Explore Belize's Underwater World Without Snorkeling

Belize is a snorkelling paradise, with the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef – the second-largest reef in the world – running along its coastline. The country's crystal-clear waters, idyllic white beaches and year-round tropical climate make it a popular destination for water sports enthusiasts. While the continental coasts of Belize are edged with tropical forests and mangroves, the country's barrier reef, just a few miles off the coast, is a haven for marine life.

Belize's barrier reef is home to a diverse array of ecosystems, including atolls, mangrove forests, coastal lagoons and estuaries. The reef is estimated to host 36 species of soft coral, 70 species of hard coral, and nearly 500 species of fish. It is also common to spot sharks, rays, turtles, or West Indian manatees while snorkelling in Belize.

Some of the best snorkelling spots in Belize can be found near Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker. The Hol Chan Marine Reserve, located just 6km from Ambergris Caye, is a popular day trip for snorkellers. The reserve is divided into four zones, each with its own unique characteristics. Shark Ray Alley, located within the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, is another top spot for snorkelling in Belize. Here, you can see various species of sharks and rays up close.

Other notable snorkelling destinations in Belize include the Turneffe Reef Atoll, the Lighthouse Reef Atoll, and the Glover's Reef Atoll. These atolls offer the opportunity to spot turtles, whale sharks, and a diverse range of coral and fish species.

The Great Blue Hole

The site was made famous by Jacques Cousteau, who declared it one of the top five scuba diving sites in the world. It is a popular destination for recreational scuba divers making day trips from the coastal tourist communities in Belize. It is also a habitat for a variety of marine life, including nurse sharks, reef sharks, black tip sharks, and even giant groupers.

The Blue Hole is a challenging site to visit in just a day, as it is a three-hour boat ride from Caye Caulker. However, it is one of the world's most impressive natural sights and well worth planning a trip to Belize to see it.

Coral Gardens

Belize is known for its world-class snorkelling, with the second-largest reef in the world and clear waters. The best snorkelling spots are near Ambergris Caye or Caye Caulker, along the 600-mile-long Mesoamerican Reef.

The diversity of coral and sea fan species is a highlight of Coral Gardens. You can snorkel between different coral patches and see a variety of fish species, including French grunts, smallmouth grunts, Bermuda chub, sergeant majors, wrasse, and damselfish. If you're lucky, you might even spot some large parrotfish. The fire coral, with its small hairs and stinging cells, is also a unique feature.

To get to Coral Gardens, you must book a guided tour, which usually includes stops at neighbouring spots like Caye Caulker Shark Ray Alley and South Channel. Tours typically depart from the Caye Caulker pier or Ramon's Village dock and last about 2.5 hours, costing around $50 plus tax per person. Keep in mind that gear is usually not included in the price.

The journey to Caye Caulker itself can be made by boat from San Pedro (30 minutes) or Belize City (70 minutes). There are frequent boats in both directions, making it a convenient trip.

The Split

At The Split, you can walk right into the water and explore the underwater world at your leisure. This site is best on days with calm water, as fish can sometimes move too quickly through the channel when the water is moving fast. While the site isn't as lively as a coral reef, it is arguably the easiest place to snorkel since it requires no scheduling or pre-planning (beyond having a snorkel and mask to hand).

If there aren't many fish underwater, you can always head up to the bar and enjoy a fruity drink as you sit in the surf. But be ready to throw your snorkel back on if you get a peek of something colourful moving through the water.

In Caye Caulker's Split, you can explore the edge of the mangrove swamp, where the checkered puffer can be spotted.

Mexico Rocks

Snorkelling tours to Mexico Rocks typically depart from San Pedro and last about three hours, including a stop at another site such as Tres Cocos. The average price for a tour is US$45, with an additional US$10 entrance fee to the marine reserve. Tours usually include transportation, equipment, bottled water, and a guide. Mexico Rocks is a favourite among snorkellers and divers due to its abundance of marine life, coral reefs, and beginner-friendly conditions.

Turneffe Reef Atoll

Turneffe Atoll is the largest of the three atolls in Belize's Barrier Reef, located off the coast of Belize in Central America. It is approximately 30 miles long and 10 miles wide, making it the largest coral atoll in Belize and in the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System. The atoll was officially declared a marine reserve in 2012.

Turneffe Atoll is home to many threatened and commercially important marine species. The land and seascape consist of a network of flats, creeks, and lagoons dotted by more than 150 mangrove islands and higher cayes with savanna and littoral forest. The intact mangrove and seagrass habitat and shallows provide important nursery functions for a wide array of fish species, crocodiles, lobster, conch, and other invertebrates.

Turneffe Atoll is known for its superior flats fishing, diving, and snorkelling opportunities. It is home to more than 500 species of fish, 65 species of stony corals, sea turtles, manatees, dolphins, seabirds, and other wildlife. The atoll also features The Elbow, a primary dive site with a 30-metre drop-off into the deep blue waters below.

Turneffe Atoll is a popular destination for day-trippers, as it is only about 30 minutes by boat from Belize City. It is also a great place to spot turtles, as they are drawn to the rich waters created by the ecosystem of the Atoll. Additionally, lionfish are commonly found in the Atoll as they are hunted here as part of population control.

The entire 250-square-mile Turneffe Atoll is yours to explore, with pristine flats, healthy corals, and a rich variety of marine life. Turneffe is also a great place to combine world-class snorkelling with exciting and educational activities such as manatee, dolphin, crocodile, and birding tours.

Frequently asked questions