Some divers love a full boat and new buddies. Others would rather have the reef, the guide and the pace to themselves. A private dive charter on Ambergris Caye is for that second group: families with a new diver, couples, photographers, and friends who want to dive together without fitting around strangers.
White Sands Dive Shop offers private charters and private guides alongside its normal scheduled trips. This page explains what that means, how it compares with joining the morning boat, who gains the most from going private, and what to tell us when you ask.
Can I book a private dive charter on Ambergris Caye with White Sands Dive Shop?
Quick answer: Yes. White Sands Dive Shop, a 5 Star PADI Dive Facility licensed by the Belize Tourism Board, describes itself as a BTB Gold Tour Operator offering private charters and private guides for smaller groups, alongside its scheduled dives. Email us your party size, certification levels and goals, and we will plan the trip with you.
Why we offer private charters and private guides
Tourism in Belize was turned upside down by the COVID-19 pandemic, and we decided to change with it. We rebranded to accommodate smaller groups and more personalized service, and we added private charters and private guides to our normal service.
The idea is simple. A private charter puts your party on the boat without other customers, and a private guide stays with your party in the water. Either way, the dive is planned around the people you came with.
What the Gold Standard means
The Belize Tourism Board created the Tourism Gold Standard as a recognition program for hotels, restaurants and tour operators. Its Travel Belize guide on what to know before traveling to Belize describes it as a 9-point program to enhance the tourism industry’s health and safety standards.
We are also licensed by the Belize Tourism Board and are a PADI International Resort Association member. Ask us about our current standing whenever you book, and we will be glad to tell you.
Small group diving on Ambergris Caye: three ways to go
Our scheduled trips, a private charter and a private guide each suit a different kind of party. Use this side-by-side view to choose, then ask us how to set it up for your dates.
| Question | Scheduled trip | Private charter | Private guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who is on board | Your party and other customers | Your party only | Ask us how the guide joins your trip |
| Departure | Scheduled 9:00, pickup at your hotel dock | Agreed with us when you book | Agreed with us when you book |
| In the water | The group follows the dive plan together | The plan is built around your party | A guide for your party alone |
| Best for | Confident divers happy to share the boat | Families, friends and mixed divers and snorkelers | New, nervous or out-of-practice divers, and photographers |
| How to book | Email us your dates | Email us your party size and goals | Email us your experience and goals |
Rates for private trips depend on what you want to do, so we quote them by email. For our standard dives and courses, see the current course prices on our Water Sports page.
Who a private dive guide in San Pedro suits best
Going private is not only for big spenders or big groups. It is often the best fit for parties whose divers are at very different levels.
- Families with a new diver: a teenager fresh from a course can dive at a comfortable pace, with parents close by.
- Nervous or returning divers: pair a private guide with our scuba refresher course on Ambergris Caye and build confidence without an audience.
- Divers with non-diving partners: ask us about combining your dive with a snorkel stop such as the one in our Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley snorkeling guide.
- Underwater photographers: a private guide can let you linger on one coral head instead of keeping up with a group.
- First-timers: start with Discover Scuba Diving on Ambergris Caye, or with private scuba lessons on Ambergris Caye if you want one-to-one teaching.
If your party has divers at very different levels, tell us early. It is far easier to plan a private trip that suits everyone before you arrive than to rearrange the day on the dock.
Where a private trip can take you
Our normal service gives you a sense of what is possible. Locally we run one, two and three tank dives on the barrier reef, a Hol Chan dive with a Shark Ray Alley snorkel, a night dive, and snorkel trips to Hol Chan, Shark Ray Alley and Mexico Rocks.
Further out, our full-day trips visit Turneffe (“The Elbow” and Turneffe North) and the Great Blue Hole at Lighthouse Reef. Each is three dives with continental breakfast, lunch, snacks and drinks. Details are in our Great Blue Hole day trip from San Pedro and our Turneffe Atoll dive trip from San Pedro.
Tell us which of these you want as a private trip, and we will tell you what we can arrange. For the full picture of local sites and atoll days, see our complete guide to diving Ambergris Caye and our night dive guide for Ambergris Caye.
What to tell us when you ask
- Your dates and the name of your hotel.
- How many divers and how many snorkelers are in your party.
- Each diver’s certification level, logged dives and date of last dive.
- What you most want to see or do, and any gear you need to rent.
- Whether anyone in your party feels nervous about diving, so we can plan a gentle first dive.
Personal attention from Elbert Greer’s shop
White Sands Dive Shop is owned and operated by PADI IDC Staff Instructor Elbert Greer, on the beach in San Pedro. You can read about his teaching in our profile of PADI IDC Staff Instructor Elbert Greer.
Personal service is not new for us. Bryan Nelson wrote after his family’s trip: “Joan, Sam and I want to thank you for all the personal and professional attention you gave to our group of divers and, particularly, Sam.” His full letter is on our page of letters from Elbert’s dive students.
Private dive charter, Ambergris Caye: your questions answered
Does White Sands Dive Shop offer private dive charters?
Yes. Along with our normal service, we offer private charters and private guides for smaller groups and more personalized service.
How much does a private dive charter cost?
It depends on the trip, the number of people and the gear you need, so we quote private trips by email. Our standard dive and course prices are on our Water Sports page.
Can snorkelers come on a private charter?
Tell us how many snorkelers are in your party when you ask. We run snorkel trips to Hol Chan, Shark Ray Alley and Mexico Rocks and will tell you what can be combined.
What is a BTB Gold Tour Operator?
The Belize Tourism Board runs the Tourism Gold Standard, a 9-point recognition program for hotels, restaurants and tour operators that sets health and safety standards.
Can I book a private guide instead of a whole boat?
Yes, private guides are part of our service. Send us your dates, experience and goals and we will suggest the best setup.
Ask about a private dive charter
Email elbertgreer@fastmail.fm or call 011 (501) 226 2405 with your dates, your party size and each diver’s experience. We will reply with a plan and a quote for your private trip.