Belize Diving: Expert Opinions

Belize is a scuba diving destination that caters to divers of all skill levels, from novices to seasoned divers. The Belize Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the largest reef systems in the world, second only to Australia's Great Barrier Reef. With over 400 cayes, 3 atolls, and 7 marine reserve zones, it offers a diverse range of dive sites to explore.

The Great Blue Hole, a natural wonder made famous by Jacques Cousteau, is a must-dive site for many. This giant marine sinkhole, located near Lighthouse Reef, is known for its dramatic contrast of dark blue deep waters and turquoise shallow reefs. While the Blue Hole itself has limited marine life due to its depth, the surrounding reefs are teeming with blacktip reef sharks, nurse sharks, eagle rays, and a variety of Caribbean fish.

Beyond the Blue Hole, Belize offers pristine marine ecosystems with warm, clear waters and uncrowded dive sites. The Mesoamerican Reef, of which Belize is a part, boasts an incredible diversity of corals, fish species, molluscs, marine mammals, and algae. It is also home to critically endangered species such as saltwater crocodiles, sea turtles, and manatees.

Belize's diving conditions are consistent year-round, with good visibility and comfortable water temperatures. The country's small size makes it easy to explore multiple atolls and dive sites, even during a short visit. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced diver, Belize has something to offer, with easy shore dives and more challenging sites like steep drop-offs and dramatic wall dives.

In addition to its underwater attractions, Belize also offers a range of topside activities, including rainforest walks, cave exploring, visiting Mayan temples, bird watching, and snorkelling. With its combination of world-class diving and cultural experiences, Belize is a unique and appealing destination for scuba diving enthusiasts.

The Blue Hole

Don't expect to find an abundance of aquatic life or coral down there, though. Instead, you will encounter massive stalactite formations that were formed over thousands of years. Since you will be heading down 130 feet underwater, the dive will not last much longer than 30 minutes, including a longer-than-usual safety stop.

5:30 AM: Registration at the Dive Shop

8:45 AM: Preparation & Blue Hole Dive

10:30 AM: Lighthouse Reef Dive #1

12:00 PM: Lighthouse Reef Dive #2

2:00 PM: Return to San Pedro

4:30 PM: Arrive in San Pedro

There are limited operators that organise day trips to the Great Blue Hole. If you decide to dive with a company that does not offer the trip, they will refer you to a company that does.

Note that since the Great Blue Hole is a more advanced dive and goes 130 feet underwater, not everyone can take part in the dive. Certain dive shops have different requirements, so be sure to check with them beforehand.

Ambergris Caye

The Hol Chan Marine Reserve, located just south of San Pedro, is one of the most popular and accessible dive sites. It features a natural cut in the reef that attracts a variety of fish, sharks, rays, turtles, and more. Other popular dive sites include Mexico Rocks, Tackle Box Canyon, Esmeralda, and Cypress Gardens.

The diversity of marine life in Ambergris Caye is impressive. Divers can expect to see colourful reef fish, majestic sharks and rays, turtles, dolphins, manatees, eels, lobsters, crabs, and more. The famous Great Blue Hole, located near Ambergris Caye, is a circular sinkhole that plunges to a depth of over 120 meters and hosts stalactites, stalagmites, and sharks. However, diving in the Blue Hole is recommended only for advanced divers due to its depth.

The dry season in Ambergris Caye, from December to May, is generally more popular with tourists and divers due to warmer and sunnier weather. The wet season, from June to November, is less busy and more affordable, but the weather can be rainy and windy, especially during the hurricane season. October and November are also the grouper mating season, when thousands of these fish gather at the cayes to spawn, providing a spectacular sight for divers.

Whale shark spotting

Belize is one of the few places in the world where you can scuba dive with whale sharks. Whale sharks are the largest fish in the world and one of the largest creatures alive today. Despite their size, they are remarkably gentle and curious.

The best place to spot whale sharks in Belize is at Gladden Spit Marine Reserve, about 26-30 miles off the coast of Placencia. Whale sharks are attracted to this area because it is a spawning site for many kinds of tropical fish, including cubera, mutton, and dog snappers, whose eggs the whale sharks feed on.

The best time to see whale sharks in Belize is between March and June, with the peak season being in April and May. The best sightings normally occur a few days after the full moon, so it is recommended to dive within the 10 days following the full moon to increase your chances.

The whale shark expeditions in Belize were founded by Brian Young Sr., owner of Seahorse Dive Shop, in the early 1990s. Young has spent many years studying the migration of these whale sharks, and although he no longer dives, he still captains the boat.

It is important to note that whale shark sightings cannot be guaranteed, as they are night feeders and their appearances are unpredictable. Additionally, conditions for diving can be rough and costly, as it is a long boat ride out to the Gladden Spit area. However, the opportunity to see whale sharks makes it well worth the effort and expense.

Hol Chan Marine Reserve

The reserve covers an area of approximately 18 square kilometres, including coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangrove forests. It's divided into four zones, each with its own unique attractions and rules:

Zone A is the most popular zone, where you can snorkel or dive in the channel and spot colourful corals, fish, stingrays, eels, and even sharks. This is the only zone dedicated to snorkelling and diving, so it can get quite busy.

Zone B is perfect for exploring seagrass beds and catching sight of turtles, manatees, and lobsters. Both commercial and sport fishing are allowed in this area with a license.

Zone C covers the mangrove swamps of southern Ambergris Caye. No commercial fishing is permitted in this zone, but sport fishing can be carried out with a license. Here, you can admire the mangrove islands and their inhabitants, such as crabs, birds, and crocodiles.

Zone D, also known as Shark Ray Alley, is a shallow, sandy-bottomed area inside the reef. It's a gathering place for sharks and stingrays, which are often fed by tour boats. While this practice is controversial, it does provide an opportunity to observe these creatures up close.

Whether you choose to snorkel or dive, Hol Chan Marine Reserve is an incredible underwater adventure. It's a place where you can witness the beauty and diversity of nature in a safe and respectful way. The reserve is also a conservation area, dedicated to protecting the biodiversity and health of the reef ecosystem. By visiting Hol Chan, you're supporting the local community's efforts to preserve this natural wonder for future generations.

Belize Barrier Reef

The Belize Barrier Reef is one of the largest reef systems in the world, second only to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Stretching 190 miles in length, it is longer than the country of Belize itself and was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. It is part of the larger Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, which spans 560 miles and is the Western Hemisphere's longest reef.

The Belize Barrier Reef is the world's largest double barrier reef, with one barrier reef formed outside another. There are only six of these in the world. It is comprised of 400 cayes, 3 atolls (Lighthouse, Glovers, and Turneffe), and 7 key marine reserve zones.

The reef is home to more than 500 species of fish and 100 species of coral. It is also home to the Great Blue Hole, a dream dive site for many scuba divers. At 1,043 feet wide and 407 feet deep, it is one of the largest sinkholes ever discovered. While there is not an abundance of aquatic life or coral in the Blue Hole, divers will encounter massive stalactite formations that were formed over thousands of years.

The Belize Barrier Reef offers a tremendous variety of dive sites. The conditions and variety of sites mean that Belize is suitable for all levels of divers. The visibility is usually fantastic, often stretching between 18-30m (60-100ft). Water temperatures are comfortable, ranging from 26-29ºC (79-84ºF).

The Hol Chan Marine Reserve is a popular dive site located 15 minutes away from San Pedro. It is packed with all types of marine life, and the dive is pretty shallow (25-30 feet), allowing for longer dive times of up to 60 minutes.

Another famous dive trip is the Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley combo. Shark Ray Alley is a snorkeler's paradise, with nurse sharks, Southern stingrays, and other animals gathering in the shallows.

The Elbow, located at the southern tip of Turneffe Atoll, is considered one of the best dive sites in Belize. It features a dramatic twist in the reef, dizzying drop-offs, and a variety of marine life, including squadrons of eagle rays, massive moray eels, groupers, and nurse sharks.

Glover's Reef is the most remote and least visited of Belize's coral atolls, located nearly 50 kilometres off the coast of Placencia. It boasts some of the country's most dramatic walls, with near-vertical drop-offs, caverns, overhangs, and towering pinnacles.

Placencia and Gladden Spit are the whale shark capital of Belize, with a reliable annual aggregation taking place between March and June.

With its incredible diversity of dive sites and access to hundreds of kilometres of pristine coral, the Belize Barrier Reef is a scuba diving mecca and a top destination for divers worldwide.

Frequently asked questions