Belize is also home to some of the finest scuba diving in all of the world. The Cayes (pronounced keys), the offshore atolls, and the barrier reef are the main attractions in Belize. The barrier reef, which is 185 miles long, is the longest in the Western Hemisphere, and second largest in the entire world. The cayes are coral sand and/or mangroves islands, that are located between the mainland and the barrier reef, on the barrier reef, and on or within the reef perimeters of the offshore atolls.
Over 50 dive sites accessible from San Pedro, on Ambergris Caye. Most of the best sites are conveniently located no more than a 10-20 minute boat ride away from San Pedro. Belize is blessed with a diversity of reef systems which can be fully explored: from the distinctive topography of the Barrier Reef, to the offshore walls of the Turneffe, Glover’s and Lighthouse atolls, and last, but certainly not least, the magnificent Blue Hole.
With underwater visibility routinely extending hundreds of feet, and water temperatures akin to that of bath water, divers of all ages and abilities take pleasure in knowing that a dive in Belize’s waters is physically comfortable and teeming with activity.
- At the Blue Hole near Lighthouse reef divers descend vertically along the walls of a submerged cave to weave between stalactites and stalagmites at 120-140 ft.
- The atolls located beyond the barrier reef and heavier visitor traffic, offer combinations of patch reefs and the sheer walls of drop offs teeming with huge schools of fish.
- Just outside the reef and before the “drop off”, look for Spur and Grove formations – narrow canyons of corals which are great for spotting grouper and the occasional emerald moray eel.
- Drift dive along a ridge in lazy pursuit of a spotted drum fish, half over coral gardens and immense barrel sponges and then with a flick of the fin find yourself suspended in the bottomless blue of the drop off.
- Inside the reef, patch reefs are covered with hundreds of brightly colored fish and coral species.
