Belize's Diving Scene: Exploring The Safe Haven Beneath The Waves

Belize is a world-class scuba diving destination, boasting the largest barrier reef in the Northern Hemisphere and the second-largest reef system in the world. The country's warm, tropical climate, calm waters, and abundance of wildlife make it a great choice for divers of all skill levels.

Belize's barrier reef is approximately 300 kilometres or 190 miles long and is home to over 1400 species of marine life, including endangered hawksbill turtles, manatees, and six threatened species of shark. The country also features three stunning coral atolls, providing divers with a diverse range of environments to explore.

The peak season for scuba diving in Belize is between April and June, coinciding with the arrival of whale sharks in Placencia in the south. However, the country offers favourable diving conditions year-round, with warm waters and good visibility.

Belize's most famous dive site is the Blue Hole, ranked as one of the best dives in the world. This collapsed limestone cavern is over 300 metres wide and 125 metres deep, featuring underwater formations like undercuts and stalactites. While the Blue Hole is a popular attraction, it is recommended for advanced divers only due to its depth.

Other notable dive sites in Belize include Half Moon Caye, Ambergris Caye, Turneffe Atoll, and Hol Chan Marine Reserve. Each of these locations offers unique features, such as vibrant coral reefs, mangrove forests, and the opportunity to interact with a variety of marine life, including sharks, rays, and turtles.

In addition to its underwater attractions, Belize offers a range of topside activities, such as rainforest walks, cave exploring, visiting Mayan temples, and bird watching. The country's accessibility, favourable weather, and diverse diving opportunities make it a popular choice for divers from around the world.

Belize's Blue Hole

The Blue Hole was formed during several phases of the Quaternary glaciation when sea levels were much lower. Analysis of stalactites found in the Blue Hole shows that formation took place 153,000, 66,000, 60,000, and 15,000 years ago. As the ocean began to rise again, the cave was flooded. The Blue Hole is part of the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The site was made famous by Jacques Cousteau, who declared it one of the top five scuba diving sites in the world. It is now a popular destination for recreational scuba divers. However, due to its depth, the Blue Hole is only recommended for advanced divers. Divers need at least an Open Water or Advanced Open Water diving certification to explore its depths.

In 1997, an expedition was conducted to collect core samples from the Blue Hole's floor and document the cave system. All of the divers had to be certified in cave diving and mixed gases. Another expedition in 2018, led by Richard Branson and joined by Fabien Cousteau (Jacques Cousteau's grandson) and oceanographer Erika Bergman, aimed to map the interior of the Blue Hole using sonar scanning. This expedition discovered a layer of hydrogen sulfide at a depth of approximately 300 feet (91 m), below which the water becomes dark, anoxic, and devoid of life. Sadly, the crew also discovered the bodies of two divers who had gone missing.

Despite the lack of marine life in its depths, the Blue Hole remains a bucket-list dive site for many, offering a unique opportunity to explore a massive underwater sinkhole with stunning stalactites.

Best time to dive

Belize is a great destination for scuba diving, with warm waters and good visibility all year round. However, there are certain times of the year that are considered the best for diving.

April to June is generally regarded as the peak season for scuba diving and tourism in Belize. This is when the whale sharks arrive in Placencia in the south, and it's also the best time to see whale sharks in Belize's tropical waters. The rainy season starts in June, but showers are usually short and don't affect the visibility of offshore sites. The water temperature is also at its warmest from June to November, ranging from 79-84°F (26-29°C).

April to June is also when general tourist crowds start to die down, and prices for flights and accommodation are more affordable than during the peak season of December to April.

If you're looking for fewer tourists and more affordable prices, the rainy season from June through November could be a good time to visit. While you may experience a bumpier boat ride, you can still expect good visibility at offshore dive sites, and there are often deals on flights, hotels, and dive operators during these months.

Overall, the best time to dive in Belize depends on your preferences. If you want to see whale sharks and have good visibility, April to June is ideal. If you're looking for warmer waters and cheaper prices, June through November could be a better option.

Diving conditions

Belize is a world-class scuba diving destination, with diving conditions that are good year-round. The water temperature is a fairly consistent 79 to 84°F (26-29°C) all year round, with little difference in visibility or water temperature. The rainy season runs from June to November, but showers are generally short and the visibility at offshore sites isn't usually affected. March, October and November can be windy.

The best time to dive in Belize is generally considered to be between April and June, which is also the peak season for tourism in Belize. This is when the whale sharks arrive in Placencia in the south. April to June offers the best visibility, and it's also whale shark season. Whale shark season is March to May, and many divers consider this the best time overall for a visit.

The water temperatures range from the high 70s (Fahrenheit) from December to April, and the low 80s from May to November. Visibility is generally very good, at 40-80ft. The depth range is 16 - >131 ft (5 - >40m).

Belize has some of the Western Hemisphere's most impressive scuba diving. It is home to the second-largest barrier reef in the world, which stretches over 190 miles in length. The reef has 400 cayes, 3 atolls, and 7 marine reserve areas, which make up a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Belize Barrier Reef is part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, which is one of the planet's most impressive barrier reef systems, second only in size to the Great Barrier Reef of Australia. The Mesoamerican Reef is home to more than 500 fish species, 60 coral species, 350 molluscs, marine mammals, algae and seagrass. Critically endangered species can be found here, too, including saltwater crocodiles, green, hawksbill, and loggerhead sea turtles, Nassau and goliath grouper, and the largest population of manatees in the western Caribbean.

Belize is one of the few places in the world where you can scuba dive with whale sharks (not just snorkel).

The Blue Hole is Belize's most famous dive site, currently ranked as one of the world's best dives. It is a huge marine sinkhole in Lighthouse Atoll, attracting divers from around the world. It is over 400ft deep and 1,000ft wide. It requires a long boat ride to get to and some divers find the dive boring. It is recommended for advanced divers only due to the depth.

Belize is a great destination for beginner divers but also offers some exciting dive sites for more advanced divers.

Top liveaboards

Belize is a safe diving destination, with warm waters and good visibility all year round. The best time to visit is between April and June, when the whale sharks arrive in Placencia.

Belize Aggressor III

The Belize Aggressor III offers week-long trips departing every Saturday throughout the year. Divers can explore the underwater world up to five times a day and can expect to encounter dolphins, eagle rays, tarpon, and various shark species. The yacht accommodates 18 guests in nine deluxe staterooms. Onboard highlights include a hot tub and wet bar.

Belize Aggressor IV

The Belize Aggressor IV offers divers easy access to the underwater wonders of Belize, also departing every Saturday throughout the year. Guests can dive up to five times per day, including night dives. The itinerary takes in some of the most unique dive sites in the Caribbean, including Turneffe Atoll, Painted Wall, Half Moon Cay, Quebrada, and the famous Great Blue Hole. The yacht accommodates 20 guests.

Scuba diving courses

Scuba diving in Belize is considered to be some of the best in the world. The Belize Barrier Reef is the world's largest double barrier reef, and the second-largest reef system in the world. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Belize is a great place to learn to scuba dive, with warm, clear waters and a huge variety of coral and fish. There are many scuba diving schools in Belize, offering courses for beginners and more advanced divers.

Discover Scuba Diving (DSD)

This course is perfect for beginners who want to try scuba diving without committing to a full certification course. It includes a short video introduction, a pool lesson to get comfortable with the equipment, and then a dive on the Belize Barrier Reef.

PADI Open Water Certification Course

The world's most popular scuba course, this is a great option for beginners. It can be completed in as little as 3 days and certifies divers to rent equipment and dive up to depths of 60ft (18m). The course includes classroom work, pool sessions, and individual dives.

PADI Open Water Referral Course

This course is for those who have completed the confined water modules and written tests with a different instructor and now need their open water certification dives. It includes four open water dives in a tropical ocean environment with a certified PADI instructor.

PADI E-Learning Open Water Course

This is the same popular certification as above but completed online, allowing divers to maximise their time in Belize by completing the academic work from home.

PADI Scuba Diver Course

The first step towards the diving lifestyle, this course can be completed in as little as two days. It certifies divers to dive up to 40ft (12m) under the direct supervision of a PADI Professional. It includes videos and lectures, pool work, and two dives towards certification on the Belize Barrier Reef.

Advanced Open Water Certification

For those who are already Open Water certified and want to take the next step. This course comprises five additional advanced dives (deep dive, underwater navigation, buoyancy, night dive, etc.) and certifies divers to dive down to 100ft. It can be completed in two days and includes some coursework.

Other Certifications

Other more advanced certifications, such as Rescue Diver and Divemaster, are also available, along with specialty courses like Enriched Air Diver and Digital Underwater Photography.

When to Take a Scuba Diving Course in Belize

Belize has a tropical climate with warm temperatures all year round. The dry season from December to May is the best time to visit, as there is less rain and a lower likelihood of impaired visibility due to overcast conditions. April to June is the peak season for scuba diving and tourism in Belize, and April to June is also the best time for whale shark season.

Frequently asked questions