Exploring Belize's Barrier Reef: A Travel Guide

The Belize Barrier Reef is a series of coral reefs that run parallel to the country's entire coastline, stretching roughly 300 metres (980 ft) offshore in the north and 40 kilometres (25 mi) in the south. It is the second-largest coral reef system in the world and a hugely popular tourist destination for diving, snorkelling, sailing and fishing. The reef is home to a diverse range of marine life, including sea turtles, rays, eels, nurse sharks, goliath groupers, dolphins and manatees. It is also an important site for scientific research, with only 10% of the reef currently investigated. In this article, we will explore the different ways to access the Belize Barrier Reef and provide an overview of the best times to visit.

Flying to Belize

Belize City is served by several airports, including Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport (BZE), which is 8 miles from the city centre, Caye Caulker Airport (20 miles from the city centre), and Belize City Municipal Airport (TZA), which is just 1 mile from downtown.

There are 10 airlines that fly into Belize City: Maya Island Air, Tropic Air, American Airlines, United, Delta, United Airlines, and five others. Flights to Belize City are available from over 200 airports worldwide.

The cheapest prices for return flights to Belize City in the last seven days were $320, with one-way flights available from $130.

When flying to Belize City, it's important to keep in mind what you can and cannot pack in your hand luggage. All liquids, gels, and creams must be in containers no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) and must fit inside a clear, quart-size (one-litre) zip-lock bag. Sharp objects, such as pocket knives, are not allowed on board and will be confiscated at security. It's also a good idea to wear comfortable and lightweight clothing and shoes, as well as staying hydrated and moving around during the flight to prevent deep vein thrombosis.

Travel by boat

Water taxis and boat charters are the main way to get around Belize's numerous cayes. Water taxis make regular trips between Belize City, Caye Caulker, and San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. There are also daily charters between Porto Barrios in Guatemala and Punta Gorda, as well as Chetumal in Mexico and San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.

If you're looking to get to Lighthouse Reef Atoll, Glover's Reef Atoll, or Southwater Caye Marine Reserve, you can contact tour operators directly to plan your route and adventure in Belize.

Boat charters are also a great way to get to the hard-to-reach places in Belize, including Lighthouse Reef, Glover's Reef, remote Mayan villages, and the islands in the Southwater Caye Marine Reserve.

For those looking for a self-propelled adventure, sea kayak rental trips are also available to explore the Belize Barrier Reef.

Diving and Snorkelling

The Belize Barrier Reef is considered one of the world's best snorkelling and diving destinations. It is the second-largest coral reef system in the world, stretching about 190 miles (300 km) parallel to Belize's entire coastline. The reef is home to hundreds of species of fish, shellfish, turtles, and innumerable other sea creatures.

Some of the best spots to snorkel and dive in Belize include:

• Placencia Reef
• Caye Caulker Marine Reserve
• Hol Chan Marine Reserve
• The Blue Hole
• The Outer Atolls (Turneffe, Lighthouse, and Glover's)
• Laughing Bird Caye North, Laughing Bird Caye National Park
• Silk Caye, Silk Caye, and Gladden Spit Marine Reserve
• Billy Hawk Caye, Southwater Caye Marine Reserve
• Carrie Bow Caye, Southwater Caye Marine Reserve

Scuba diving

Most scuba diving in Belize is done from boats that leave Caye Caulker, Ambergris Caye, or Placencia, heading towards the local barrier reef. Belize also offers liveaboard options, which provide unparalleled access to the underwater world. Here are some of the best scuba diving spots in Belize:

• The Great Blue Hole: This natural wonder of the underwater world is a giant marine sinkhole located near Lighthouse Reef. It is about 70km (a 3-hour boat ride) from the mainland and offers a dramatic contrast of dark blue deep waters and the turquoise shallow reefs.
• Half Moon Caye: This island, with its pearly white sand and long palm trees, offers a perfect sanctuary for a short surface interval after diving at the Blue Hole. The surrounding marine environment features some of the most beautiful marine fauna and flora, with visibility of over 20 meters.
• Glover's Atoll: This isolated atoll is part of the Glover's Reef Marine Reserve and boasts clear waters year-round due to minimal sedimentation or pollution from the coast. Manta Rays, eagle rays, Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, and green sea turtles are commonly spotted here.
• Hol Chan Marine Reserve: Located just off the coast of Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye, this protected area is home to a thriving marine ecosystem. Strong currents prevail, but the dives are relatively shallow and snorkel-friendly.
• Shark Ray Alley: This shallow sand plateau on the inside wall of the Belize Barrier Reef is a popular destination for swimming with sharks and stingrays.
• Turneffe, Lighthouse, and Glovers Atolls: These three of the four true atolls in the world provide divers with spectacular wall dives and a unique marine environment.
• South Water Caye Marine Reserve: One of the largest marine reserves in Belize, located near the southern border with Guatemala. It offers incredible wall dives and the opportunity to swim with whale sharks during the right time of year.

The best time to visit Belize for scuba diving is during the dry season, from November to April, which is considered the low season with fewer tourists and better deals. However, Belize's subtropical weather means that the water is warm year-round, and diving is possible at any time.

Snorkelling

The Belize Barrier Reef is the ultimate destination for a tropical snorkelling adventure. Stretching about 190 miles (300 km) parallel to Belize's coastline, it is the second-largest coral reef system in the world and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. The reef is dotted with hundreds of small islands (cayes) and is known for its spectacular corals and abundant marine life.

There are many popular snorkelling spots in Belize, but most require a boat to access. The most popular place to start is the little town of San Pedro on Ambergris Caye, where the reef is very close and the underwater visibility is good. Some recommended snorkelling spots in this area include Shark Ray Alley, Hol Chan Cut, Tres Cocos, and Mexico Rocks.

If you're looking for something a little less touristy, Caye Caulker is a good option. From there, you can access the Caye Caulker Marine Reserve section of the reef, which has no crowds and is just as good as, if not better than, other spots.

For those seeking a more remote experience, the three offshore atolls of Lighthouse Reef, Turneffe Atoll, and Glover's Reef offer great snorkelling but require a long boat ride to reach. Lighthouse Reef is home to the famous Blue Hole, one of the most iconic dive spots in the world. However, some experienced snorkelers suggest skipping it. Half Moon Caye, also located within Lighthouse Reef, is another great snorkelling spot with shallow waters perfect for snorkelers. Glover's Reef, the most southern atoll, is surrounded by a reef with a shallow interior dotted with coral heads. You could spend weeks exploring this area, and there are a few rustic resorts on the atoll.

If you're looking for a unique way to snorkel the offshore atolls, consider a liveaboard snorkelling trip or a private catamaran charter.

When planning your trip, keep in mind that the dry season in Belize is from November to May, and it is generally the best time to visit and snorkel the reef. However, the wet season (May/June to November) offers fewer crowds and lower prices.

To protect the fragile coral reefs, it is recommended to wear a lightweight wetsuit or a spandex/lycra dive suit instead of applying sunscreen, as sunscreen residues can harm corals and cause bleaching.

Swimming

The Belize Barrier Reef is the second-largest coral reef system in the world, and one of the most popular tourist destinations for swimming, diving, snorkelling, sailing, and fishing. The reef runs about 190 miles (300 km) parallel to Belize’s coastline, and is home to a diverse ecosystem of plants and animals.

Turneffe Atoll, one of three atolls in the Belize Barrier Reef, is a great place to swim and discover colourful marine life in sheltered waters. The warm and clear waters around the atoll allow swimmers to often see the bottom of the sandy seabed. The atoll is 50km long and 10km wide, and is regarded as the most biologically diverse coral atoll in the hemisphere. The waters are home to many different types of fish, lobster, conch, and other invertebrates.

Swimmers should have a basic understanding of open-water swimming and be able to complete an average swim distance of around 2.5km. The average daily swim distance is around 5km.

Frequently asked questions