...Belize is one of the western Caribbean's premiere dive destinations..." - Skin DiverMagazine
This statement could be amended to say premiere diving destination in the world. Belize's barrier reef has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Water visibility commonly reaches 100+ feet, water temperature hovers around 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and the barrier reef makes for calm water most of the year. In recent years visitors to Belize have rated the "marine attractions" as the primary reason for coming to Belize.
With an unrivaled barrier reef in this hemisphere the marine attractions are as varied as the natural formations that make up this 176 ml. coastal treasure. Divers and snorkelers can experience the barrier reef, coral atolls, fringing reef, patch reefs, each offering differing underwater coral formations and a variety of flora, fish and marine creatures.
BELIZE DIVE SITES
The Belize Barrier Reef Spanning Belize's coastline for 185 miles is the Belize Barrier Reef with dive sites inside and outside of the reef. Just outside look for Spur and Grove formations - narrow canyons of corals are great for spotting grouper and the occasionally eel. Inside the reef, patch reefs are covered with hundreds of brightly colored fish and coral species. For something a little different, try snorkeling or diving near a mangrove colored island "the nursery of the sea" where you are sure to find tiny barracuda, snapper and other fish whose parents you might have seen in deeper water.
Northern Belize
*Mexico Rocks At Mexico Rocks, off North Ambergris opposite a former coconut plantation, you may not see as many fish as at Hol Chan, but the coral is beautiful. Also, this area is protected from ocean swells and currents, so it makes for easier snorkeling. Depth is only about 6 to 12 feet, so you can see everything up close. Water viz is about the same as at Hol Chan, 50 feet or more.
* Hol Chan Belize's first marine reserve where the fish are huge and quite adapted to human presence. It is located off the southern tip of Ambergris Caye is the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. Hol Chan is Mayan for 'little channel." This sanctuary was officially established in 1987, and since then the return of all species of fish has been quite dramatic.
* The Wall A trip here requires exceptionally calm seas, and presents itself with wasteful colors and a great variety of fish. This is not a deep dive, but certainly one filled with many great views.
Sandy Slope 60'-90', All Coral & marine Life. The Wall is the most northern dive site in the country of Belize, right at the border of Mexico. It is also the only wall on the 183 miles of Belize's Main Barrier Reef.
* Shark Ray Alley
Nurse Sharks are the sharks you are most likely to see when snorkeling in Belize, especially if you visit Shark Ray Alley in the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. They are quite docile & sluggish as sharks, spending a lot of their time on the sea bottom. They are filter feeders and can grow to over four meters in length.
* Stingray Flats
The Stingray Flats or commonly known as Stingray Alley is located right of the island of Caye Caulker. As rays glide around you, your guides will draw your attention to the most spectacular underwater sights and offer snorkeling advice. *Tres Cocos Tres Cocos is a spur-and-groove reef with deep and locally narrow canyons running perpendicular to the reef line. It is similar to Cypress in depth and relief. The coral spurs crest at 50-80 ft whereas the sand-floored canyons fall off rapidly to depths of 110 ft. Like a giant plowed furrow, the canyon and coral formations run straight and true. *Tackle Box Cannons If you want photographs of divers in tunnel mouths or descending through gaps in cavern roofs, Tackle Box Canyons is your dive site. Named after the Tackle Box bar that used to be situated directly onshore (now Shark's Bar), this site features several deep, narrow canyons with vertical walls.
Central and Southern Belize
* Goff's Caye
* Rendevous Caye
* Tobacco Caye
Great spur and grove formations just east of the island.
* South Water Caye
Marine Reserve Belize's largest marine reserve.
* Silk Cayes
Home to the world's largest population of whale sharks during the months of February to May.
* Gladden Spit *
Laughingbird Caye Belize's smallest marine reserve.
* Sapodilla Cayes
Coral Atolls Belize boasts three offshore atolls: Turneffe Atoll, Glover's Reef and Lighthouse Reef. Together they easily provide over a hundred dive and snorkeling sites for the adventurous visitor. Turneffe Atoll, the largest of three atolls found in Belize, is 30 miles long. The water dept measures between 55 and 65 feet. Glover's Reef, which is most south of the three, is often overlooked. It has a diameter of some 40 miles with over 700 shallow patch reefs in its interior. And the Lighthouse Reef is the farthest from the mainland but unlike Glover's Reef gets plenty of visitors. Depth near the reef is around 9 feet.
Snorkeling areas are Bat Brook Shallows and Billy Bob's Shallows.
Glover's Reef Diving Sites
*Octopus Alley *Manta Reef *Hole in the Wall *Parrotfish Falls *Shark Point *Gorgonia Gallery *Long Caye Cut *Turtle Tavern *Dolphin Dance
With the numerous patch reefs this is a great place for snorkeling as well.
Lighthouse Reef Diving Sites
*The Great Blue Hole *Manta Wall *The Zoo *Cathedral *Half Moon Wall
The waters off Hat Caye are great for snorkeling.
Protected Areas Much of Belize's marine system, from north to south, is protected with many falling under the category of World Heritage Sites. This means that these areas and their inhabitants cannot be destroyed or harmed in any way. Care must be taken when on dives not to touch corals or increase sedimentation onto them. These sites also make for great snorkeling and diving areas.
The Belize Barrier Reef
Bacalar Chico Park and Marine Reserve
Hol Chan Marine Reserve
Blue Hole National Park
Half Moon Caye
Glover's Reef
South Water Caye Marine Reserve
Laughing Bird Caye
Sapodilla Caye
Port Honduras
BELIZE ALSO HAS WRECK DIVING
Belize provides few wreck dive opportunities because many wrecked ships actually lodged atop the reef system above water. There is also little chance of finding valuables. Anything you find of value belongs to the state and cannot be kept. A couple underwater wrecks are: *Sayonara in Turneffe Atoll - This was a transport boat sitting at 45 feet below the surface.
* HMS Advice in Turneffe Atoll - This is the wreck of a British naval cutter which sunk to 16 feet on June 1, 1793.
DIVE COURSES
Various levels of dive courses include discover scuba programs, refresher courses, open water and advance open water courses. Certification is available for PADI, NAUII and in some areas NITROX diving.
Whether for the first time diver or the experienced diver; diving here will be a great experience. If:
* you are already certified, be sure to bring your C card;
* you want to do your open water certification, be sure to bring the paperwork from your previous training;
* you want to be fully certified and have about a week, be prepared to read your manuals and do classes daily;
* you've never dove before and want to see what it's like ask about a Resort Course which will teach you to use the equipment in safe and supervised depths of no more than 20-30 feet.
In case of dive emergencies, San Pedro, Ambergris Caye has a Hyperbaric Chamber which is accessible to dive operators 24 hours a day. A $1US per tank insurance fee is charged by most dive shops to cover the use of the chamber in the event of such an emergency. The medical staff has over 15 years experience.
Hyperbaric Chamber Contact Information
San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye
Tel: 011-501-226-2851
Fax: 011-501-226-2852
Dive Course instructors are required to be certified dive instructors or dive masters before teaching dive classes. Many resorts have PADI certified instructors. To get the most from your dive vacation, especially if you will be diving 2-3 times per day it will help to be in good physical condition. Alcohol and diving don't mix so be sure to limit alcoholic intake the night before and the day of diving. Bring your own snorkel and diving equipment for a perfect fit. However, dive shops will rent mask, snorkel, and fins averaging $5-$15/day. Ask about the experience of your tour guide or qualification of your dive instructor before any commitments. Bring along a waterproof camera and lots of film. Underwater photography will be a must.
Divers -
Lightweight lycra dive suits or nylon "skins" work fine. They keep you warm on a night dive but for most dives, a swimsuit is adequate. If you need more insulation 1/16 inch suits should be the most you should need. Don't leave home without your dive certification card if you have one.
Snorkelers -
There are thousands of snorkeling sites of varying depths. If you've never snorkeled before it is a good idea to try your equipment in water you can stand in first. If you're uncomfortable, try using a life jacket for added assurance. Just remember to breathe steadily through your mouth - once you get a glimpse of what lies beneath the waves it'll come naturally.
