SCUBA DIVING IN BELIZE: dive a 200 mile-long coral reef. Divers’ Reviews

Belize is home to several underwater wonders such as the second largest barrier reef in the world; it runs 200 miles along the Belizean coastline, and the famous Blue Hole. About 60% of Belize is still covered by forests, it´s an idyllic place not only for divers and scuba diving but for nature lovers too.

Once a British protectorate (until 1981) it borders the Caribbean Sea to the east and has the lowest population density in Central America. Belize hosts a unique blend of cultures in the region, with influences from Afro-Caribbean, Spanish, Garifuna and Maya traditions. Kriol, Spanish and Maya are widely spoken, but English is the official language. Mayan monuments are scattered, especially in the central and southern parts, Caracol among them.

CLIMATE

Belize has a tropical climate with two main seasons: wet and dry. The wet season runs from June to November, and dry season from December to early May.

TURNEFFE ISLANDS, SHALLOW REEFS FOR ALL DIVERS

Turneffe Islands are the largest of the three offshore atolls in Belize, and the closest from Belize City. The western reef line provides shallow reefs suitable for all divers. Currents and walls make the diving a bit more challenging elsewhere in these islands. The Elbow, in the southern tip of the atoll, is one of the shallow sites with good visibility, great for beginner divers. It´s a point of coral that juts out into the ocean and it´s covered by deep water gorgonians and tube sponges, you can watch shoals of snappers, hundreds of them! Bar jacks and wahoo can be found here too.

Rendezvous Point is an excellent dive spots, especially if you have not been underwater in a while and need to get back in the scuba groove. The diving spot is shallow (40 to50 ft.) and gives you enough bottom time to enjoy an incredible variety of reef fish, great visibility too.

There are several options to visit this reef. If you decided to stay in Belize City you can do day trips to several reserves, caves and rivers as well as the Belize Zoo.

If you based yourself in San Pedro, day trips can be done to Ambergris Caye by boat. The ruins of both Lamanai and Altun Ah are very interesting and surrounded by forests with plenty of wildlife.

AMBERGRIS CAYE, No.1 DIVING DESTINATION

Ambergris Caye is the most popular diving destination in Belize. Just a short flight from Belize City will bring you to the island where most of the dive shops in Belize are located. You can also take a small ferry from Belize City, a much less expensive option. There´s three major dive sites you can visit from Ambergris: Mexico Rocks, Rocky Point Canyons and the famous Shark Ray Alley, part of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve.

At Shark Ray Alley you can dive with manta, sting and eagle rays, as well as nurse sharks and Caribbean sharks, definitely a must do! If you have not seen Nassau groupers yet, Rocky Point Canyons is your dive site. All sites in Ambergris can be done by all level divers.

Ambergris is very close to Caye Caulker (Caye Trouble as the locals like calling it) and taking a boat there includes time for snorkeling at various sites. Caye Caulker is a popular tourist spot for young backpackers and has a fun nightlife too.

There are also day trips from here too to the different Maya sites. The boat rides taken to access the Maya sites through Belize River usually give you the opportunity to spot manatees!

LIGHTHOUSE REEF, DIVE THE WORLD FAMOUS BLUE HOLE

Lighthouse Reef is the farthest off shore atoll from Belize, it´s 60 miles from the coastline and here you can dive the world famous Blue Hole site. There are over 20 different dive sites here, most of them close to Long Caye.

The Blue Hole is an underwater cave, a perfectly circular underwater sinkhole a quarter of a mile across and about 480 ft. deep. Inside, the stalactites and limestone formations are truly impressive. One plus of this magnificent dive site is that visibility can be about 200 ft. Guides have taken on the practice luring in sharks on a majority vote. Bull, reef and hammerheads sharks can accompany you through the stalactites if you vote yes.

Half Moon Wall, south side of the Half Moon Caye, offers incredible healthy coral life, and don´t miss the red footed bobbies outside the water perched  all over the Caye from December to March. Half Moon Caye is has the status of Natural Monument.

Belize is a very small unspoiled country, so don´t expect fast food chains. Enjoy the forest, the reef and the incredible beaches in a different type of luxury, the one simplicity offers.

DIVE OPERATORS LISTED IN BELIZE

Ambergris Divers / Avadon Divers / Dive Robert’s Grove /  ReefCI