and clinics in Belize City. Crucially for scuba divers, there is a hyperbaric chamber on Ambergris Caye.
Tourist Security and Safety
It is not especially dangerous to visit Belize but, like anywhere, using good sense goes a long way. There is probably a greater risk in a busy area like Belize City than what you will be exposed to staying on a Belizean liveaboard.
When visiting here, the usual good pieces of advice apply. Avoid dark or suspicious looking areas, do not wear expensive jewelry or accessories and stay in groups. If you are taking tours then make sure you are dealing with qualified agents and guides.