Belize Dive Sites

Half Moon Wall

Lighthouse Reef · 12–30 m

Half Moon Wall is the wall-dive area associated with Half Moon Caye on Lighthouse Reef, Belize. It is commonly researched with Great Blue Hole trips because Lighthouse Reef combines a shallow lagoon, coral shelf edge, vertical walls, Half Moon Caye Natural Monument, and nearby famous reef sites. Plan it as a guided boat wall dive where route and maximum depth are set by the operator.

Hol Chan Cut

Hol Chan Cut is a dive site located in Belize. It is accessible from shore. Rated beginner based on available data.

The Aquarium

Lighthouse Reef · 9–30 m

Named for its dense, colourful concentration of fish, The Aquarium on the western side of Lighthouse Reef Atoll has a shallow coral garden that rolls over a 15-18m wall draped in sponges and sea fans. Current is usually present over the reef top but eases along the wall, making it an easy, photogenic dive. It is a popular second or third dive on Blue Hole day trips.

Long Caye Aquarium

Lighthouse Reef · 6–30 m

Just off Long Caye on the west side of Lighthouse Reef Atoll, this shallow coral garden tumbles over a vibrant wall in clear water. Big schools of reef fish, healthy hard and soft corals and frequent turtle and ray sightings make it one of the atoll's most rewarding easy dives. It is often paired with The Aquarium and Half Moon Caye Wall on multi-day Lighthouse Reef trips.

Great Blue Hole

Lighthouse Reef · 12–40 m

The Great Blue Hole is a near-perfectly circular marine sinkhole 318m across and 124m deep at the centre of Lighthouse Reef, famed worldwide since Jacques Cousteau surveyed it in 1971. Divers descend a sheer wall to a ledge at around 40m where huge ancient stalactites hang from an undercut overhang. It is a short, deep, atmospheric bounce dive rather than a marine-life dive, requiring conservative deep-diving discipline; most operators dive it first then visit shallower wall sites afterward.

Tres Cocos

Ambergris Caye · 15–30 m

Tres Cocos (Spanish for 'three coconuts') is a classic Ambergris Caye spur-and-groove site where coral canyons begin around 15m and drop toward 30m. It is a noted spot for turtles, especially during the summer mating season, alongside nurse sharks, rays and big snapper. Healthy coral and good visibility make it a favourite San Pedro boat dive.

Shark Ray Alley

Ambergris Caye · 2–8 m

Part of Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Shark Ray Alley is a shallow sandy area where decades of fish-cleaning by fishermen trained dozens of nurse sharks and southern stingrays to gather around boats. In just 2-8m, divers and snorkellers are surrounded by docile nurse sharks and rays, making it one of Belize's most famous wildlife encounters. It is most often experienced as a snorkel after the Hol Chan dive.

South Water Caye

Stann Creek · 5–30 m

South Water Caye sits on the barrier reef off Dangriga in the heart of Belize's second-largest marine reserve, with the reef crest right off the island and a wall dropping from about 12m on the seaward side. Reef profiles range from shallow coral gardens to steep walls hosting moray eels, barracuda, eagle rays, groupers and the occasional larger pelagic. Its mix of easy shallow reef and deeper wall makes it a versatile southern-Belize base.

Long Caye Aquarium

A dive site in Belize. It is accessible from shore. Rated beginner based on available data.

Esmeralda Canyons

Ambergris Caye · 12–24 m

Esmeralda is a series of tall, narrow sand-floored canyons cutting through the barrier reef off Ambergris Caye, beginning around 12m and dropping to roughly 23-30m. Divers wind between coral walls draped in sponges as turtles, rays, nurse sharks and barracuda pass through the gullies. One of the shallower, easier Ambergris sites, it suits all skill levels.

Cathedral Reef

Ambergris Caye · 15–30 m

Cathedral Reef off Ambergris Caye is named for its tall, light-filled coral canyons and archways that evoke a cathedral interior. Sand-floored gullies between 15 and 30m wind past sponge-covered walls where turtles, rays and reef sharks pass. It is a scenic intermediate spur-and-groove dive popular on San Pedro boat trips.

Emerald Forest Reef

Stann Creek · 5–21 m

On the west arm of Glover's Reef Atoll, Emerald Forest Reef is a shallow site famed for towering stands of healthy elkhorn coral that give it a forest-like appearance. The 5-21m depth and easy conditions make it ideal for beginners, photographers and long bottom times. Schools of reef fish, parrotfish and the occasional turtle populate the coral thickets.