Dive Sites in Belize (Central America)

Belize is a diving paradise with an abundance of healthy reefs and atolls to explore, an over-whelming amount of marine life and the spectacular Blue Hole.

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Dive Site Overview for Belize

Belize, situated right in the heart of Central America, enjoys gorgeous Caribbean climate, lush rainforest, historic Mayan ruins, beautiful cayes, atolls and the largest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere

The cayes, atolls and 185 mile long barrier reef are the main attraction including the famous Blue Hole dive site in the Lighthouse reef atoll. There are hundreds of shallow coral gardens and steep drop-offs to explore with over 500 species of fish and plenty of large pelagic visitors.

There are 3 large coral atolls in Belize that offer some of the world’s best diving:

Turneffe Islands, the largest atoll at 30 miles long, is made up of 20 islands and several lagoons. The most popular dive site is The Elbow on the southern tip where you can see great gorgonias and coral formations, toadfish and even shy hammerheads.

Glover’s Reef Atoll, home to the famous Long Caye Wall offer fabulous diving with sloping walls and drop-offs full of marine life.

Lighthouse Reef, 25 miles long, is the smallest of the atolls surrounds the Blue Hole, a UNESCO World Heritage Site made famous by Jacques Cousteau in the 1970s. You can still see stalactites from the submerged caves, reef and bull sharks, hammerheads and nurse sharks are all common around the Blue Hole which is thought to drop down to over 200m. There are loads of other dive sites near the hole including Half Moon Caye and The Aquarium where you can see eagle rays, turtles, parrot fish, huge gorgonias and tropical reef fish.

Amergris Caye, thought be the muse for Madonna’s ‘Isla Bonita’, has spectacular tunnels and canyons, several wrecks including the Amigos wreck, turtles, rays, huge groupers, sharks and colourful reef fish. Close by is Hol Chan Marine Park, which includes Shark-Ray Alley –a great place to encounter nurse sharks and sting, rays.

Diving is popular all year round with water temperatures ranging from 24°C to 28°C, visibility is generally excellent at over 30m but may drop to 10m in strong winds (diving the lee of the islands and atolls is sheltered and less affected). The vast range of dive sites cater for all levels and there are many dive centres offering certification and training courses.