8 independent reviews for Lionfish spearing marine conservation in Belize
Reviews for Lionfish spearing marine conservation in Belize
Gayle Galletta review 8 Nov 2025
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The staff and guests were great. We had a lot of fun together. I loved hunting the lionfish and having a mission with every dive. We also got insanely close to some nurse sharks during our last day. The island is so peaceful. swimming out to SpongeBob Island was also quite memorable. The island is on a coral reef, so you could pretty much dive anywhere anytime you wanted. The boat rides were only 3 to 5 minutes to other dive sites.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
There’s plenty of food. You do not need to bring your own food or snacks. They serve chicken, eggs, cheese, fish.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, I feel that this vacation benefited the local people and help the environment. We did an island cleanup and reduced the number of lionfish on the reef.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
This was one of my favorite dive strips ever. It’s like a live aboard, but on a private island.John Myles review 16 Nov 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The boat ride coming back to Placencia in the middle of a tropical storm. Captain Marvin handled it masterfully though.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Living facilities are pretty basic, and the schedule is pretty much dive, eat, dive, eat, dive, eat, go to bed. So you’re pretty much living in your swimsuit all week. One set (two max) of shorts and a shirt, along with a pair of sandals and a good hat is about all you really need.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
No doubt about it on all counts, with the added benefit of being just a WHOLE lot of fun! There were multiple repeat participants in camp, and it’s easy to see why. I’m not generally a fan of repeating experiences, but I’ll definitely be coming back for more of this.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
One of the best trips I’ve ever been on! The facilities were pretty bare bones (which I’m fine with), the food was outstanding and the staff were very knowledgeable, professional and friendly.Paulina Mashnik-Myung review 19 Aug 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The entire trip was unforgettable. I got certified as an Open Water Diver on the island and even got to do 2 lionfish dives, all in a span of 5 days. This was my first time scuba diving and I was a bit intimidated, particularly because the first dives were not in a pool with perfect visibility, and also because I am in my mid-forties, which is significantly older than most lionfish trip participants. The instructors took very good care of me, took extra time when I was falling behind, made me feel relaxed and comfortable and made the entire experience enjoyable and safe. What's more, the trip felt like one big family camping together - everyone was very friendly and supportive, not just in the water but also during downtime. The instructors were both very knowledgeable about the reefs and extremely responsible toward their students, constantly keeping track of all divers and making sure no one was running low on oxygen or having any trouble. They also watched for any sharks or other danger and acted quickly and calmly. I felt very well taken care of. The food was excellent and the cooks accommodated my food allergies perfectly, thank you! This was a wonderful vacation that I will always keep in my memory.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Be a confident swimmer and know what you are getting yourself into. We had 3 dives and 2 presentations per day, so this was a very active vacation, which at times felt like bootcamp. If you are getting open water certified here, set your expectations about lionfish correctly - you'll have some opportunities toward the end to do spearfishing but most of your time on the island during the first week will be spent on getting certified.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, this holiday directly benefited Belize, which is negatively impacted by lionfish and ocean pollution.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
A great vacation that has brought a new love of scuba into my life. Thank you for making me feel so comfortable and welcome. I had a lot of fun!Yvonne McCall review 6 Apr 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Watching my husband and son spear lionfish while scuba diving2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
The food was wonderful! The water was warm and we did not need a wetsuit.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes. Mind-blowing how many lionfish are in one area of a reef and how many we speared as a group in one week.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Beautiful people from all around the world coming together for a common goal.Simon House review 26 Dec 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Encounters with turtles and eagle rays2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Bring a dive computer and a great place to upgrade your dive qualifications3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Very good, very well organised and interestingRyan Small review 14 Feb 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Staying on the island in the middle of nowhere was cool. Staff were pleasant and good banter back and forth...they had a sense of humour.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Accommodations were definitely hostel like. The beds were crap and they really need to invest in new beds. Also if they didn't feed you enough you were able to ask for more which they always had extra.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
I brought my own spear and zookeeper...I was the only one so I always had my spear to slay Lionfish. There were not a ton of them and some sights had more than others. Wish they would take us to sites that they had not been too and could explore areas where more Lionfish could be speared.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
If they fixed the bedding situation that would make this experience a 5 for me.Charles Vaughan review 5 Mar 2021
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The most exciting aspect was escaping from reality and living on this beautiful island with no wifi. I would start my day with a dive at 7am! I was fortunate to have a very good group of fellow volunteers. Along with them, the staff were all amazing and very enjoyable to be around. Finally unlike as described on the website the diet was not mainly 'plant-based'. There was a wide variety of meat and fish, cooked by a very talented chef who takes a lot of pride and care in their work. There was always plenty of food and so I was well fuelled to dive.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
If you plan to take multiple courses (which I suggest as they are very cheap there and the quality of learning is high) then don't do all the e-learning. This is expensive and unnecessary, you can a read the book which they have on the weekends off. I would say this is most applicable to courses such as Advanced, Reduce diver and Deep Dive as with courses such as Open water and Divemaster it is useful to do the e-learning before you arrive.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
I feel it benefits the local people by employing them as divemasters. The beach clean up was a real eye opener to reality of how much plastic is in the ocean. Finally, I felt we were making a good impact to reducing lion fish, which in itself was very enjoyable.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
This is one of the best holidays I have ever been on. The island is very well organised, there is no pressure to go diving and you can relax at times instead. The staff are all very knowledgeable with regards to diving and the local area. If time allowed I would certainly return in the future.Lynda Hughes review 20 May 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Feeling that you are contributing to the sea environment. Waking up to the beautiful sunrise and seeing the lovely sunset. Living on a tiny island for a short time.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Take minimal clothing. I had too much stuff. Diving is simple so little experience needed. Organisation is a bit haphazard so be aware that you work to Belize time and just relax. The manager Frank brought his three dogs (Two large and one pup) on to the very small island, so not a place if you are not a lover of boisterous, barking dogs.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
The research underaken e.g. identifying fish or bleaching effect is probably not very scientific and is a bit hit and miss but I felt I was helping to contribute more information on the health of the reef. After seeing how many lionfish there are and their destructive effect, I was pleased to help reduce their impact. They are also very tasty.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
I really enjoyed the overall experience. I learned so much from the guides about fish, coral and the reef in their lectures and in the research. Thank you to Willie, and his team.Holiday Reviews
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