Tucked into the western edge of the Caribbean between Mexico and Guatemala, Belize is a bit out of the way. But whether you head there on your own boat or arrive by air, it offers some of the best water, and most inviting diving spots, in the world.
Indeed, Belize has more than 450 islands, plus the second longest barrier reef in the world and three of the four coral atolls in the Western hemisphere. It’s a diver’s paradise, with drop sites inside and outside the reef for both new and certified divers.
The cerulean water is clear and warm; visibility is usually hundreds of feet. And you won’t have to wait long to find some of the area’s vibrant marine life – including corals, sharks, turtles, stingrays, and a lot of fish. Here are just a few of the best spots to visit:
The Elbow, at the southern tip of Turneffe Atoll (pictured above), is an advanced divers’ hotspot with lots of eagle rays and a thriving marine community. With depths of 60 to 100 feet, you can see some of the largest Gorgonian fan corals, as well as hammerhead sharks and manta rays.
The country’s most famous landmark is the Blue Hole just off Ambergris Caye, one of the greatest geological wonders of the world. It’s a huge ring of coral around an underwater sinkhole, about 1,000 feet in diameter and 300 feet deep, a collapsed cave system probably formed above ground 10,000 years ago at the end of the last Ice Age. The vertical dive will take you past a range of rare fish (and some Caribbean reef sharks) and stalactites not found near the surface.
Way down south, Glover’s Reef is at the most remote atoll in Belize. Glover’s Reef Marine Reserve is filled with dramatic pinnacles, and ring-shaped coral reefs circle the pristine lagoon. A spectacular spot for marine biodiversity, the atoll’s lagoon is home to three species of sea turtles, eight species of sharks, and hundreds of species of fish, including the Nassau Grouper. The reef originally was inhabited by the Mayans. It is named after John and Rodger Glover, English pirates who may (or may not) have buried their treasure there.
Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve is on the southernmost tip of Belize Barrier Reef; you can book a local guide in Punta Gorda, a two-plus-hour boat ride away. It’s well worth the trip, with idyllic sand beaches, mangrove islands and five kinds of corals, three marine turtle species, and lots of fish – jack, angelfish, parrotfish, and lots more. If you want to relax, head to Hunting Caye, one of Belize’s most beautiful beaches.
Read more: http://travelbelize.org
