Belize Weather In June: Sunny And Warm

June marks the start of the wet season in Belize, with occasional rainfall and brief afternoon thunderstorms. Despite this, there is still plenty of sun, with average highs of 84°F (28°C) on the coast and 88°F (31°C) inland. The sea temperature is ideal for swimming, snorkelling and diving, and the weather is perfect for exploring Belize's ancient Mayan sites and lush rainforests. With hundreds of islands and a long Caribbean coastline, June is also a great time to visit Belize for its fishing culture and lobster festivals.

Sunny days and clear skies

Although June marks the start of the wet season in Belize, it's still a great month to visit. You can expect sunny days and clear skies, with occasional rain showers that help to cool things off. The average daytime temperature is 88°F (31°C), with lows of 82°F (27°C) at night. The humidity is high, at around 80%, so it can feel muggy. But the constant trade winds and brief afternoon thunderstorms keep the temperature pleasant.

With its mix of sun and rain, June is a great month to explore Belize's natural beauty and vibrant culture. The warm waters and excellent visibility make it an ideal time for snorkelling and diving adventures along the Belize Barrier Reef. It's also a perfect time to hike in the jungle, with many trails leading to refreshing waterfalls. And if you're a food lover, June is the time to indulge in the country's luscious summer fruits, including mangoes, mamey, guava, and golden plums.

For those who want to experience Belize's ancient history, June's hot weather is perfect for visiting historic Mayan sites. Just be sure to go early in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid the midday heat. Sites like Xunantunich, Caracol, and Lamanai offer a fascinating glimpse into the Mayan culture.

So, if you're looking for a mix of sun, culture, and adventure, June is a great month to visit Belize. Don't forget to pack your sunscreen, light clothing, and a rain jacket!

Rainfall and thunderstorms

June marks the start of the wet season in Belize, so rainfall and thunderstorms are common. However, this doesn't mean that the weather is constantly rainy, and there is still plenty of sunshine to be enjoyed. Rainfall often comes in the form of brief afternoon thunderstorms, which help to cool things off and wash away the humidity. The average rainfall in June is around 8-9 inches, but it can vary from year to year.

The rain doesn't deter the lively vibe in Belize City, with its charming streets and markets remaining vibrant even during the wet season. The country's largest amount of rainfall usually occurs in June or early July, but this is punctuated by a break in rainfall known as the "little dry" in late July or August. The wet season is also hurricane season, but Belize doesn't typically experience many major direct hits. However, it does receive its share of severe tropical weather with high winds and rain.

Despite the rain, June is a great month to visit Belize as it offers the opportunity to enjoy thrilling outdoor activities, explore ancient history, and experience the country's vibrant culture. The warm waters and excellent visibility make it an ideal time for snorkelling and diving adventures along the Belize Barrier Reef. It's also a fantastic time to spot exotic wildlife, as the increase in flowers and food sources during the wet season means that birds and animals come out more.

Wildlife spotting

June marks the beginning of Belize's wet season, with the year's highest rainfall. However, the country still experiences plenty of sunny weather, gorgeous beaches, and fantastic food. The daytime temperature averages between 82 and 86°F (28-30°C), and the night-time temperature averages 78°F (26°C). The cooling rain showers and trade winds from the Caribbean make the weather ideal for swimming, sailing, snorkelling, or simply relaxing on the beach.

Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Preserve

The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary is the only known jaguar preserve in the world. It is located in the Stann Creek district and is easily accessible from the Southern Highway. The best time to spot a jaguar is during an evening guided tour. If night hiking isn't for you, there are plenty of other animals to see during the day, including pumas, margays, ocelots, kajous, deer, peccaries, and tapirs.

Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary

This sanctuary is Belize's first government-designated wildlife reserve and is a vast wetland area packed with thrilling birdlife. The Jabiru Stork, with a wingspan of up to 12 feet, is the most famous resident. The sanctuary spans 16,400 acres and includes over 3,000 acres of lagoons, swamps, and marshes. You can take a canoe to get a closer look at crocodiles, iguanas, turtles, coatis, and, depending on the time of year, the jabiru stork. The peak season for birdwatching is during the dry season from November to May, but you are likely to see 20 to 40 different species on any given day.

Belize Zoo

Dubbed 'The world's Best Little Zoo' by locals, the Belize Zoo is located about an hour away from Belize City. The zoo cares for orphaned, rehabilitated, and rescued animals. Here, you can meet Lindo the jaguar, Cortland the Margay, and the famous tapir, Sparks. The zoo also offers interactive tours where you can get one-on-one supervised time with the animals.

Green Iguana Conservation Project

Located in the adventure hub of San Ignacio, the Green Iguana Conservation Project aims to conserve and protect the endangered Green Iguana species. They use interactive exhibits and programs to educate visitors about the incubation, hatching, rearing, and releasing process of these reptiles. Visitors have the opportunity to interact with the iguanas and learn about their conservation.

Gladden Spit Marine Reserve

During the months of March to June, divers head to the Gladden Spit Marine Reserve, located about 30 miles east of Placencia, in pursuit of whale sharks. Whale sharks can grow up to 60 feet long and weigh 50,000 pounds. Even if you don't spot a whale shark, you can still enjoy the reserve's spectacular underwater life.

Community Baboon Sanctuary

Located in the village of Bermudian Landing in the Belize district, this sanctuary is home to thousands of howler monkeys. These monkeys are not kept in cages; instead, the sanctuary spans over 20 miles, with over 200 private landowners in seven villages voluntarily conserving their land to protect the Black Howler Monkey habitat.

Lobster festivals

June marks the beginning of the wet season in Belize, with the year's highest rainfall of 258mm (10.16")). The temperature drops slightly, giving some relief from the intense heat of previous months. The average high-temperature is 31.3°C (88.3°F) and the average low-temperature is 24.7°C (76.5°F). The sea retains its warmth, and the lively vibe continues in the city streets and markets.

June is also the start of lobster season in Belize, which runs from 15 June to 15 February. This is celebrated with Lobster Festivals in four parts of the country: Belize City, the northern cayes to the southern coast: Caye Caulker, San Pedro, and Placencia. These festivals are held over long weekends, with plenty of outdoor food booths serving lobster cooked in a variety of ways, from grilled lobster to lobster curry and lobster ceviche. There are also wacky beauty pageants, drinks, reggae and Belizean music concerts, and all-day and night beach parties.

Caye Caulker is the birthplace of the Belizean Lobster Festival and takes its Miss Lobsterfest pageant very seriously. San Pedro's Lobster Festival is one of the biggest and most extravagant, with many establishments offering free live music and discounted drinks and lobster. Placencia is known for having the best beaches in Belize and its Lobster Festival is considered by some to be better than San Pedro or Caye Caulker.

Snorkelling and diving

Belize is known for its world-class snorkelling and diving, with the country's waters offering the ideal conditions for beginners and experienced divers alike. The warm, clear waters are rich with marine life, and the country's many islands, sandy beaches, and coral reefs provide ample opportunities for exploration.

Belize is home to the largest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere, stretching 185 miles and offering divers and snorkelers a chance to explore vibrant coral gardens and encounter diverse marine life, including nurse sharks, rays, turtles, and dolphins. The country's three atolls—Turneffe, Glover's Reef, and Lighthouse Reef—also offer unique diving and snorkelling experiences. Turneffe, the largest of the three, is known for its varied features, including shallow reefs, wrecks, and an abundance of sea life. Glover's Reef, located off the southern coast of Belize, is renowned for its pristine corals and abundant marine life, while Lighthouse Reef is home to the famed Great Blue Hole, a massive limestone sinkhole that was explored by Jacques Cousteau.

For those seeking more secluded spots, Belize's southern reefs, such as Long Caye Wall and Octopus Alley, offer world-class snorkelling and diving with fewer crowds and more diverse biology. And for a truly unforgettable experience, a trip to Gladden Spit between March and June offers the chance to dive with whale sharks, the largest species of fish.

Belize's snorkelling and diving spots are easily accessible, with boat rides usually under two hours. Half-day and full-day dive tours are available, as well as live-aboard boats that offer week-long trips with multiple daily dives, including night dives. The Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley in Ambergris are also popular spots, offering novice divers and snorkelers the chance to explore a vibrant underwater world just 30 meters below the surface.

Whether you're a seasoned diver or a beginner, Belize's warm waters, diverse marine life, and range of snorkelling and diving sites make it an ideal destination for your next underwater adventure.

Frequently asked questions