Explore Belize's Best Diving Spots

Belize is a popular destination for divers of all skill levels, from novices to seasoned divers. It is known for its impressive barrier reef, the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, which is the second-largest in the world and offers a wide variety of dive sites. The country boasts sparkling white sand beaches, calm turquoise bays, and vibrant coral reefs, providing a diverse range of marine life to explore.

One of the most famous dive sites in Belize is the Great Blue Hole, a giant marine sinkhole located near Lighthouse Reef. With its steep walls and dramatic contrast of dark blue deep waters and turquoise shallow reefs, it is a bucket list dive for many. Belize is also known for its coral atolls, with three stunning ring-shaped reefs made of coral surrounding central lagoons. In addition to its reef system, Belize has over 450 coral cays and islets, offering endless exploration opportunities.

Other popular dive sites in Belize include Ambergris Caye, Turneffe Atoll, and Hol Chan Marine Reserve. Ambergris Caye is known for its fringing and patch reefs, as well as its mangrove forests, where divers can find impressive macro creatures and manatees. Turneffe Atoll offers a diverse range of marine life, including eagle rays, reef sharks, and schooling fish. Hol Chan Marine Reserve, established in 1987, is Belize's oldest marine reserve and is known for its vibrant coral reefs and the presence of sharks and rays.

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced diver, Belize has something to offer, with easy access to the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef and a variety of dive resorts and liveaboards to choose from.

The Great Blue Hole

The sinkhole is circular in shape, measuring over 300 metres across and around 125 metres deep. It was formed during the last glacial period, when sea levels were much lower, and was later flooded by rising ocean levels. The Great Blue Hole is part of the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The site was popularised by Jacques Cousteau, who visited in 1971 and declared it one of the top diving sites in the world. The Blue Hole is known for its crystal-clear waters and diverse marine life, including tropical fish, coral formations, nurse sharks, giant groupers, and reef sharks such as the Caribbean reef shark and the Blacktip shark.

Diving in the Great Blue Hole is not for beginners. It requires advanced certification and a quick descent to a depth of around 135 feet. The dive typically involves a brief stay at this depth before a cautious ascent. Due to its depth and limited sunlight, there is not much marine life in the hole itself, but some shark species can be spotted.

Most visitors to the Great Blue Hole travel by boat or helicopter from one of Belize's barrier islands. Getting there by boat can take between three and four hours, depending on the departure point. Visitors can also opt for a budget-friendly shared tour or charter a boat exclusively for their group. For those who don't want to dive, helicopter tours are available for stunning aerial views of the Blue Hole.

Ambergris Caye

The island has three distinct parts, with San Pedro being the only town and the heart of Ambergris Caye. Here, you'll find a lively downtown area with shops, bars, restaurants, water taxi stops, docks, and beach bars. Golf carts are the preferred mode of transportation on the island, and you'll see them zipping by as you explore San Pedro.

For divers, one of the top sites in Ambergris Caye is Shark Ray Alley, where you can dive with different species of sharks and rays. The Belize Barrier Reef, of which Ambergris Caye is a part, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, stretching over 190 miles in length.

Another popular spot is Secret Beach, located on the west side of the island. While it used to be a hidden gem, it now features a variety of beach bars and restaurants. To get there, you'll take a bumpy ride through the middle of the island, which is an adventure in itself.

When it comes to food, Ambergris Caye has plenty of options, including fresh ceviche, conch fritters, stone crab, lobster, and whole fried hogfish. You can also join a food tour to get a taste of the local cuisine and explore San Pedro.

In addition to diving, there are plenty of other activities on Ambergris Caye. You can join a yoga class, go birdwatching, explore ancient Mayan ruins, or simply relax on the beach.

With its stunning natural beauty, vibrant town, and diverse offerings, Ambergris Caye is a must-visit destination for divers and travellers seeking a unique Caribbean experience.

Half Moon Caye

The south-eastern part of the island serves as a sea turtle nesting ground from May to November for the loggerhead, hawksbill, and green turtles, all endangered species.

Camping on the beach is a popular option for those who want to experience what it's like to live on a secluded island. There are also safari-style canvas tents available at Island Expedition's Marine basecamp. Most people, however, visit Half Moon Caye on day trips from a dive resort.

The Half Moon Caye Wall is one of the most popular dive sites in Belize, with a huge drop-off and lots of sharks.

Hol Chan Marine Reserve

The Hol Chan Marine Reserve is a protected marine area in Belize, established in 1987 under the Fisheries Act. Covering approximately 18 km² of coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangrove forests, it is named after the Mayan word for "little channel".

The reserve is divided into four zones, each with specific regulations to ensure sustainable use and conservation:

• Zone A includes the inside and outside of the reef, where fishing is prohibited but snorkelling and diving are allowed with a fee.
• Zone B covers the seagrass beds inside the reef, where both commercial and sport fishing are permitted with a license.
• Zone C encompasses the mangrove swamps of southern Ambergris Caye, where no commercial fishing is allowed, but sport fishing is permitted under license.
• Zone D, added in 1999, is the adjoining Shark Ray Alley, a second charged snorkelling area that also allows commercial and sport fishing with a license.

The Hol Chan Cut, a natural break in the reef, is a highlight of Zone A. This channel, approximately 23m wide and 9m deep, is rich in marine life, including spotted eagle rays and southern stingrays. The area is also home to lobsters, moray eels, sea anemones, and various corals such as brain coral and elkhorn coral.

Zone B features the Boca Ciega Blue Hole, a sinkhole that opens into an underwater cavern and is not recommended for inexperienced divers. Zone D, Shark Ray Alley, is known for its gathering of sharks and stingrays, attracted by the abundance of food from local tour guides.

The mangrove forests serve as nurseries for many fish species, while the seagrass beds are home to parrotfish, hogfish, and occasional turtles. Manatees are also rare visitors to the reserve.

With its diverse marine life and commitment to conservation, Hol Chan Marine Reserve offers a unique diving and snorkelling experience in Belize.

Turneffe Atoll

The best time to visit Turneffe Atoll is from January to April, during Belize's dry season. During this time, you can expect sunny days and clear blue skies. If you can't make it during those months, the next best time to go is from May to August.

To get to Turneffe Atoll, you'll need to charter a boat or plane/helicopter from Belize City. The trip takes approximately 1.5 hours by boat and about 20 minutes by plane or helicopter.

Frequently asked questions