With the world’s second-largest barrier reef, crystal-clear waters, and all kinds of marine life, it’s no shock Belize is a high scuba diving vacation spot. Nevertheless, these components additionally imply Belize is house to a surprisingly massive variety of superb dive websites. This will make selecting which of them to go to throughout your dive trip a problem. To assist make this course of a bit simpler, we’ve put collectively a information to the six greatest dive websites in Belize.
1. The Nice Blue Gap, Lighthouse Reef
The Nice Blue Gap is essentially the most iconic dive web site in Belize — and for good motive! This world-famous sinkhole sits roughly 44 miles (70 kilometers) offshore and spans 300 meters (984 toes) throughout, making it seen from house. Leisure divers are in a position to discover as much as 40 meters (131 toes) of its 122-meter (400-foot) depths, that are crammed with stalactites and stalagmites.
Quite a lot of marine species, resembling groupers, gobies and lots of of different colourful fish, thrives alongside the Blue Gap’s perimeter reef. The opening inside is darker and has little to no coral, which means there’s much less marine life inside. Nevertheless, divers regularly spot blacktip sharks and reef sharks gliding by, with the occasional bull or hammerhead shark additionally making an look.
2. Half Moon Caye Wall, Lighthouse Reef
Half Moon Caye Wall is certainly vying for the highest spot as Belize’s greatest dive web site. Not solely does this web site supply dependable visibility, it boasts among the greatest marine life variety in Belizean waters. From reef sharks and groupers to noticed eagle rays and turtles, you’ll by no means floor feeling upset from this dive.
Moreover, the Half Moon Caye dive web site is only a quick journey away from the Nice Blue Gap dive web site. This proximity means it’s completely possible to pair these two standout dive websites, particularly for divers tight on free days and trying to maximize their dive time.
3. Esmeralda Canyons, Ambergris Caye
Esmeralda Canyons is thought to be probably the most lovely dive websites in Belize. Additionally it is conveniently positioned a brief boat journey from San Pedro city on Ambergris Caye. The coral-covered canyons and number of marine life at this fashionable dive web site are certain to depart a long-lasting impression. Nurse sharks, reef sharks, cat sharks, eagle rays, turtles and stingrays are all attainable logbook entries, in addition to quite a lot of colourful reef fish, resembling parrot fish and snapper.
4. The Elbow, Turneffe Atoll
Turneffe Atoll is taken into account by many divers to include among the world’s most spectacular diving. The Elbow, which is positioned on the southern finish of the atoll, affords the prospect to satisfy quite a lot of marine creatures. These embrace turtles, stingrays and each nurse and reef sharks. However maybe essentially the most noteworthy of the potential wildlife encounters at The Elbow is a squadron of eagle rays typically seen within the space.
One other helpful good thing about this well-regarded area is its proximity to the coast. When diving from the mainland, the shorter boat journeys enable divers to attenuate journey time and maximize time within the water.
5. Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Ambergris Caye
Hol Chan Marine Reserve is among the hottest diving and snorkeling spots in Belize. Its mixture of nice visibility, colourful corals and quite a lot of marine life make it an gratifying expertise for divers of each degree. Marine life is plentiful, and divers can count on to have full logbook pages after every dive. Eagle rays, loggerhead turtles, barracuda, moray eels, nurse sharks, stingrays and parrotfish are all generally encountered right here.
6. The Witconcrete Wreck, Turneffe Atoll
A latest addition to Belize’s dive scene, the Witconcrete Wreck, recognized regionally as The Wit, has rapidly turn into a must-visit web site for wreck diving fanatics. This ship, which was initially constructed within the USA to be used throughout WWII however spent most of its profession as a sugar transporter in Central America, was deliberately sunk off the coast of Turneffe Atoll to create a man-made reef in December 2021. At present, she lies between 50 and 80 toes (15 and 24 meters) deep, and the 375-foot (114-meter) wreck is already attracting an abundance of marine life, making it an ideal vacation spot for each novice and skilled divers.
Prepared To Uncover Every little thing Belize Has To Supply?
Now the place to dive, it’s time to make it occur by reserving the dive trip of your desires. Belize has quite a lot of top-rated dive resorts to select from. Discover the greatest scuba diving resorts in Belize right here, or contact our PADI Journey consultants through cellphone, chat or e-mail to debate extra choices tailor-made to your wants.
