The barrier reef that runs along the Caribbean coast of Belize is second only to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Jacques Cousteau first brought Belize into the limelight when he documented his dive on Belize’s famous “Blue Hole”. The offshore islands of Ambergris Caye, Turneffe, Lighthouse Reef Atoll, Half Moon Caye and Glovers Reef have been attracting avid divers ever since. Eco-tours abound throughout the region from jungle tours to the exploration of Mayan ruins making Belize an adventurer’s paradise.
Diving in Belize
Belize is one of the world’s top spots for scuba diving and snorkeling with the second largest barrier reef (second only to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef), as well as three spectacular mid-ocean atolls.
Spanning Belize’s coastline for 185 miles is the Belize Barrier Reef with dive sites inside and outside of the reef. This reef has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The underwater terrain is spur and grove formations – narrow canyons of corals are great for spotting grouper, stingrays, and moray eels. Inside the reef, patch reefs are covered with hundreds of brightly colored fish and coral species.
Diving and snorkeling are superb all along the barrier reef; the following are just a few of the truly standout sites and dives:
Shark-Ray Alley & Hol Chan Marine Reserve (reachable from Ambergris Caye). Shark-Ray Alley guarantees a very close encounter with schools of large stingrays and nurse sharks. Hol Chan Marine Reserve is an excellent snorkeling destination comprised of a narrow channel cutting through a rich and well-maintained shallow coral reef.
Turneffe Island & Lighthouse Reef Atolls (Northern Cayes and Atolls). For many divers coming to Belize, these spots are the Holy Grail, and justifiably so. Both of these mid-ocean atoll formations feature nearly endless opportunities for world-class wall, drift, and coral garden diving. This is also where you’ll find the world-famous Blue Hole. Most dive operators offer day trips to dive these sites, although these usually involve a 2- to 3-hour boat ride each way. Alternatively, you can stay at one of the very few lodges out on the atolls, or take a vacation on a live-aboard dive boat.
Water visibility commonly reaches 100+ feet; water temperature hovers around 80°F; and the barrier reef makes for calm water most of the year.
Belize is great destination for the active and adventurous traveler. Whether your interests are scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing, sailing, spelunking, mountain biking, horseback riding, or bird-watching, Belize has some fabulous terrain and opportunities that are perfect for you.
Dive Primer
- Water Temp: 78-80°
- Visibility: 100′+
- Wetsuit: 1.5mm to 3mm
Best Time to Travel
- Year-round
Favorite Dive Sites
- Hol-Chan Cut, Ambergris
- M&M Caverns, Ambergris
- Blue Hole
- Glover’s Reef
Topside Attractions
- Day trip to Lamanai or Tikai ruins
- Snorkel at Shark-Ray Alley