Hatchet Caye Resort

Set 18 miles offshore from Placencia Village in Belize's Stann Creek District, Hatchet Caye Resort runs a dive centre built for divers who want reef and open water within easy reach. As a PADI Resort with four PADI Instructors on hand, it pairs the ease of a small-island base with the structure and standards divers expect.

Courses and instruction

The centre's focus is PADI scuba diving, with a team of four instructors guiding everyone from those taking their first breaths underwater to certified divers looking to log more time below the surface. Having several instructors on staff means smaller groups and more attention, whether you're learning the fundamentals or refining your technique.

Its offshore setting makes Hatchet Caye a natural fit for divers who'd rather wake up close to the water than commute to it each morning. If you're after a relaxed, instructor-led base in Placencia to build skills and spend your days diving, this dive centre is worth a closer look.