Southern Belize
Pristine diving and snorkeling conditions, some of them
unexplored, in less crowded waters can be found here.
Experience a variety of dives, including reef, gutters, walls and
cayes. See large barrel and colorful tube sponges, eagle rays,
brilliantly colored fish and more. The best opportunity for whale
shark sightseeing, unique to southern Belize, is in April, May and
June.
Laughing Bird Caye
An atoll inside the reef 13 miles southeast of Placencia, Laughing
Bird Caye is one of Belize's newest national parks. It was
originally named after a large population of laughing gulls that
returned each year to breed. This three-mile protected area yields
excellent diving and snorkeling opportunities. There's elkhorn
coral mixed with staghorn and brain coral and beautiful fish.
South Water Caye Marine Preserve
This is one of Belize's newest and largest marine preserves,
stretching from north of Tobacco Caye to Carrie Bow Caye. There
are abundant schools of fish, as fishing is banned. The pristine
southern section of the barrier reef sees few divers and is typically
a wall dive that is interspersed with sand channels and spur and
groove sections.
Often seen are turtles, moray eels, barracuda, large mackerel, eagle
rays, southern sting rays, as well as several shark species. Typical
dive sites include the Cathedral, South Cut, Carrie Bow Ridges,
South Water Wall and The Abyss.
Ambergris Caye
Some of the best diving in the world is found along the coral reef that
lies just a few hundred yards off Ambergris Caye. The coral reef is
home to more than 430 species of fish and 70 species of hard coral.
Hol Chan Marine Reserve
A national park four miles southeast of San Pedro, Hol Chan
features a natural break that gives rise to striking coral formations,
fish and other marine life. Established in 1987, it's the first reserve
of its kind in Central America.
Pages:   
|