DIVING, SNORKELING & WATER SPORTS
Home to the second-largest barrier reef in the world, the 185-mile-long Belize Barrier Reef beckons to diving and
snorkeling enthusiasts alike with pristine waters and exotic marine life. The importance of this underwater ecosystem
was recognized by UNESCO, which named seven areas within the reef World Heritage sites.
For divers and snorkelers, the waters off of Belize are a mesmerizing coral landscape of floating stingrays, frolicking
turtles and awe-inspiring sharks. Legendary oceanographer Jacques Cousteau named Belize “one of the four
must-dive locations on this blue planet,” and readers of Scuba Diving magazine agree. They ranked Belize the
second best overall dive destination in the Caribbean and Atlantic in 2013. Dive boats, training, certifications and
equipment are readily available.
Belize Barrier Reef
Second only to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef in size, the Belize Barrier Reef extends 185 miles along the entire
coast, from the northern tip of Ambergris Caye to Sapodilla Cayes in the southern region. Dives range from 30
feet to 90 feet, and there are thousands of snorkeling sites of varying depths along the reef. All levels of divers
and snorkelers are accommodated and underwater explorers will encounter nurse and reef sharks, hawksbill and
loggerhead turtles, parrotfish and endangered elkhorn and staghorn coral.
»» Location : Access from coastal destinations throughout Belize at varying distances
The Blue Hole
The Blue Hole, a circular sinkhole 1,000 feet in diameter and 412-feet deep, is Belize’s most famous diving spots
and a globally recognized underwater wonder—even visible from space. Recommended for advanced divers, this
UNESCO World Heritage site is home to some of the largest midnight parrotfish, spotted eagle rays, Caribbean
reef sharks and barracudas, as well as tunnels, caverns and stalactites reaching up to 130 feet. Dives go as deep
as 130 feet and best views of underwater life are found from 60 to 100 feet down near the lip of the crater.
»» Location : In the Lighthouse Reef Atoll, an approximate two-hour boat ride from Ambergris Caye or Caye
Caulker
The Atolls
In addition to Lighthouse Reef Atoll, where divers find the famous Blue Hole, two other true coral atolls are located
on the edge of Belize Barrier Reef. At Turneffe Islands Atoll, the Elbow wall is where divers encounter majestic eagle
rays, hammerhead sharks and hawksbill and loggerhead turtles. Glover’s Reef Atoll boasts a shallow lagoon with
vibrant coral patches.
»» Location : Turneffe Islands Atoll is just under 1 hour by boat from Belize City and there are a few resorts
within the islands. Glover’s Reef Atoll is 2.5 – 3 hours by boat from Belize City and also offers several resort
options
Hol Chan Marine Reserve
The barrier reef off of Ambergris Caye is home to Hol Chan (loosely translated from Mayan as “little channel”), a
protected marine reserve that does not allow anchoring, touching of coral or fishing, creating a pristine environment
for divers and snorkelers to explore. The depth is 30 feet and the current is strong but it’s worth it to see schools
of grouper, snapper and barracuda darting among the colorful coral. Nearby Shark Ray Alley allows snorkelers to
swim with sting rays and nurse sharks—a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
»» Location : Four miles south of San Pedro on Ambergris Caye, roughly 15 minutes by boat, or 30 minutes by
boat from Caye Caulker
South Water Caye Marine Reserve
The largest marine reserve in Belize features an
underwater cave with a 10-to-15-feet-wide mouth called
Hell Hole and beckons to divers and snorkelers with
impressive stalactites, stalagmites, moray eels, dolphins
and more. It’s also home to a Smithsonian research
facility. Island resorts in the area offer splendid off-thebeach
snorkeling.
»» Location : About 15 miles east of Dangriga off the
southern coast, roughly 45 minutes by boat
Gladden Spit
Massive whale sharks are the draw at Gladden Spit,
where divers and snorkelers alike are treated to the
awesome sight of seeing these creatures in their natural
spawning ground during the months of April, May and
June—with sightings also in the fall and winter.
»» Location : Due east of Placencia, a little over an
hour’s boat ride
Laughing Bird Caye
This national park encompasses more than 10,000
acres of protected sea and is accessible from Placencia.
Sandy beaches with picture-perfect palms, shallow
swimming areas and diving in the deep channels
around the caye provide myriad opportunities to view
exotic marine life.
»» Location : About a 45-minute boat ride from
Placencia
Port Honduras Marine Reserve
A marine reserve in the southern end of Belize
where seven jungle rivers converge, Port Honduras
encompasses 160 square miles of coastal waters and 135 mangrove islands. It’s a habitat for endangered West
Indian manatees and a favorite spot for snorkelers.
»» Location : Just north of Punta Gorda. Diving and snorkeling excursions can be arranged by local tour
operators
Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve
Snorkelers revel in the shallow-water reefs around the sandy mangrove cayes in this 48-square-mile preserve.
»» Location : About 40 miles east of Punta Gorda, roughly 1.5 hours by boat
CLIENT TIPS
• All travelers wishing to SCUBA dive must present an agency certification card (C-card) to prove they have
successfully completed dive training and are permitted to rent air tanks or obtain air fills.
• Qualified dive instructors are available in Belize for training and certification.
• Divers must wait 18 to 24 hours from their last dive before flying, so please plan accordingly.
OTHER WATER SPORTS
While the Belize Barrier Reef takes center stage—making this seaside paradise a favorite of SCUBA divers and
snorkelers—the crystal-clear Caribbean and inland waterways provide many options for enjoying other water sports.
For clients who love to soak up unique wet-and-wild experiences, Belize will delight and amaze.
River Tours
As water travels from the mountains through the jungles and limestone caves to the Caribbean Sea, it carves
glistening rivers and lagoons, propelling travelers through a moveable feast of jungle scenery and Maya wonders.
Guided river day trips and overnight excursions are readily available throughout Belize. The most popular
destination for river trips is the Cayo District.
Canoeing & Kayaking
Mopan River
A paddle through jungle
scenery and small villages
offers a glimpse into the quiet
everyday life of Belizeans.
»» Location : Cayo District
Cockscomb Basin Wildlife
Sanctuary
The sanctuary, which is a
jaguar reserve, provides a
glimpse of incredible wildlife,
including howler monkeys,
pumas, armadillos and
290 bird species, as visitors
explore the basin’s rivers.
»» Location : Stann Creek
Sibun River Basin
Thrills abound as kayakers experience limestone gorges and challenging rapids, as well as relax in pools at the
base of waterfalls.
»» Location : Cayo District
Cave Tubing
Inner tubes are the preferred mode of transportation as guided groups float in and out of Belize’s limestone caves,
an exhilarating experience. Best-known tours are along the Caves Branch River, Barton Creek Cave and Crystal
Cave in the Cayo District.
River Fishing
Lines are cast for tarpon, snook, jacks, groupers and cubera in the rivers and streams throughout Belize. Top
fishing spots in central Belize include Black Creek, Belize River, Sibun River, Manatee River and the waters around
Belize City. In southern Belize, anglers enjoy Deep River, Monkey River, Moho River, Rio Grande, Temash River and
Sarstoon River.