Diving in Belize

Belize is a premier diving destination, home to the second-largest barrier reef in the world. Divers can explore three of the four coral atolls in the Caribbean: Lighthouse Reef Atoll, Turneffe Atoll, and Glover's Reef Atoll. The dry season, from December to May, is generally considered the best time to dive for maximum visibility and calm seas. Here are some of Belize's Best diving locations:

Lighthouse Reef Atoll
Lighthouse Reef Atoll is Belize's furthest offshore atoll and a top spot for experienced divers, designated as a protected marine reserve and home to over 20 world-class dive and snorkel sites. These sites include The Great Blue Hole, a perfectly circular sinkhole primarily for advanced divers, as well as the renowned Half Moon Caye Wall, which is celebrated for its diverse marine life, dramatic coral formations, and excellent visibility. Also located here is Long Caye Wall, often described as one of the best dives in Belize for its stunning coral formations and abundant fish life, featuring a shallow reef top that drops dramatically into the deep; both the Half Moon Caye Wall and the Long Caye Wall are popular dives combined with day trips to the nearby Great Blue Hole.

Turneffe Atoll
As Belize's most accessible offshore atoll, Turneffe is known for its biodiversity and variety of sites. The Elbow is a dramatic reef bend with drop-offs and strong currents, attracting large schools of fish, barracudas, and eagle rays. Best for advanced divers.

Placencia
The southern Belize region, including Placencia, is known for its uncrowded, pristine dive sites with excellent visibility. From Placencia, dive tours are available to several locations: Glover's Reef Atoll, located about a 1.5 to 2-hour boat ride from Placencia. It is a designated marine reserve and a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its abundant marine life and clear water. Laughing Bird Caye National Park is ideal for new or less experienced divers, featuring a small, enclosed reef with an inner lagoon.

Ambergris Caye
This popular tourist island provides easy access to the Belize Barrier Reef, which is characterized by a variety of coral formations, including spur-and-groove reefs with dramatic canyons, tunnels, and deep walls. Since the reef is offshore, all diving requires short boat trips. Among the top sites are two famous protected areas: Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Belize's oldest marine reserve that features vibrant reefs, turtle grass beds, and mangrove channels. This site is excellent for beginners and night dives and Shark Ray Alley, a world-famous snorkel and dive site where visitors can interact with stingrays and nurse sharks in shallow water.