We've been all over the Caribbean, but this was our first time to Belize. I found Oceans 23 by looking on Google Maps for a place that was far enough away from San Pedro to be quiet, but close enough to be able to zip back in for lunch/dinner/whatever. Our primary agenda for the trip was relaxing, diving and exploring. Here's a quick summary:
The Owners:
As soon as I booked, Floyd and Debbie sent me 2 documents full of helpful tips, airport advice, restaurant recommendations, etc. A few days prior to departing the US, Floyd called me to answer any last minutes questions and arranged for one of his guys - Silver - to meet us at the airport with a golf cart, which was a big help. Silver was awesome the whole week - anything we needed, we just pinged him on Whatsapp. He checked on us daily, offered to get us more ice on a very busy Easter weekend, arranged a sailing excursion for us, and took us back to the airport when we departed.
The Property:
* nice and quiet, even over Easter weekend.
* exactly 10 minutes by golf cart back to the bridge.
* zero-entry pool. Swim up bar was under renovation while we were there, which wasn't that big of a deal, we made our own drinks in the unit and used Floyd's nice Yeti cups to carry them out.
* sandy beach area with a sea wall, but not really a swimming beach. Seems like the whole East side of the island is like this because of the reef
The Unit:
* as pictured. Interesting, colorful decorations
* everything is left out for guest use - towels, condiments, pool floaties, etc. You are truly 'guest of owner'.
* fast Wi-Fi, which the teenagers appreciated
The Island:
* we used Belize Pro Divers. They picked us up at the property each morning and were extremely punctual. It would be hard to find a better dive shop - the guys were great
* we visited too many bars and restaurants to name - a good mix of casual, overwater bars for lunch after diving and nicer restaurants in the evening. You don't have to go all the way back to town - there are plenty of options reasonably close to the property
* Secret Beach is ~25 minutes away. Eat, drink, hang out in the waist deep water
All in all, it was a great trip, and C17 was everything we wanted. Can't wait to go back!