Despite being one of the smallest and less populated countries of Central America, Belize is the homeland of the 2nd longest barrier reef in the world.
In 2012, Discovery Channel included it as the #1 destination within the list of the “10 most beautiful places on Earth”. This confirms why Scuba divers from all over the world visit Belize each year in order to dive and admire its underwater treasures.
Below are some of the reasons why you should try Scuba Diving in Belize:
The Great Blue Hole
This is one of the most popular scuba diving sites worldwide and an activity that the majority of tourists try while visiting Belize.
The Blue Hole of Belize is almost a perfect circle with a depth of 124m (407ft) and a length of 318m (1043ft).
This deep dive offers an unforgettable experience, as you can admire unique species such as the Caribbean Reef and Bull Sharks, corals, colorful anemones. But the eerie feeling comes when you dive even deeper in the caves where you can see huge stalagmites and stalactites.
San Pedro – Ambergris Caye
San Pedro is also among the most popular dive sites in Belize, mostly because of its beautiful underwater landscapes. It includes more than 200 cayes that form the coastline. It is an almost twenty-minute plane ride away from Belize City.
Some of the most visited sites are Love Tunnels, Tackle Box Canyons, and Ambergris Caye.
Despite being an exotic place, San Pedro does not lack any conveniences. There are enough restaurants, small shops, cafes, and bars to relax after a remarkable dive.
Meeting the Sharks
Swimming alongside the unique species of sharks is definitely a breath-taking experience. One of the best places to meet them is Shark Ray Alley, a shallow sandy plateau in the barrier reef.
In order to help you get the photos of your life, guide-divers drop seafood to lure sharks, rays and other fishes that happen to swim nearby. Is there a cooler selfie-photo other than one with a Caribbean Reef Shark? Shark Ray Alley is a great site for snorkeling as well.
Whale Sharks could not miss from our list, as they are a great attraction for tourists and divers. Their menus consist of mostly plankton, so you have nothing to be afraid of. Actually, whale sharks often approach divers and boats while offering an excellent opportunity to take a photo with them.
The best season and place to meet them is between April and June at ‘Gladden Spit”, the southern barrier reef.
The Barrier Reef
The Barrier Reef of Belize is the largest reef in the Earth’s western hemisphere. It shelters the interior cayes from south to north covering more than 190 miles (305km) of the coastline!
As a result, divers have unlimited options to explore the deep coral canyons that are built by elkhorn, corals, and staghorn. Some dive sites start in 45ft (13-14m) of water, but they can drop more than 90ft (27,5m).
The underwater wildlife includes a wide variety, from tiny tropical species to reef sharks, turtles, and rare white-spotted toadfish.
Dive in Hol Chan Marine Reserve
You can access this popular marine reserve with a short boat ride from Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye. It is located around Hol Chan Cut, a shallow and narrow passage in the barrier which leads to the lagoon.
Although the area is relatively small, it is among the most famous dive sites in Belize. This is because it is the natural habitat of more than 150 fish species, 40 types of corals, sea turtles, sponges, and marine mammals.
Lighthouse, Glover’s and Turneffe Atolls
These are 3 out of 4 real coral atolls in the western hemisphere. They are barrier reefs of circular shape surrounded by sandbars. They also have a dry area that makes a perfect side for diving.
Turneffe is the biggest of the 3 atolls and you can reach there by a boat ride shorter than an hour. Lighthouse Reef which includes the “Great Blue Hole” is the farthest from the mainland. Glover’s Reef is the most remote and less popular atoll, despite having over 50 miles (80km) of fringing reef.
Coral pinnacles, shallow coral gardens to vertical walls can guarantee that these atolls are worth visiting.
Countless Options to Scuba Dive in Belize
This list includes only some of the most beautiful sites that you can admire by Scuba Diving in Belize. It is worth mentioning that new dive sites are discovered regularly.
From the Great Blue Hole and the Cayes to Barrier Reef and the atolls, a scuba dive trip to Belize can offer a unique adventure you cannot easily find anywhere else!
Not to mention that a selfie with a Whale-shark or a Caribbean Reef Shark will be one of your best photos of your life!
Book your excursion with us today by clicking HERE and we will show you what Belize diving is all about!