Belize

Divers from all over the world come to Belize for a diving experience unlike anywhere else. We’re home to the largest barrier reef in the Northern Hemisphere and three of four coral atolls in the Western Hemisphere, with drop sites inside and outside of the reef. From masters to newly certified divers, there’s a dive site for everyone here in Belize.

The water at the reef is some of the best in the world. Crystal clear with visibility routinely extending hundreds of feet, you’ll always get the best view and diving experience. No matter what month you’re visiting, surround yourself with warm water and plenty of marine life to take in including corals, sharks, turtles and stingrays.

The Belize Barrier Reef is home to the Great Blue Hole–one of the greatest geological wonders of the world. Just 43 miles off the mainland, it is easily experienced on a day trip. A site for more experienced divers, a deep dive into the Great Blue Hole will unveil a whole new world full of rare fish and stalactites not found in other sites near the water’s surface.

Apart from the famous Great Blue Hole, Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Ambergris Caye, and dozens of other sites off the coast of Belize are listed as some of the top destinations for divers in the world.

Best time to dive?

The best time may be when the waters are generally calm and this is in summer which is the off season for tourism. The tourism high season in Belize coincides with the cool and dry seasons – December to April. Thanksgiving, the fourth Thursday in November, is when overnight tourists start to travel to Belize.

There are a few scattered rains in December when cold fronts start to arrive in Belize but this is tempered by the cooler temperatures and is well received by visitors and residents alike. Hotels and tourism resorts have high rack rates during this season as that is when demand is highest. Budget travelers need to take this into account. Traveling to Belize outside the high season can make for lodging discounts of 25% or more. The same applies to airline ticket prices. Reason why we always encourage potential visitors to contact our supporting advertisers directly, rather than through a third party, to negotiate the best bang for your buck.  Info by Belize.com

Dive Services in this area

Sea Life

One of the most biodiverse environments in the Western Side of the equator,  Manatees, crocodiles, whale sharks, turtles and octopus possess the lengths of Belize’s waterfront waters and marshes. Barracuda, grouper, comedian fish, mackerel, angelfish, and tarpon.

Dive Sites

The Belize Barrier Reef is a living coral reef described as solid mounds of submerged limestone, and is the richest and most diverse habitat in the ocean. The underwater landscape structure, tropical latitude and sea ocean currents make Belize the proud home of the largest living coral reef in the Western Hemisphere. Many visitors are looking for a unique SCUBA diving or snorkeling experience. The wide range of dive and snorkel sites in within and outside the Mesoamerican reef provides endless opportunities for the sport diver looking for challenging adventure, or even for beginners looking for safe snorkelling.

The Great Blue Hole

The Great Blue Hole is undeniably Belize’s biggest tourist seduction, and for good reason. Guidebooks are crammed with the ubiquitous “Jacques Cousteau” line and a must for scuba divers. But what is often overlooked (pun intended) is seeing the 407-feet deep funnel-shaped UNESCO World Heritage Site from a narrow 6-seater plane.

The cobalt-colored sinkhole, part of the Lighthouse Reef Atoll, lies just 43 miles from the mainland.

The Tour:

The entire aerial roundtrip tour takes about 1.5 hours. After a mere half-hour or so in a light aircraft – and through at least four shades of blue – you will be able to spot the Blue Hole in the horizon. The ride to the sinkhole itself is one entirely devoid of ordinary. After passing the first reef, the water becomes more tumultuous; white-tipped waves crashing against one another resemble squirming white specks.

Though some might be unnerved by the tiny size of the plane (you have to crouch to get in), it allows every single passenger a clear uninterrupted view of the watery marvel. This is where the pilot’s skills really come in. No angle is left unturned as the aircraft dips to the left, dips to the right, then flies literally parallel to the Blue Hole. Infinite opportunities for all kinds of Blue Hole #selfies.

After the dizzying – but amazing – tricks, the plane gently lowers to a bewildering 100 feet above the sinkhole.

A few feet more, and you’d feel like skimming your fingers atop the water.

The facts:

406.9 feet deep, 1049.8 wide
43 miles off the mainland
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Consists of Hammerhead Sharks, among other extraordinary marine life.

 

Gladden Spit

Gladden spit is one of our favorite picks for Belize Diving and even snorkel because of the annual whale shark migration. This open patch of deep water sees the largest fish in the sea twice in May and June as they make their way for warmer waters to spawn their young. Whale sharks aren’t aggressive to humans and will swim by calmly as divers make their ways around them.

 

Barrier Reef

Our 180 mile stretch of pristine coral barrier reef is probably still the number 1 spot for divers and snorkelers to this day. Diving on the opposite side of the reef will allow you to swim down and observe various echelons of reef life varying in color, shape, size, and type. Worth a try if you’re a slightly more experienced diver.

 

Long Caye wall

The long Caye wall is a stretch of reef and sea shelf that drops for about 2000 feet (noncontinuous). Much like at the reef, diving at long caye will allow you to observe varying degrees of sea life as the water gets deeper and cooler.

 

Half Moon Caye Wall

Even larger than the Long caye wall, is Halfmoon caye at the southern point of the Lighthouse reef atoll. Half moon caye and the rest of the atolls in this chain house within it a large number of thriving coral patches and a diverse amount of aquatic species. This site is a two for one because scuba and snorkel in this area are superb, nigh unparalleled in Belize.

 

Info by belizetravelblog.com

How to Arrive

Escaping to Belize is easy with direct flights out of many major city hubs. With most major airlines making trips daily,

it’s easier than ever to get in, out, and all around Belize.

 

Commercial airlines all land at the Philip Goldson International Airport (PGIA) in Ladyville, just minutes from Belize City.

Private airplanes need to be cleared through the Belize Airport Authority and Civil Aviation Department at the PGIA.

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