We love Belize, but we like Ambergris and if you want off the beaten path, it's probably not for you. You might check Caye Caulker or some of the other less touristed cayes. We've snorkeled all over the world and Belize is some of the best we've ever done - lots of beautiful fish, eels, lobsters, turtles, big rays, nurse sharks, etc. Always hear good things about Roatan as well.

thanks for the quick reply. will share the info!

Loads of photos with blog, trip, and review site links on the main page of each collection:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/staceyholeman/collections

We've been to Belize 3 times and Honduras 4 times and all my recommendations are there. Happy planning!

Our mainland lodges are all off teh beaten track. for less visited and developed beach and South Water Caye

Meant to write, ..less visited Hopkins, Placencia, outer atolls and......swc

I would check out Utila, it is amazing and exactly what you are looking for. The diving is awesome!

http://utilaguide.com/

thx, all. this is great. much-appreciated!

We've been to both. I really liked Roatan better than Belize. If you like to snorkel or dive, its much easier in Roatan. Shore dives and snorkeling from West End Beach were amazing. Same from Belize required a lengthy boat trip, although the sights were amazing once we arrived. We rented the 3-bedroom house (St. Mac's villa) in West Bay Village on Roatan. Loved it.

http://www.westbayvillage.com/villagemap.html

The reef is the same from coz through belize and on to roatan. the reef is right onshore on roaten and only a short kayak paddle from AC or CC in belize. belize has the atolls and blue hole which roatan lacks. overall belize is a better dive destination. the lengthy boat trip is not true as you can easily see on gmaps.

Katzgar; Its been awhile since we were on AC, but I wouldn't say that a person could take a "short kayak paddle" to get to a reef for diving or even snorkeling from shore. As I recall the boat ride out through "the cut" was really hairy even for the pros. Can't speak to CC, as we didn't stay there, but we visited for a day and at that time it was not much more than a local village. As for Blue Hole, that is absolutely a long boat ride from AC and is only for very experienced divers. I did some snorkeling around the rim while hubby did the dive. He wasn't very impressed -- although he still wears his "Blue Hole - Been There, Done That" tee shirt. Its just a very quick decent to 160' and then up again. I got the impression that the OP was looking for a little more party atmosphere with diving secondary.

Agreed, the Blue Hole is a sort of bucket list thing that some later regret as not too interesting. I would refer the OP to youtube for a picture is worth a thousand words kinda thing. Kayak tie ups are provided on the reef every so often and way north of san pedro the reef can easily be swam out to. The reef can easily be seen on gmaps which I refer to as a sort of atbitrator.

How close the reef is just depends on where you stay. There are definitely spots you can kayak from. From our hotel, I think it was about a ten minute boat ride.

according to gmaps the reef appears to be about 2,000feet off shore at san pedro.

O.K. we stayed at a condo near Victoria House on AC. From there one couldn't access the reef by swimming or paddling. Sounds like its much different in other locations. Still....I liked Roatan better. However, our favorite is Cozumel. We return there every winter for a month and have for 20 years. Love it.

Thanks.

I prefer Belize because the people are friendlier and its less touristy. Coz in certainly ok but too touristy for my taste. Roatan is also ok, the hills make things more scenic.

When you kayak out to the reef from Ambergris, you shouldn't even consider heading outside the reef. There are buoys inside the reef to tie up at.

I live a mile south of town, and many people kayak out to the reef from there to snorkel. Not me, I'm one of the most un-athletic people I know.

Victoria House is a another mile south of me.

I visited Belize for the first time last year, after exploring many parts of the Caribbean and have never fallen in love with a place so quickly.

I went in December, end of May may be different, but it was great. The people were so friendly, like you all say and there is plenty of marine life to keep you occupied for days. Visited Victoria House, but didn't stay there unfortunately. It's beautiful and definitely luxurious.

If you're consider the Bay Islands, skip Roatan and head to Guanaja to stay off the beaten path. I just wrapped up a 7 night stay at G&G's Clearwater Paradise Resort on the north shore. I was there with my 14 year old son for a dive trip, but it's a fantastic set up for couples. Your group would probably book up the entire place, so you'd have it all to yourself. It's a beautiful setting with lots of dives and snorkeling nearby. Seculded beaches, great hospitality and incredible food. George and Ginger do not skimp. It's the small details, like 600 thread count sheets, thick toilet paper (vs. the sandpaper all the other places use!), and local/homegrown ingredients that make the difference. Their dining/bar area overlooks the bay and is the perfect place to bring on the evening.

I planned my trip just a few weeks ahead of time and was debating Belize or Honduras as well. I can't speak for Belize, but I'm glad I chose Guanaja in Hn. G&G's 7 night dive package was superior to many of the arrangements offered by places in Belize, and flights from California were notably cheaper. Have fun!

English spoken on Bay Islands as well as all over Belize and Ambergris does have lodges way off the beaten path, north of town, some close enough to the reef to swim to.

I would say Placencia for your visit we also have great nightlife, great restaurant, nice beaches, and great resort.