Geographically this country is small in size (8,866 square miles), but, it's gigantic in attractions and diversity. The mainland and coastal cayes are remarkable wonders. The topography changes rapidly as do compass points. Travelers see estuaries, rivers, jungle, mountains, coral reefs, expansive underground caves, glorious waterfalls and an incredible collection of wildlife.

Every year more and more visitors are discovering Belize. Most come to dive, fish, enjoy the wildlife and explore ancient ruins. Some come to relax, some for the education, and many for the diving.

Belize offers all ranges of diving - from shore diving in shallow water to the Great Blue Hole at over 200 feet (61m) deep.

The Belize Barrier Reef spans 185 miles (297 km) of coast with the largest barrier reef in the Western hemisphere. Dive sites are located inside and outside of the reef. Outside the reef, look for spur and groove formations - narrow canyons of corals. Inside the reef, patch reefs are covered with hundreds of brightly colored fish and coral species.

Ambergris Caye is the largest island of Belize located northeast of the country in the Caribbean Sea, and offers a variety of accommodations and services.

Belize boasts three offshore atolls: Turneffe, Glover's Reef and Lighthouse Reef. Together they easily provide more than a hundred dive and snorkeling sites. Lighthouse atoll is where you will find the famous Blue Hole, with a depth of 480 feet and stalagtites at 130 feet.

Great diving can be found from the mainland or from a number of resorts on the tiny islands offshore.

Most of the Belize marine ecosystem is protected under World Heritage Sites and because of this, the diving remains pristine.


Climate Annual Mean - Temp 79F 26C
Water Temps 75 - 84F 24 - 29C
U/W Visibility Often 100+ ft 30+ m
on the atolls, a little lower inside the reef