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- Joy Tours knows whale sharks.
- Friendly, knowledgeable guides (ours were Dorian and Hubert Young).
- The tour company covers everything from fishing to kayaking to snorkeling.
- Fresh, Belize-style lunches included on tours -- delicious!
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- Website: http://www.belizewithjoy.com
- Phone: in the USA, call Evan Hall at (201) 651-0464
In Belize, call the office at 011 (501) 523-3325 - Email: belizewithjoy@optonline.net
Gladden Spit, a couple hours out from Placencia, is one of the best places in the world to spot a whale shark in May through June. The mysterious, massive, polka-dotted creatures spawn off the coast of Southern Belize, and Joy Tours' master divers know exactly how to coax them to the surface. (Hint: it involves blowing bubbles!)
I was lucky enough to join Joy Tours on a private dive in Placencia. Unfortunately, even though I visited in April, the ocean was a little too choppy to go on a whale shark dive. But Joy Tours selected a pretty sweet replacement: the protected Caribbean waters near Laughingbird Caye. Besides having one of the greatest names I've ever heard, Laughingbird Caye offers great diving, as well as an idyllic spot to stop for lunch (stew chicken and papaya juice -- yum!).
