Belize's Best Diving Destinations

Belize is a world-class scuba diving destination, with over 400 islands, white sandy beaches, the longest unbroken barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere, and 298km of coastline. The best diving in Belize is found on the surrounding cayes, and no trip would be complete without a visit to the Blue Hole.

Belize is one of the few places in the world where you can scuba dive with whale sharks. It also offers a wide range of topside activities, including rainforest walks, cave exploring, visiting Mayan temples, bird watching, and snorkelling.

Most diving is done from boats that leave Caye Caulker, Ambergris Caye, or Placencia, heading for the local barrier reef. Belize is also known for its liveaboards, which offer unparalleled access to the underwater world.

The Great Blue Hole

The Blue Hole is considered an advanced dive, with divers descending to depths of 130-135 feet. The dive begins with a descent of 40 feet to a sandy limestone shelf that surrounds the Blue Hole. Divers are given a minute or two to descend and equalise, before being led to the drop-off point, where they will descend into the darkness. At around 60 feet, divers can see silhouettes of Caribbean Reef Sharks. As divers continue their descent, they will pass enormous stalactites that hang like chandeliers.

Ambergris Caye

The east side of the island, where San Pedro is located, is where most of the action happens. Here, you'll find resorts, hotels, and homes enjoying the cool sea breezes and gorgeous ocean and reef views. The west side of the island, meanwhile, is home to Secret Beach, with its calm, crystal-clear waters.

The island offers a range of accommodations, from smaller cabanas to luxury resorts and private rental homes, as well as a variety of dining options, including fresh ceviche, conch fritters, stone crab, and lobster.

With its natural beauty, diverse outdoor activities, nightlife, and sophisticated amenities, Ambergris Caye has something for everyone.

Half Moon Caye

The littoral forest, composed primarily of the orange-flowered siricote tree, provides a fragile and endangered habitat that supports one of the only viable breeding grounds for the red-footed booby colony in the western Caribbean. The booby colony supports the forest's stability by providing guano as fertiliser. It is also a habitat for the endemic Belize leaf-toed gecko and Allison's anole lizard. The southeastern part of the island serves as an annual sea turtle nesting ground from May to November for the loggerhead, hawksbill, and green turtles, all endangered species.

Most people do not stay on Half Moon Caye but instead take day trips from a dive resort. However, camping is an option, either by bringing your own gear and supplies or staying in safari-style canvas tents at Island Expedition's Marine basecamp. To get to Half Moon Caye, you'll need to fly into the Philip Goldson International Airport (BZE) near Belize City and then take a chartered boat to the island.

Hol Chan Marine Reserve

The reserve covers approximately three square miles (7.8 sq km) and is divided into four zones, each clearly marked by buoys. The entire reserve focuses on a cut through the reef, which is little more than 25 yards (about 23 m) wide and 30 feet (9 m) deep. The reserve was established in 1987 and is the oldest in Belize.

The reserve incorporates the southernmost marine and coastal areas of Ambergris Caye, including the barrier reef, seagrass beds, and the mangrove islands of Boca Chica and Cangrejo Shoals. A zoning scheme was developed to ensure sustainable use and guarantee conservation. Zone A includes the inside and outside of the reef (part of the Belize Barrier Reef). No fishing is allowed in this area, but snorkelling and diving are permitted for a fee. Zone B covers the seagrass beds inside the reef, where both commercial and sport fishing are allowed with a licence. Zone C covers the mangrove swamps of southern Ambergris Caye, where no commercial fishing is allowed but sport fishing may be carried out under licence. Zone D, added in 1999, is the adjoining area of Shark Ray Alley, a second charged snorkelling area where commercial and sport fishing are permitted in some parts under licence.

The Hol Chan Cut is a natural break in the reef, allowing marine creatures to travel from the outside of the reef to the inside and vice versa. Over 160 species of fish have been recorded in the reserve, along with 40 types of coral, five species of sponge, two seagrasses, three species of sea turtle, and three marine mammals. The mangrove forests act as nurseries for many fish species, and the seagrass beds are home to parrotfish, hogfish, and occasional turtles.

The reserve is managed by the Hol Chan Marine Reserve Trust Fund Committee, which replaced the informal advisory committee that ran the reserve until 1994. Most of the funds for the park's upkeep are generated from the fees charged to visitors for access to Zones A and D.

Turneffe Atoll

In addition to its diving offerings, Turneffe Atoll is also a popular destination for saltwater fly fishing. It offers fishermen the unique opportunity to catch a "grand slam", which means catching bonefish, permit, and tarpon in a single day. Birdwatching is another popular activity, with over 60 different species of birds identified in the area, many of which are endemic to Turneffe Atoll.

The best time to visit Turneffe Atoll is during Belize's dry season, from January to April, when you can expect sunny days and clear blue skies. If you plan to visit outside of these months, it is recommended to go between May and August to avoid the possibility of cold fronts or tropical storms.

To get to Turneffe Atoll, you will need to travel by chartered boat, plane, or helicopter from Belize City. The journey takes approximately 1.5 hours by boat and about 20 minutes by plane or helicopter.

Frequently asked questions