by heatherm | Sep 12, 2011 | Blog - Tsunami Adventures
In the Atlantic Ocean, tropical storms that reach a sustained wind speed of 39 miles per hour are given a name, such as “Tropical Storm Fran”. If the storm reaches a sustained wind speed of 74 miles per hour it is called a hurricane – such as “Hurricane Fran”. So, hurricanes are not given names, tropical storms are given names, and they retain their name if they develop into a hurricane. Here are the names for 2011. Arlene, Bret, Cindy, Don, Emily, Franklin, Gert, Harvey, Irene, Jose, Katia, Lee, Maria, Nate Ophelia, Philippe, Rina, Sean, Tammy, Vince, Whitney History of Atlantic Hurricane Names Names have been given to Atlantic hurricanes for a few hundred years. People living in the Caribbean islands named storms after the saint of the day from the Roman Catholic liturgical calendar for the day on which the hurricane occurred such as “Hurricane San Felipe”. When two hurricanes struck on the same date in different years the hurricanes would be referred to by names such as “Hurricane San Felipe the first” and “Hurricane San Felipe the second”. In the early days of meteorology in the United States storms were named with a latitude / longitude designation representing the location where the storm originated. These names were difficult to remember, difficult to communicate and subject to errors. During the Second World War military meteorologists working in the Pacific began to use women’s names for storms. That naming method made communication so easy that in 1953 it was adopted by the National Hurricane Center for use on storms originating in the Atlantic Ocean. Once this practice started, hurricane...
by heatherm | Sep 10, 2011 | Blog - Tsunami Adventures
For several years, local fishermen often cleaned their catch in this area, located just inside the reef, to the south of Ambergris Caye. When fishermen noticed that their activity had attracted Nurse Sharks and several Southern Sting Rays, they reported this information to the dive operations in San Pedro, who then dispatched some divers to investigate. What they found was a bonanza, and “Shark-Ray Alley” quickly became a very popular dive site. This is a must stop for the first introductory dive or snorkel in Belizean waters. Zone D is only 20 minutes north of Caye Caulker by power boat. Shark Ray Alley has a maximum depth of 30 feet and excellent visibility. You can almost always see all species of fish including jacks, groupers, snappers, parrot fish, angel fish, barracuda, eels, spider crabs, lobster, and nurse sharks. Divers are occasionally cautioned regarding the currents. As soon as your boat arrives in the area, you will notice a number of dark shadows in the shallow (eight foot deep) waters. These are the sharks and rays that hear the boat approach and come in search of a few scraps of fish. These creatures have a great tolerance for divers and snorkelers and seem to enjoy the human interaction. The rays, which have a ‘wing-span’ of two to four feet, swim directly towards the snorkelers and divers, inviting them to reach out and stroke their wings (although it’s best not to touch them). The gentle Nurse Sharks average four to six feet in length. While the animals show no fear of humans and will often swim right up to snorkelers, it...
by heatherm | May 25, 2011 | Blog - Tsunami Adventures
You may have seen a picture of a lionfish or heard of them, but in Belize? The introduction of lionfish into the Wider Caribbean Sea is believed to have originated South Florida when several lionfish were known to have been released into the sea. The shallow tropical waters of the Bahamas has witnessed a population explosion over a period of 4 years between 2004 and 2008. Bahamian fishermen are now harvesting lionfish for consumption since they are among the largest fish in the sea. Don’t be surprised if you are on a tour with us and your guide attempts to kill or catch the lionfish. Lionfish are voracious predators and can consume almost 80% of juvenile fish recruits including the important fishery export products like snappers and groupers, and parrotfish, which help keep the coral reefs clean of algae. Lionfish are also known to eat crustaceans, like the spiny lobster. In 30 minutes a lionfish was observed eating more than 20 fish! YIKES!!!! The local guides and fisherman have been doing a great job on the Barrier Reef and they have been on many dinner tables to enjoy. Pterois is a genus of venomous marine fish found mostly in the Indo-Pacific, known collectively as the lionfish. Pterois is characterized by red, white and black stripes, showy pectoral fins and venomous spiky tentacles. Pterois are popular aquarium fish and are readily utilized in the culinary...
by heatherm | Feb 3, 2011 | Blog - Tsunami Adventures
Caye Caulker is more than just one island, it’s two. The North side and the South side, referred to as Caye Caulker Village and Northside. Caye Caulker Village is where the majority of the population lives. Electricity is supplied by BEL. There is now a water system. Shops, restaurants, hotels (57) and private homes all co-habitat on this small island of .15 to 1.2 miles wide and 5 miles long. Expect telephone, cellular, internet, satelite television, 2 banks, 1 ATM, delivery services, 1 gas station and almost everything you need. 2 cemeteries and no hospital. Airstrip that services small places to reach the city and other destinations. The island is divided in two at the famous SPLIT. A very well known watering hole located at the North End of the CCV side. A great hang out for shady people as written on their designed t-shirts and sign. Spend the day here relaxing, swimming, snorkeling, have a few belikins, canoe, cross the split and walk the North Side. About 30 feet of water divides the two islands. At one time it was only a trickle of water between the two, until Hurricane Haitti eroded the area naturally and later locals decided to dredge enough space to pass boats to the back of the island. This was considered a short cut to the gas station. Here is a map of Caye Caulker North Side. A great place for canoeing or kayaking. We rent one double kayak and one single kayak, plus we have 2 double canoes for rental at Tsunami Adventures. We also offer a 2 hour cruise around both island...
by heatherm | Feb 3, 2011 | Tsunami Tours
Free Snorkeling! You wouldn’t think we would want to tell you about free snorkeling, when we have all these wonderful tours we want you to go on. Well, we all want somethings for free. It certainly isn’t going to be as good as a one of our reef tours, however it will surely be fun and hopefully you will be able to see lots of marine life. If you have your own snorkeling gear, then great, if you need fins, we have them for rental for only $5BZ or $2.50USD if you need the full set. Mask, Snorkel and Fins we rent all day for $5.00USD a set. If you want a week, then you pay for 5 days rental and get two days free. It’s not entirely free but a heck of a deal. The best place to go Snorkeling for Free is at the split. I often recommend to people to start from the end of our dock and swim around there and then onwards towards the split over the Sea grass beds, where you will see sea stars and young corals. Swim down along the seagrass edge towards the split bar area, swim along the wall, tons of fish. Dive down and under the ledge there is a few nurse sharks hiding out. You may see some lobsters hiding in the cracks. Swim accross the split and snorkel through the mangroves. Lots of fish hiding out in the mangroves. Be careful crossing the split. Look both ways twice and then swim across fairly fast and get to the side of the mangroves. If you are a...
