23 mapped sites
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Lighthouse Reef · 6–42 m
On the south side of Half Moon Caye, the reef crest sits in about 6m of sandy garden before plunging as a sheer wall draped in sponges, gorgonians and black coral into the deep blue. Sand chutes and coral spurs funnel divers over the lip, where eagle rays, turtles and reef sharks cruise the drop-off. Many divers rate it the single best wall dive in Belize for its consistent visibility and abundant life.
Turneffe Atoll · 5–30 m
Front Porch is Turneffe Island Resort's house reef, an easy shallow site that begins at a coral shelf around 12-15m before sloping into deeper water. Its calm, accessible profile makes it a favourite for checkout dives, training and macro-rich night dives where octopus and seahorses appear. Eagle rays, turtles and reef fish frequent the slope.
Ambergris Caye · 6–12 m
Hol Chan ('little channel' in Maya) is a natural cut through the barrier reef and Belize's first marine reserve, just south of Ambergris Caye. The shallow channel and surrounding reef teem with habituated fish, green morays, big snapper and grouper, nurse sharks and turtles in only 6-12m of water. It is one of the country's most popular and accessible dives, usually combined with neighbouring Shark Ray Alley.
Lighthouse Reef · 8–35 m
Painted Wall on the western flank of Lighthouse Reef Atoll takes its name from the dense, multicoloured carpet of sponges, tube sponges and gorgonians that coat the vertical drop-off. Crevices and overhangs shelter lobsters and moray eels while the open water off the wall hosts cruising rays and the occasional reef shark. It is a classic Lighthouse Reef wall dive with excellent photographic colour.
Turneffe Atoll · 18–42 m
At the exposed southern tip of Turneffe Atoll, The Elbow is Belize's premier drift wall dive, where currents sweep around the point and concentrate big schools of fish and pelagics. Divers ride the current along spur-and-groove formations from about 27m as eagle rays, snapper aggregations and reef sharks patrol the edge. Strong, sometimes unpredictable currents make it strictly an advanced site dived only in the right conditions.
Ambergris Caye · 20–30 m
Tackle Box Canyons, off San Pedro, is a maze of coral canyons and tunnels running between about 20 and 30m. Divers swim tunnel to tunnel through spur-and-groove formations rich in sponges and reef life, with nurse sharks, turtles and big groupers frequently seen. The swim-throughs and moderate depth give it an adventurous, intermediate feel.
Ambergris Caye · 12–21 m
Eagle Ray Canyon off Ambergris Caye is named for the schools of spotted eagle rays that ride the tidal currents through its coral gullies, typically between 12 and 21m. Yellowtail snapper and reef fish fill the canyons while rays glide overhead, making it a reliable and easy site for ray encounters. Best visited when current is running.
Turneffe Atoll · 12–40 m
Black Beauty on the eastern wall of Turneffe Atoll is named for its dramatic black coral and sponge-clad drop-off. The wall hosts eagle rays, reef sharks, big groupers and turtles among healthy spur-and-groove coral. It is one of Turneffe's signature wall dives, typically run from the resort and live-aboard fleets.
Ambergris Caye · 2–8 m
Mexico Rocks is a shallow patch-reef complex of coral heads in 2-8m of clear, calm water off the northern tip of Ambergris Caye. Its protected, shallow setting and abundance of small reef life make it a favourite for beginners, refresher dives, macro photography and snorkelling. Eagle rays are sometimes seen feeding in the current at the reef edge.
Stann Creek · 8–40 m
Long Caye Wall is Glover's Reef Atoll's showpiece drop-off, starting in about 8m of clear water before plunging into an abyss over 900m deep. The vertical face is rich in sponges, sea fans and black coral, with turtles, rays and barracuda patrolling the edge. Belize's most remote atoll means uncrowded diving and frequently exceptional visibility.
Stann Creek · 12–30 m
Gladden Spit is a promontory of the barrier reef about 22 miles off Placencia where the reef drops steeply into deep water. Around the full moons of spring, huge cubera and dog snapper aggregate to spawn, drawing whale sharks that rise to feed on the egg clouds - the reason for the site's world fame. Dives are conducted in mid-water no deeper than about 18-30m in regulated groups; sightings are seasonal and never guaranteed.