Stretching nearly 185 miles along the entire coastline, Belize has the second largest barrier reef in the world. The Belize coastline is also dotted with hundreds of picturesque, and mostly uninhabited, small islands called cayes (pronounced keys) and three of only four atolls in the Western Hemisphere are also found in Belize including the infamous Blue Hole which sits within Lighthouse Reef Atoll the most remote of the atolls and located approx. 35 miles from Belize City.
Atolls
There are only four atolls in the Caribbean and three of them can be found off coast of Belize. These are Lighthouse Reef, Glovers Reef and Turneffe Islands.
Lighthouse Reef Atoll
Blue Hole Natural Monument
The famous Blue Hole is a symmetrical ocean-filled sinkhole that is 400 ft deep and 1000 ft wide. Tens of thousands of years ago it was a limestone cave and when sea levels rose the ceiling of the cave collapsed revealing the Blue Hole as it is today. Divers descend to see the stalactites and stalagmites that were once inside the cave. It is located in the centre of the Lighthouse Reef Atoll. Its magnitude and shape is probably best appreciated from the air and helicopters can be chartered for this purpose.
Half Moon Caye Natural Monument
This was the first marine conservation area in Belize. It has a lighthouse, several wrecks and is a sanctuary to a population of several thousand of the rare red-footed boobies.
Turneffe Atoll
This is the largest and most accessible of the three atolls and offers plenty of excellent dive sites. There are also resorts on the islands with diving services, trips are normally 7 day all inclusive trips that depart from Belize City.
Glover's Reef Atoll
South of the other atolls and the least accessible it offers excellent diving opportunities and spectacular coral formations. Mostly accessed by boat from Dangriga and Hopkins. We arrange trips to stay on Long Caye on Glover's Reef Atoll to stay in permanent tents where you can snorkel, dive, kayak and SUP.
Gladden Spit and Silk Cayes Marine Reserve
This protected area not only contains the beautiful Silk Cayes but is also visited by Whale Sharks during the months of May and June around the full moon. The Whale Sharks come to feed off the spawning Cubera snappers. The reserve is located about 40 minutes from Placencia and fast boats take both snorkellers and divers to see the Whale Sharks. Guides must be trained to minimize the impact on the Whale Sharks and the number of boats within the reserve are restricted during the Whale Shark season. *Note, unfortunately the number of whale sharks visiting this area has dropped in recent years. The Silk Cayes Marine Reserve is still a highlight of the reef to snorkel or dive.
