Belize's Best Open Water Dive Spots

Belize is a world-class scuba diving destination, with more than 400 islands, white sandy beaches, the longest unbroken barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere, and 298 kilometres of coastline. The warm, clear waters and diverse marine life make it a great place to get your PADI Open Water Diver certification. This course is designed for beginners, providing them with the knowledge and skills required to dive safely and independently in open water environments. The PADI Open Water Diver course in Belize offers an exhilarating and comprehensive introduction to the world of scuba diving in one of the most stunning and biodiverse marine environments on the planet. The course typically spans over 2-3 half-days, combining both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.

PADI Open Water Diver Course

The PADI Open Water Diver course is the world's most popular scuba diving certification. It is designed for beginners, providing them with the knowledge and skills required to dive safely and independently in open water environments. The course typically spans 2-3 half days, combining both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.

The course is divided into three main parts: independent theory studies, confined water training, and open-water dives. During the theoretical studies, you will learn about the fundamentals of scuba diving, including dive planning, equipment, dive tables, safety procedures, and the effects of pressure underwater. This is followed by confined water training, where you will practice essential scuba skills such as buoyancy control, mask clearing, and regulator retrieval in a controlled environment like a swimming pool. Finally, you will undertake a series of four to five open water dives, where you will apply the knowledge and skills learned during the course.

Belize, with its warm, clear waters and diverse marine life, is an excellent location to complete your PADI Open Water Diver course. The rich and diverse marine ecosystem of Belize offers a unique opportunity to explore vibrant coral reefs, encounter colourful tropical fish, majestic sea turtles, nurse sharks, rays, and more. The coral formations are particularly breathtaking, and you'll have the chance to explore popular sites such as Hol Chan in Ambergris Caye.

The prerequisites for the course include being at least 10 years old, in good health, comfortable in the water, and able to swim. The total time commitment for the course is 4-7 days, with 2-3 days for confined water training and 2 days for open water dives. The maximum allowed depth for dives during the course is 18 meters or 60 feet.

Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive the PADI Open Water Diver certification, which is internationally recognized. This certification allows you to dive up to 18 meters (60 feet) deep anywhere in the world and is your passport to independently explore the underwater world.

Best time to dive in Belize

Belize is a great place to dive all year round, with reliably warm waters and good visibility. The peak season for scuba diving and tourism is generally considered to be April and June, but there are benefits to diving in Belize at other times of the year, too.

Diving in Belize: June Through November

The rainy season in Belize runs from late June to November, but this doesn't affect the visibility at off-shore dive sites, which is usually 12 to 24 metres / 40 to 80 feet. The water temperature is at its warmest during these months (26-29°C/79-84°F), and there are fewer tourists, meaning you can enjoy the best of Belize with fewer crowds. This is also the best time to dive in Belize on a budget, as flight prices are lower and hotels and dive operators often have deals and promotions.

Diving in Belize: December to April

By early December, the rains begin to ease and water temperatures drop slightly. The dry season is also peak tourist season, as people from the northern hemisphere travel to Belize to enjoy the sun. This means accommodation prices are at their highest during these months, and flights are also more expensive.

April to June is a great time for divers, as the general tourist crowds start to die down in April, and underwater visibility is at its peak. These months are also the best time to see whale sharks in Belize's tropical waters. Prices for flights and accommodation are also more affordable than during peak season.

Diving in Belize: July to September

July to September is a great time to visit Belize if you want to avoid the crowds. The summer months are less busy, as people in the Northern Hemisphere tend to stay closer to home to enjoy their hot weather. This means you can often find discounted rates for travel and accommodation during these months.

In summary, while it's possible to dive in Belize all year round, the best time to go depends on what you want to see and experience. For the warmest waters and fewer tourists, visit from June to November; for peak season and the busiest time of year, visit from December to April; and for lower prices and the chance to see whale sharks, visit in April, May or June.

Best places to dive in Belize

Belize is a world-class scuba diving destination with more than 400 islands, white sandy beaches, the longest unbroken barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere, and 298 kilometres/185 miles of coastline. The warm, clear, and rich waters offer great conditions for beginners and exciting opportunities for more advanced divers.

Ambergris Caye

The Belize Reef is just a five-minute boat ride from Ambergris Caye, with over 100 dive sites to choose from. The warm, clear waters and diverse marine life make these dives truly unforgettable. While diving here, you may encounter vibrant coral reefs, colourful tropical fish, majestic sea turtles, nurse sharks, and rays. The coral formations are particularly breathtaking, and you'll have the chance to explore popular sites such as Hol Chan.

Belize Barrier Reef

As the second-largest barrier reef in the world, the Belize Barrier Reef is a must-visit destination for divers. The reef is easily accessible from Ambergris Caye and offers a variety of dive sites to explore.

Blue Hole

The Blue Hole is Belize's best-known dive site. This iconic underwater sinkhole is located near the centre of Lighthouse Reef and is almost perfectly circular in shape, with a diameter of about 300 metres and a depth of approximately 125 metres. The Blue Hole is surrounded by a ring of coral reefs that are part of the larger Belize Barrier Reef system.

Silk Cayes and Moho Caye

These small islands, located off the coast of Belize, offer some of the best snorkelling and diving in the country. The surrounding waters are home to a diverse array of marine life, including sea turtles, manta rays, and colourful tropical fish.

Hol Chan Marine Reserve

Located just south of Ambergris Caye, Hol Chan Marine Reserve is one of the most popular dive sites in Belize. The reserve is home to a diverse array of marine life, including sea turtles, nurse sharks, and a variety of tropical fish. The shallow waters and gentle currents make this an excellent site for beginners.

With its warm waters, rich marine life, and variety of dive sites, Belize offers a unique and exciting experience for divers of all skill levels.

Prerequisites for diving in Belize

Belize is a world-class scuba diving destination, boasting the longest unbroken barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere, over 400 islands, white sandy beaches, and 298 kilometres (185 miles) of coastline. The warm, clear waters and diverse marine life make Belize an ideal place to learn scuba diving.

To participate in a PADI Open Water Diver course in Belize, you must be at least 10 years old and in good physical health. You should also be comfortable in the water and be able to swim. Prior to commencing the course, you will need to fill out a mandatory medical questionnaire to assess your suitability for scuba diving. If you answer "yes" to any of the questions, the questionnaire must be signed by a physician. Additionally, you will need to complete a certified liability release form.

The PADI Open Water Diver course is the most popular scuba diving certification globally, and it offers an exhilarating introduction to the world of scuba diving. The course typically spans 2-3 half-days, combining theoretical knowledge and practical skills. It includes independent theory studies, confined water training (usually in a pool), and open-water dives.

The confined water training will allow you to practice essential scuba skills, such as buoyancy control, mask clearing, and regulator retrieval. The open-water dives, typically four to five in number, will allow you to apply the knowledge and skills learned.

PADI also offers an Open Water Referral course, which allows you to complete your dive training in distinct segments. This course requires you to first complete all theory and confined water dives at home with a local dive centre. You must then bring a signed referral form from your previous dive instructors or dive centres to Belize, where you will execute the practical portion of the course, consisting of four open-water dives.

For those who are already certified divers but have not dived for at least two years, a Refresher Course is available. This short course consists of a refresher skill check in confined water or the shallow waters off the coast.

If you're seeking to further your dive credentials or gain more confidence and competence as a diver, PADI Specialty Courses are available. These courses explore different aspects of diving, including deep diving, underwater photography, night diving, search and recovery, and more.

How to get a scuba diving license in Belize

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 298 kilometres of coastline. The warm, clear waters and diverse marine life make it an ideal place to get your scuba diving license. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to get a scuba diving license in Belize:

Step 1: Choose a Dive Centre

Belize is home to several PADI-certified dive centres that offer scuba diving courses. You can choose a dive centre based on your preferences, such as location, price, and the packages they offer. Some popular options include Belizean Dreams, ReefCI, Belize Pro Dive Center, and Seahorse Dive Shop.

Step 2: Enrol in the PADI Open Water Diver Course

The PADI Open Water Diver course is the most popular scuba diving certification globally, and it is designed for beginners. The course will provide you with the knowledge and skills required to dive safely and independently in open water environments. The minimum age to enrol in this course is typically 10 years old, and no prior diving experience is necessary. However, participants should be in good health, comfortable in the water, and able to swim.

Step 3: Complete the Course Requirements

The PADI Open Water Diver course typically spans 2-3 half-days, combining theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Here's what you can expect:

• Independent Theory Studies: You will learn about dive planning, equipment, dive tables, safety procedures, and the effects of pressure underwater.
• Confined Water Training: In a controlled environment, such as a swimming pool, you will practice essential scuba skills like buoyancy control, mask clearing, and regulator retrieval.
• Open Water Dives: You will undertake a series of open water dives, typically four to five, where you will apply what you have learned.

Step 4: Obtain Your Certification

Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive the PADI Open Water Diver certification. This internationally recognised certification allows you to dive up to 18 metres (60 feet) deep and explore the underwater world independently.

Step 5: Explore and Advance Your Diving Skills

With your Open Water Diver certification, you can now explore the diverse marine life and breathtaking coral formations that Belize has to offer. If you wish to further advance your diving skills and knowledge, you can consider enrolling in PADI specialty courses, such as Deep Diving, Underwater Photography, Night Diving, and Search and Recovery.

Frequently asked questions