It's that time of the year again, where we come together and celebrate the reef, through a week filled of fun and exciting activities!!!! An entire week dedicated to celebrating our reef!!

Preparations underway for the 12th annual Ambergris Caye Reef Week

Reef Week will start with the ‘Swim to the Reef Awareness’ on Monday, May 8th at 5:30AM from Amigos del Mar dock. Archer invites as much people as many possible to come out and take part in this memorable activity. “You can swim, or even snorkel all the way to the reef. Take your time to appreciate the beauty of this natural resource that sustains us,” she said. There will be boats along the way in case anyone needs assistance.

Activities continue on Tuesday, May 9th with a Primary School Trivia Competition at the San Pedro Lions Den. Set to start at 9:30AM, the competition will test participants’ knowledge about the reef. Students from San Pedro Town and Caye Caulker Village will take on the challenge. “To participate in this competition, we gave students a study guide, and they have about a month to study it,” said Archer. “The guide is not just about the reef, but it has information about the nine reserves around the country.”

The fun continues on Wednesday, May 10th at 9AM with Puppet Shows at different schools around the island. The presentations will educate the students about managing access to fishing, the rights to fish certain areas, and sustainable fishing. On Thursday, May 11th, activities will continue with the annual Reef Fair starting at 9:30AM at the Central Park. Aside from Hol Chan Marine Reserve, several organizations will be present at the event, with education booths targeting the local populace about the work they do to help protect the reef and the environment.

One of the most anticipated events will take place on Friday May 12th when Hol Chan Marine Reserve will host a lionfish tournament at Estel’s Dine by the Sea. In addition, there will also be a lionfish ceviche competition following the weigh-in, and all restaurants are invited to participate.

Reef Week will culminate on Saturday, May 13th with a Kayak Race around the island. The race will start at 8AM in front of Wayo’s Beach Bar.

Click here to read the rest of the article in the San Pedro Sun

Come out and swim to the reef with us on Monday May 8th 2017 at 5:30 am starting at Amigos Del Mar dock. Swim free style or with snorkel gears whichever you prefer see you there!!!

Hol Chan Marine Reserve

Ambergris Caye Reef Week has started!

The 12th annual Ambergris Caye Reef Week started early on Monday, May 8th, with a 5:30AM swim to the reef. Over the next few days, a variety of events will take place on the island, ranging from educational activities, to a Lionfish Tournament to a Kayak Race, all with the purpose of creating awareness on the preservation of Belize’s marine ecosystem.

Around 11 swimmers took on the challenge, and swam to the reef and back from Amigos del Mar dock in San Pedro Town. Participants swam at their own pace, some even had on snorkel gear to make the trek more enjoyable, as they took in the beauty of the reef. The San Pedro Town Council’s Sport Coordinator, Kent ‘Bob’ Gabourel, who spearheaded the event, said that such events serve as encouragement for the present and future population to continue appreciating and taking care of the reef. “We need to continue creating awareness about our reef,” said Gabourel. “If the reef is gone, is not only San Pedro Town that will be in big trouble. The entire country and its economy will suffer. We need to protect it.”

Click here to read the rest of the article in the San Pedro Sun

Ambergris Caye Reef Swim 2017

Ambergris Caye’s Reef Week organized by the Hol Chan Marine Reserve kicked off Monday, May 8, 2017, with the Swim to the Reef Awareness, which had participants swimming to the reef from Amigos del Mar Dive Shop.

Early Morning Reef Swim Kicks Off Reef Week On Ambergris Caye
Ambergris Caye’s Reef Week organized by the Hol Chan Marine Reserve kicked off today, Monday, May 8, 2017, with the Swim to the Reef Awareness, which had participants swimming to the reef from Amigos del Mar Dive Shop. It was a very early swim, 5:30a.m. sunrise saw the participation of a handful of island residents ready to challenge themselves to a brisk swim and show how much they care for Belize’s barrier reef. Some chose to use a snorkel, mask and fins, while the more advance swimmers like San Pedro Sports Coordinator/Ambergris Today’s Person of the Year 2016, Kent ‘Bob’ Gabourel swam it freestyle. Boy he’s fast… The reef looks so close to shore, but don't let looks fool you. It’s quite a challenging swim. I was feeling tired half way there; but with a few stops to defog my mask (resting in the process) I was able to make it to and from the reef.

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Madi's EPIC Adventure

It's Reef Week in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. We share iTravel Belize's video of Madi's EPIC Adventure as she snorkels/swims through the length of the Belize Barrier Reef to create awareness of its IMPORTANCE to the country.

Hol Chan celebrates another successful Reef Fair
The Hol Chan Marine Reserve hosted their annual Reef Fair on Thursday, May 11th at the Central Park in San Pedro Town. Various environmental organizations gathered from 9AM ready to educate the students of San Pedro Town on marine conservation. Participating organizations included: The Belize Fisheries Department, Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Protect Our Manatees, Blackadore Caye, Oceana Belize, the Department of the Environment among others. Topics highlighted during the fair included efficient ways to preserve the environment and the different wildlife of the different ecosystems, on both the mainland and the coastal areas of the country. The different presentations included diagrams of turtle nesting, a display of the Bacalar Chico Reserve and a demonstration from Blackadore Caye Group on testing water quality.

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San Pedro Reef Week In Review In Case You Missed It
San Pedro's Reef Week, organized by the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, took place last week from May 8 to May 14 under the theme 'Let's Protect our Greatest Treasure; So it's Enjoyed with Pleasure.' It is a week in which the Hol Chan Marine Reserve organizes various activities and events that involve the community to create awareness and knowledge of the reef's importance to Belize. In case you missed any of the events, here is a rundown of Reef Week 2017 in La Isla Bonita. Monday - The Swim to the Reef kicked off the week with participants taking the plunge at Amigos del Mar dive center and swimming to the reef and back during the early morning hours. It's a healthy activity to promote a healthy reef.

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Highlights of Celebrate the reef "Reef Week Hol Chan 2017"

By Hol Chan Marine Reserve, "Thanks to all participants and our sponsors!!!"