Belize's Best Sea Turtle Spots

Belize is home to three species of sea turtle: the loggerhead, green, and hawksbill turtles. The country's marine reserves, including Hol Chan, South Water Caye, and Lighthouse Reef, offer protected areas for these turtles to nest and breed. Sea turtles are drawn to Belize due to its ideal feeding and nesting grounds, and the country has protected sea turtles since 1993.

One of the best ways to see sea turtles in Belize is by snorkelling or scuba diving in the country's marine reserves. Tour operators offer excursions to see sea turtles, with bilingual guides and snorkelling equipment provided.

Hol Chan Marine Reserve

The Hol Chan Marine Reserve is a protected area covering three square miles of water at the southern tip of Ambergris Caye in Belize. It was established as a marine protected area in 1987 and is named after the English pirate John Glover. The reserve includes lagoons, a reef system, and white sand beaches, with crystal clear waters offering visibility of up to 200 feet.

The reserve is divided into four zones with different regulations to ensure sustainable use and conservation. Zone A includes the inside and outside of the reef, where no fishing is allowed 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 license. Zone C encompasses the mangrove swamps of southern Ambergris Caye, where no commercial fishing is permitted, but sport fishing can be carried out under license. Zone D, also known as Shark Ray Alley, is a shallow sandy-bottomed area inside the reef that attracts sharks and stingrays due to the abundance of food.

The Hol Chan Cut, a natural break in the reef, is a highlight of the reserve. This channel, approximately 23 metres wide and 9 metres deep, is rich in marine life and allows creatures to travel between the inner and outer reef. Over 160 species of fish, 40 types of coral, 5 species of sponge, 2 seagrasses, and 3 species of sea turtle call this reserve home. The mangrove forests serve as nurseries for many fish species, and the seagrass beds are home to parrotfish, hogfish, and occasional turtles. Manatees are also rare visitors to the reserve.

The Hol Chan Marine Reserve is a popular destination for snorkelling and diving, offering a unique opportunity to observe an abundance of marine life up close. Visitors can expect to encounter nurse sharks, stingrays, green turtles, spotted eagle rays, southern stingrays, lobsters, moray eels, and a variety of colourful corals. The reserve is committed to conservation and education, striving to protect the fragile marine ecosystem while providing recreational and tourism services.

Lighthouse Reef Atoll

Located about 50 miles (80 km) off the coast of Belize City, Lighthouse Reef Atoll is the most distant of Belize's three atolls. Its oblong shape spans an area of approximately 22 miles (35 km) from north to south and about 5 miles (8 km) wide. The atoll is made up of six cayes: Sandbore Caye, Northern Caye, Half Moon Caye, Saddle Caye, Long Caye, and Hat Caye.

For bird enthusiasts, Half Moon Caye is a particular highlight. Designated as a natural monument in Belize, it is home to rare Red-footed Boobies and Magnificent Frigatebirds. The caye also offers the opportunity to camp overnight, providing a secluded island experience.

In addition to its ecological significance, Lighthouse Reef Atoll holds cultural importance as well. The Half Moon Caye Natural Monument was established in 1928 by the Belize and British governments to protect the endangered red-footed booby population. Today, it serves as the only viable breeding colony of these birds in the western Caribbean.

The Great Blue Hole, a natural ocean sinkhole, is another notable feature of Lighthouse Reef Atoll. With a width of almost 1000 feet and a depth of 500 feet, it gained international recognition when French marine explorer Jacques Cousteau explored it in 1971. While diving in the Blue Hole is reserved for experts, snorkelling offers a memorable way to experience this natural wonder.

South Water Caye Marine Reserve

The South Water Caye Marine Reserve is the largest marine reserve in Belize, covering nearly 117,875 acres (approximately 47,700 hectares) of protected waters. The reserve is made up of a ring of islands and mangrove forests, creating a sheltered oasis for both visitors and rare marine life.

South Water Caye is known for its dense, red mangroves that grow alongside coral outcrops and the rare diamond-shaped reefs known as faro. The reserve is also home to major underwater mangrove systems and seagrass meadows, which provide a safe nesting beach for roseate terns and sea turtles. The clear, sheltered waters make it a perfect spot for diving and snorkelling, with colourful coral spur and groove formations to discover.

The southern portion of the reserve boasts sandy beaches, and the reef is just a short swim from the shore, allowing visitors to easily access nature's aquarium. The coastal towns of Placencia, Dangriga, and Hopkins are good starting points for visits to the reserve. These communities can be accessed by rental car, resort transfer van, bus, or via a short flight from Belize City.

Staying on the mainland and doing guided day trips to the reserve is an option, or you can choose to stay on one of the reef islands for a truly immersive experience. There are a variety of accommodation options, from rustic and budget-friendly to upscale resorts. Remember to review the responsible visitation guidelines before your visit to ensure you are doing your part to protect the Belize Barrier Reef for future generations.

Glover's Reef Marine Reserve

Glovers Reef Marine Reserve is a partially submerged atoll located off the southern coast of Belize, approximately 45 kilometres from the mainland. It is one of three atolls that make up the Belize Barrier Reef, alongside Turneffe Atoll and Lighthouse Reef. The reef was named after the English pirate John Glover and is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The oval-shaped atoll is 32 km long and 12 km wide, with an interior lagoon dotted with around 850 reef patches and pinnacles that rise to the surface. The reserve is divided into four management zones, with strict regulations defining permitted and prohibited activities. These zones are the General Use Zone, Conservation Zone, Wilderness Zone, and Seasonal Closure Zone. A fifth zone has been recently added to offer greater protection to the northeast spawning aggregation site, which is permanently closed to fishing.

Glovers Reef is known for its diverse reef types, harbouring one of the greatest varieties in the western Caribbean. The protected area is considered a priority for conservation by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), as it provides a unique habitat and feeding area for lobster, conch, and finfish. The clear waters offer visibility of up to 200 feet, making it an excellent spot for snorkelling and diving.

The reserve is a popular destination for those seeking a quiet and serene natural experience. It is accessible through day trips or longer excursions, with some tours offering snorkelling and fishing experiences. Visitors can expect to encounter a variety of marine life, including sea turtles, rays, nurse sharks, lobsters, and a wide array of fish species.

The Wildlife Conservation Society operates the Glover's Reef Research Station on Middle Cay, which was established in 1997 to promote long-term conservation and management of the Belize Barrier Reef complex. The research station has hosted numerous scientific and research expeditions, contributing to the understanding and preservation of this ecologically significant area.

Ambergris Caye

In addition to Hol Chan, Ambergris Caye's northern end is a popular spot for sea turtle nesting. The beaches between Robles and Rocky Point are frequented by loggerhead and green sea turtles during the nesting season, which typically runs from late May through September. The Hol Chan Marine Reserve team works tirelessly to study and protect these nests, ensuring the safety and success of the hatchlings' journey to the sea.

Sea turtles face various natural and human-induced threats, and conservation efforts are crucial for their survival. The Ambergris Caye Master Plan provides some protection for sea turtles on the North Ambergris Caye nesting beach, and a conservation program has been developed in collaboration with the Bacalar Chico National Park and Marine Reserve staff.

If you're looking to spot sea turtles in Ambergris Caye, consider joining a conservation tour or working with local researchers. These tours provide an opportunity to contribute to turtle conservation while also enjoying the beauty of Belize's marine life. Remember to follow guidelines and exercise caution around nesting sites to ensure the welfare of these endangered species.

Frequently asked questions