Before you leave

This information is intended to assist you with your preparations for your trip.  Before you leave home for a trip, there are a number of details that you must ensure are in order, including Passports, Vaccinations and Insurance.  We have included some guidelines on what you should bring with you including suitable clothing, diving equipment and other personal items. 

 

Passports and Entry Visas:

 

Check that your passport is valid – it takes time to apply for a new one!

 

Belize was formally British Honduras and gained independence in 1981.  Therefore, British, Canadian and US passports are valid and there are no special visa requirements for trips up to 1 month.

 

Vaccinations and Protection:

 

There are currently no vaccination requirements for Belize.  However, it is a good idea to be up-to-date on diphtheria, typhoid, hepatitis, tetanus, polio, cholera and rabies before you leave home.  It is recommended that you discuss your trip with your Doctor and get advice prior to departure.

 

Preventative Medicine

 

Malaria: This disease is only present in some rural areas of Belize, cases are rare and anti-malaria treatments are only advisable if you are to spend an extended period of time in the jungle.  However, we have had conflicting views from doctors so it is best to consult your doctor a few weeks prior to departure.

 

Traveller’s Diarrhoea:  Diarrhoea can strike when least expected.  Often it is caused by change of diet and climate and lasts around 48 hours.  Treat water with care, drink only bottled water and be moderate with food and drink.  Take care with your personal hygiene, washing hands frequently.  If you do get diarrhoea, drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration and consider taking some electrolyte solution (e.g. Dioralyte) to restore the salts lost in your body.  Anti diarrhoea tablets may be helpful if you have to travel, but they may simply prolong the illness.

 

Sun and Heat:  When you first arrive and until you have a good tan, cover yourself up.  Drink lots of bottled water – far more than you would at home.  Your body will be acclimatising in the first week and may lose a lot of salts.  Electrolyte solution (e.g. Dioralyte) can help restore this.  Use calamine lotion and moisturising cream to cool prickly hot skin and sunburn.  Heat stroke results from too much strong sun and is a serious risk to your health.  Use a high factor sunscreen at all times (min factor 15).  Remember to re-apply after diving.  A good lip salve is also advisable, as well as hats and dark sunglasses.

 

Fitness & Health:

 

If you plan to scuba dive, a dive medical is recommended but not mandatory, prior to departure.  Your GP can arrange this or do it for you.  Divers must be able to pass a medical examination to prove they are physically fit to dive or answer NO to all questions and sign the PADI Medical Form.  Celtic Field Sports will provide a copy of the form prior to your trip or it can be downloaded from the PADI website: www.padi.com. 

What's Included in Your Trip  

·       Island transfers.

·       Meals, beverages & snacks on the boat & island including local beers, sodas, water and rum drinks.

·       Island accommodation.

·       All reef fishing.

·       All diving and snorkeling activities during your Monday-Friday stay on the island. 

·       Highly experienced and qualified guides.

·       Diving & fishing equipment.

 

·       Internal flights with Tropic air.

·       Billfish outer reef fishing (ask us about our available upgrades).

·       Meals & drinks on the mainland.

·       International liquor such as wine, grey goose vodka or bourbon (available to purchase at our island bar).

·       The government fishing license of $25US per person per week.

·       Marine park fees of $25US per person per week.

 

Upon arrival into Placencia, a hotel shuttle or taxi will be arranged to will take you to your accommodation. 

We provide fishing gear and diving equipment.

Diving insurance is mandatory, but not included in the trip package. Most travel insurance policies can provide dive insurance for dives down to 100 feet (30 meters). Divers Alert Network; offers comprehensive dive insurance packages at reasonable rates and is a popular choice amongst divers.  Please bring a copy of your insurance documents with you. 

What's not included in Your Trip  

What To Bring

  • A re-usable water bottle

  • Water shoes

  • A dry bag or Ziploc bag, for all electronics and valuables

  • Swimwear, at least a couple of bikinis or shorts as you will be in the water most days.

  • Shorts, at least a couple of pairs. Quick-drying materials recommended.

  • Fishing shirts, vest (tank) tops and t-shirts. Quick-drying materials recommended.

  • Long pants/trousers.

  • Thin long-sleeved fleece for the evenings (only during winter months) and a lightweight waterproof shell/jacket (thicker for the boat during winter months) Keep this handy for the boat journey, just in case!

  • High factor (SPF) sunscreen and lip balm (especially for the boat rides), after-sun lotion.

  • Sunglasses and a hat

  • Spray in hair conditioner to help conserve water

  • Flashlight and/or Dive Torch with spare batteries.

  • Swiss army knife (optional)

  • We are happy for our guests to bring underwater housing for those who are interested/passionate about photography

  • Books, Kindles, Playing cards

  • Computers, iPods/iPads, musical devices for the evenings if you have any favourites, along with power adapters (US)

  • Photocopy of your passport

Diving

We do have shorty wetsuits.  During the winter months – November through March a full 3mm wetsuit is recommended; shorty wetsuits may be OK for some people. Water temp can get as low as 26ºC (78.5ºF) in the winter months. Most people dive without wetsuits during the summer months.

Booties.

A dive mask and snorkel

PADI certification cards and Log Book (if applicable)

Celtic Field Sports supply BCD’s, Regulators, weights & tanks.

 

We do not supply dive computers or dive watches. 

Accommodation

From Monday until Friday your accommodation will be on the island.  There are private rooms.

A generator is kept in its own room to reduce noise pollution.  It is run all night on the island allowing guests to charge their devices. And use a fan if the sea breeze is not enough.

Wifi

 

Please be aware that due to the remote location, we do have a wifi connection on the island but it is limited.

 

Deposits are non-refundable but are transferable.
 

If you cancel your trip 60 days or more prior to departure, 50% of the balance is non-refundable.  If you cancel within 60 days the entire balance is non-refundable.

 

If Celtic Field Sports cancels the trip prior to departure, 100% of the balance and the deposit are refundable, except in cases of natural disaster and force majeure. 

 

Force majeure.

 

Celtic Field Sports will not be liable for failure to perform agreed obligations if such failure is as a result of Acts of God (including fire, flood, earthquake, storm, hurricane or other natural disaster), war, invasion, act of foreign enemies, hostilities (regardless of whether war is declared), civil war, rebellion, revolution, insurrection, military or usurped power or confiscation, terrorist activities, nationalisation, government sanction, blockage, embargo, labour dispute, strike, lockout or interruption or failure of electricity or telephone service.   

 

Should diving, fishing or island transfers not take place due to force majeure, natural disaster or unforeseeable circumstances including rough sea conditions, monies will not be refunded.  It is advisable to check your insurance policy.

 

Wherever possible Celtic Field Sports will try to reschedule cancelled trips to a future date within a 12-month period, subject to availability. Celtic Field Sports can reschedule full island bookings, however there will be a cancellation fee.

Cancellation Policies