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 is a great variety of reef types and diving & snorkeling experiences in Belize.
The Barrier Reef is 185 meandering miles (298 km) of unspoiled beauty. It
varies from 8 to 16 miles (13-26 km) from the mainland to less than one
mile (1.6 km) offshore from Ambergris Caye. Much of it is totally
unexplored and all of it is easily accessible by boat. The reef is like a
gigantic wall running parallel to the coast. Between the mainland and the
reef are shallow, sandy waters with numerous mangrove-covered islands
(cayes).Click here for map of Ambergris Caye and Belize dive sites. We also have an extensive selection of diving and snorkeling photographs.
While much of the flora and fauna is similar throughout the reef system, there are individual differences to be found everywhere. A particular type of fish may be seen on almost every dive, but during mating season it may congregate in only one or two areas in great numbers. Hard corals, gorgonians, sea fans, tunicates, and shellfish of amazing variety populate Belize coastal waters, but the predominance of one in a particular stretch of reef may give that area its name. Similarly, there are areas where grouper are known to shoal, others where large stingray are prolific or where the diver may encounter a whale shark. The manta ray and spotted eagle ray are fairly common, and the diver can reasonably expect to see one of these magnificent creatures during his visit. Hammerhead shark,Caribbean reef shark and even the oceanic white tip shark are seen occasionally, but these lucky sightings are rare.
Ambergris Caye is justly the most popular attraction to the tourists who
come to Belize. The factor that most contributes to this is the unbelievably
superb diving & snorkeling conditions. Accessibility to the dive sites, such as Lighthouse Reef, Turneffe Islands, as well as many excellent sites right off Ambergris Caye, combined with excellent weather
conditions, clear warm water, the variety of dive sites and in the unlikely chance
that a diving accident should occur, the hyperbaric chamber is minutes away
from any of the dive sites. For general information on diving & snorkeling in Belize, click here.
Conservation and protection of the natural resources is very important for the government and people of Belize. Proof of this is the designation of one of the most popular dive sites off Ambergris Caye, Hol Chan, a marine reserve. Strict supervision is in place and no fishing or removal of coral is permitted. Mooring buoys have been installed so that anchors may not destroy the coral. There is an area 6.5 miles north of San Pedro Town that is referred to as Secret Beach. Located on the western lagoon side of the island, the westward view is dotted with small islands, other lagoon shores and in the far distance you can see Leonardo DiCaprio’s Blackadore Caye. The sandy floor and shallow water makes for great swimming and languishing with water toys.
Belize Dive Maps:
Click here for information showing the main points of the Outer Reef Lagoon, San Pedro and South, and the main cuts through the reef east of the island. Training is the basis of new regulation instituted by government this year to improve the services guides render to tourists. To become a dive guide in Belize, one first of all has to be Belizean, study to become a dive master, work with an experienced dive master for a considerable period of time, know the dive sites well, be versed in first aid and safety, and be of sound character.
The San Pedro Tourist Guide Association which is 175 members strong plays
a significant role in making sure that guides perform well, and guiding is
safe.
A detailed list of the various mammals, invertebrates, fish, birds, and other creatures that inhabit these waters can be read by clicking here. Click here for a thorough examination of the plant life on and around the island. The tree, bushes, underwater grasses, a botanical sweep of the island...
Several professionally run dive shops serve the divers with clean air and
well kept diving and snorkeling equipment. Dive instructors work out of
these dive shops providing full PADI and NAUl certifcation, referrals for
divers wishing to complete the open water certification, and "discover
diving" for the snorkelers who dare taste the exciting world of scuba diving.
Scuba diving & snorkeling have come a long way in Ambergris Caye! Safety, protection of the natural resources and convenience to the diver are very important to our diving community. The government and people of Belize have decided that development of our tourist industry will be planned; it will grow slowly and gradually, never losing sight of the vital importance of protection of our precious reef and the dangers of over-development. But, please don't take my word for it, come check it out yourselves! For those interested in diving with Nitrox, the dive operators on Ambergris Caye that handle it are Ramons and the Caye Dive Resort.
You can snorkel off the beach at your hotel or anywhere on the island,
but you don't usually see as much. Some hotels work hard to keep their piers as appetizing to the fish as possible. It can be quite pleasant to float around
and see what you can see off shore. The three most-popular areas for snorkeling from boats near Ambergris Caye are Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Shark-Sting Ray Alley and Mexico Rocks. A visit to Hol Chan and Shark-Ray Alley to the south of San Pedro are usually combined into one trip, while Mexico Rocks to the north of town is usually a separate trip. Boat trips to either of these destinations cost around US$45 per adult, which usually includes snorkel mask and fin rental and a guide who will go into the water with you and point out the sights. Kids under about age 12 go for half price. There is an additional US$10.00 per-adult fee for admission to Hol Chan Reserve. The fee, which goes toward preservation of the Belize's parks, is collected at the reserve by rangers in power boats, so be sure to bring your money. These snorkeling trips usually last two to three hours. Typically, snorkel boats go out once in the morning and once in the afternoon, more frequently during busy periods. A couple of dozen dive and snorkel operators offer snorkel trips. It is difficult to recommend one over another, as the quality of the experience depends on who is your guide on a particular trip and also the weather and sea conditions. However, see the list of recommended dive shops at the top and bottom of this page. Note that boats cannot always go out, due to wind and weather conditions. When there's a strong wind or during "Northers" in the winter, snorkeling is unpleasant at best and could be dangerous. Night snorkeling trips also are available, at around US$65 per person. Night snorkelers may see lobster, eels, octopus and other creatures. Average Water Temperatures:
...so you see, not much variation. Depth doesn't matter much in open water, unlike in lakes that experience thermoclines. The sea is in a constant state of flux, so the temp at the surface is very close to that at 100'. A diversion from this is the Blue Hole, that does have thermoclines because of its topography and the lack of a current to turn the water over to even out the temp. The most common question after the general water temperature is what is the temp. in the Blue Hole at 130ft.....about 76f with hardly any change throughout the year at that depth.
Several snorkel boats may congregate at one time. In fact, it's a good idea to make a mental note of the name or identifying colors of your boat, so you don't swim back to the wrong boat. Do not touch the coral with your hands or fins, and do not feed or touch the fish. Caution! Tidal currents here can be quite strong. Weak swimmers or younger children may tire quickly swimming against the current. Ask your guide about the strength of the current at the time you are there, and let the guide know if you are not a good swimmer or have any disability. Don't be shy about accepting a life jacket. Shark- Ray Alley is a shallow cut to the south of Hol Chan where nurse sharks and sting rays congregate. Guides sometimes chum to attract the sharks, and you can jump in and swim with them. It's not half as scary as it sounds, and most of the people who come on the snorkel boats do get in the water here. At Mexico Rocks, off North Ambergris opposite a former coconut plantation, you may not see as many fish as at Hol Chan, but the coral is beautiful. Also, this area is protected from ocean swells and currents, so it makes for easier snorkeling. Depth is only about 6 to 12 feet, so you can see everything up close. Water viz is about the same as at Hol Chan, 50 feet or more. 
Catamarans and other vessels based in San Pedro visit some of Belize's other cayes and atolls, on longer trips for snorkeling and picnics. You typically pay around $195US plus a $40US park fee depending on the length of the trip, where you go and whether lunch and drinks are included. Turneffe doesn't allow for snorkeling, the Turneffe/Elbow trip isn't a trip that gets near snorkeling depths. San Pedro also has several glass-bottom boats which offer trips for around US$40. It's a long way to go for snorkeling, but Belize's atolls offer good snorkeling in shallow water around patch reefs. The reef life is extensive, and it is a fantastic snokeling experience. DIVING & SNORKELING- The diving& snorkeling immediately around Ambergris Caye is easily accessible. There is also some environmental degradation to the reef due to its use, although permanent mooring buoys at some sites have reduced anchor damage.
Divers and snorkelers will enjoy the shallow dives and get to see a good variety of sea life and coral. Those willing to make a larger investment in time and money can use San Pedro as a base for day trips to distant cayes and atolls, which offer some of the best diving & snorkeling in all of the Caribbean. Diving around the atolls is mostly wall diving, while diving around Ambergris is spur-and-groove with some deep canyons, swim throughs and reef cuts. Heavy wave action from Hurricane Mitch did only limited damage to dive sites around Ambergris Caye. It destroyed some fragile coral, such as elk horn and seafans, especially near the water surface, and caused temporary loss of pigmentation in hard coral, but it scoured out green algae and cleaned out sand. One of the good things about Ambergris Caye, in the eyes of many, is that it does not cater only to divers. Indeed, the majority of visitors to the island now are not divers, and this means that those who don't dive will not feel they are just extra baggage on a dive machine. Ambergris Caye offers a good mix of dive and non-dive activities. Those who wish to do nothing but dive, eat, sleep, and dive may be better off choosing a dive lodge on one of the remote atolls or a live-aboard dive boat. 
Among the popular dive sites around Ambergris Caye are Hol Chan Cut, Tackle Box Can Two-tank dives around Ambergris Caye typically go for about US$75. One-tank dives are about US$20 less; three-tank dives about US$20 more. Rates usually include tanks, weights and belts. Other equipment is extra; US$30 is about average for a full set of gear. If you want underwater adventure without the hassle of becoming a certified diver; then SNUBA is for you! SNUBA diving is the safest and easiest way possible to experience the fascination of Scuba diving with the simplicity of snorkeling. You can SNUBA down to 20 feet with no prior experience. Explore clear tropical waters with pristine coral reefs and incredible sea life paired with the most knowledgeable SNUBA guides in the world! Just bring your bathing suit and grab that underwater camera! Depart aboard a boat for a scenic cruise to one of our SNUBA locations. While underway, your professional SNUBA guide will provide a briefing on the safe use of SNUBA. Your tour is fully guided for your safety and entertainment. Those looking for even better diving likely will consider diving one of Belize's atolls. These are Pacific-style atolls with coral islands surrounding a fairly shallow lagoon. Only four true atolls exist in the Western Hemisphere; three of them are off Belize. Belize's three atolls are Turneffe Islands, Lighthouse Reef, and Glover's. Turneffe and Lighthouse are closest to Ambergris Caye and are practical day trips. 
A new marine reserve around the Silk Cayes and Galdden entrance opened recently with whale sharks a major attraction. Click here for more information on whale sharks. For detailed information on the reserve, click here.
For the more-serious diver, there is variety enough here to make for many weeks of diving. Visibility is terrific, often 150 feet or more. While many of the sites are best for intermediate and advanced divers, some are suitable for novice divers. From San Pedro, expect to pay about US$225 to US$275 for a day trip to Lighthouse or Turneffe, depending on the number of dives. Lunch is usually included. A typical trip to Lighthouse takes one and a half hours or a little longer each way, includes three dives, lunch and snacks and costs about US$300 per person. Note that sometimes dive trips are canceled if not enough divers sign up for a specific trip. The Turneffe Islands are about 20 miles east of Belize City. This is the largest atoll and the closest to the mainland. It differs somewhat from the other two atolls in that most of the islands here are densely covered in mangroves, especially on the west side. Black Beauty, Myrtle's Turtle and Mauger Caye (north of the atoll, with a lighthouse) are among the popular dive sites here. Mauger is known for its sharks. 
Lighthouse Reef is about 60 miles east of Belize City. Lighthouse is home to Half Moon Caye Natural Monument, comprising about 15 square miles of atoll plus another 15 square miles of surrounding waters. Protected as a marine reserve since 1981, Lighthouse teems with birds, including a nesting colony of rare red-footed boobies. Under water life is also rich here, with dolphins and other creatures. At Lighthouse also is the Blue Hole, a limestone sinkhole several hundred feet across and more than 400 feet deep, made famous by Jacques Cousteau. Divers usually report that while the Blue Hole is worth doing once, it is more spectacular when seen from the air then from underwater. Glover's Reef is about 30 miles east of Dangriga. The perimeter of the atoll has elk horn coral forests. Here and in a deeper sandy area is a great variety of fish and sea life, including many sharks. Shark Point, northeast of North Caye with its lighthouse, is well-known for hammerhead and tiger sharks. San Pedro has the country's only hyperbaric chamber. It's located near the airstrip. Most dive shops ask for a small donation with each tank fill which goes toward funding the chamber. 
For those who don't dive but would like to, several Ambergris Caye dive shops offer courses and training. A resort course costs about US$165. This includes classroom training, practice in a pool or in the water, and an actual dive, usually at Hol Chan. Complete open water certification runs around US$475 and requires three to four days. For those who have completed classroom instruction elsewhere, the two-day open water training is about US$330. I would rate the safety of dive shops in San Pedro as much higher than dive shops in, say, Florida, where dive shops are afraid to put divemasters in the water with their diving & snorkeling guests. The reason? If a dive shop elects to properly supervise diving activities in Florida, and there is an accident, even a minor one, then the diver can sue the tar out of the dive shop and divemaster. It is actually better for a Florida dive shop to have 5 unsupervised diving deaths a year than have 1 minor supervised diving accident (where, say, a diver has to go to a dive chamber for a few hours treatment, full recovery, and sues dive shop for 50million for "pain and suffering caused"). In Florida, it is standard practice for a dive boat to leave port with 20-45 divers, one captain and one non-diving divemaster. Here in San Pedro we would never dream of such a terrible mis-match of divers to divemasters, and our dives are ALWAYS in-water supervised by qualified divemasters. Dive shops here are not afraid to tell a guest that the chamber is needed treatment if that guest is feeling funny after diving. The great thing about chamber treatment is that it's fairly routine....the crime is letting mild symptoms get worse by not admitting one of your divers to the chamber because of the potential for getting a bad reputation. Every serious dive shop on Ambergris Caye has an excellent safety record, and no dive shop can or should claim to have the "best safety record" on the island. Belize is not -- and never will be -- a big chartering center as, for example, is the British Virgin Islands. For one thing, stiff winds, strong currents and the barrier reef with its hidden coral heads can make navigation dicey, even for sailors who know local waters. Still, a few bareboat and crewed charters are available in Belize.
To the right are a few of those who handle charters. For more on boating in Belize and around the island, click here.
Cats, motorboats and sailboats temporarily in Belize may be available for charter from time to time. These boats come and go at the whim of the seas and their captains. Ask locally in San Pedro (especially at the Belize Yacht Club) or at the marinas at the Radisson Fort George or Fiesta Inn in Belize City or on Moho Caye. Catamarans for day or short charters may be available at Ramon's and Journey's End and elsewhere. Liveaboard dive boats are also an option for those seeking the salt. Click here for more on the liveaboards... JELLYFISH- There is another irritating critter which we call 'pica pica' . The picas can show up at the same time of the year but are not serious stingers - they can leave mosquito bite sized welts on you that itch for a day or two. Most tourists do not get bothered much by them as the itch is associated with a sensitivity build up over multiple stings. The pica is common from florida to honduras. CLICK HERE for more information..... By the end of november there are practically no stinging critters in the water due to the change of seasons and drop in water temperature. Coral scratches are self inflicted. a dive skin is a good thing to wear year around. a wetsuit is only necessary during the cold fronts in the winter months. SPEARFISHING-
Note: The offshore reef and its protecting of the inland sea around the island makes for extremely clear and calm water for diving & snorkeling. Most of the area inside the reef is 6-8 feet deep, and you can see more here with just a mask and/or snorkle than you can see most places while diving. In that mere 6-10 feet deep of water, there is an amazing diversity of marine life. Dolphins (very friendly), nurse sharks, rays, zillions of multi-colored fish of many varieties highlight a quick dip in the water around Ambergris Caye. Any novice can come here and be amazed, and then go to the dive shops and become an expert! As a child said, "Its like Seaworld without the glass..." Marty, ChiefNerd, AmbergrisCaye.com
Visitor / Guest Water Safety TipsAmbergris Caye relies heavily on boats for transportation not only around the island itself but for inter island travel, mainland travel, transportation of cargo and of course tourism. When Swimming or snorkeling on Ambergris Caye please BEWARE OF BOAT TRAFFIC and follow these safety guidelines: 1) Swim/snorkel between docks and in designated swim areas when available. 2) Do not attempt to swim out to the reef. 3) Consider not wearing jewelry when snorkeling or swimming. 4) If any vessel is heading in your direction signal to make yourself visible. 5) Use a life vest or diver down buoy for visibility when snorkeling or swimming. 6) Touching coral, plant life and dock posts may cause extreme allergic reactions. 7) Always have someone watching when snorkeling or swimming at night. 8) Do not dive from docks as there could be shallow water or obstructions under water. 9) Pay attention to the wind speed and direction when kayaking away from shore. 10) A kayak and/or paddle are useful to make yourself visible while in the water. 11) Your belongings should not be left unattended on the beach or dock. We want your vacation on Ambergris Caye to be a memorable and enjoyable one so please be safe while exploring our natural wonders.
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The basic San Pedro dive boat is an island built skiff in the 20 to 26 foot
range powered by twin outboard motors. These are fairly fast, traveling to
most dive sites within 15 to 20 minutes. Dives are usually done one dive in
the morning at 9:00 a.m. and another dive at 2:00 p.m. in the afternoon. The
cost for these two dives, including tanks and weights, ranges around $75.00
U.S. for the two dives the same day. Dives are also arranged to
suit diver's schedules. Night dives at the 
Rays and schooling jacks are frequently seen, and the most
common reef tropicals such as groupers, coneys, angelfish and barracuda
are almost sure to be seen. For a more interesting and convoluted bottom
featuring caves full of copper sweepers and a resident school of horse-eyed
jacks, the dive site Caverns, just outside the Mata Cut, is another local
favorite."
The boat cruised on towards Turneffe at its normal speed, about 20 miles per hour. We continued on this journey for about twenty minutes when suddenly the water in front of us was broken by a fin, and then another one, and another one, and suddenly we were surrounded by a pod of dolphins numbering literally in the hundreds!!! WHAT A SIGHT TO BEHOLD!!! In all my lifetime, and I've spent quite a few days at sea, I have never seen a sight such as this where it was literally raining dolphins everywhere you looked!!! Karl slowed down the boat and the dolphins were along the boat, in front of the boat, behind the boat,jumping ahead of the boat.....little baby dolphins, big dolphins, medium sized dolphins...just dolphins,dolphins everywhere....
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