TURNEFFE ATOLL REEF is the closest and the largest of the 3 atolls, forming a series of mangroves offering great drift dives with some of the larger pelagic such as gigantic shoals of trevallies, snappers, black-tip and hammerhead sharks among others.
LIGHTHOUSE REEF is the most easterly of the dive sites in Belize, offering fantastic wall diving and home to the Great Blue Hole.
HALF MOON CAYE easily offers some of the best wall diving in the world. A sandy stretch laden with garden eels, stingrays, and hogfish, then gently slopes towards the reefs numerous swim throughs and tunnels until you reach the drop off at around 25m. To the South West, Painted Wall's spur and groove formations, ranging from 8-40m, is home to species of parrotfish, black durgeon, queen triggerfish. Lookout for white spotted filefish and cowfish in the shallows.
The great BLUE HOLE offers divers the chance to dive a unique dive site in Belize. The Great Blue Hole is a giant submarine sinkhole off the coast of Belize. It lies near the center of Lighthouse Reef, a small atoll 70 km from the mainland and Belize City. The hole is circular in shape, over 300 m across and 124 m deep. Apart from the novelty of diving in a large sinkhole expect clear waters and a variety of flora and fauna as you can see nurse sharks, Caribbean reef sharks, and bull sharks.
Glover's Reef, the most remote and least visited atoll. As such it offers more diversity including goliath grouper, schools of horse-eyed jacks, Atlantic spadefish, eagle rays, and turtles. With more than 80km of fringing reef and walls depths range from 7 meters to 900 meters, this is an exciting dive with many underwater photography opportunities.
Diving Belize Liveaboards offer the chance to see hundreds of unique critters, topography and possibly even the larger species such as the manta ray, spotted eagle ray or even the whale shark at Gladden Spit (during the spring and early summer months). Hammerhead shark, Caribbean reef shark, and even the oceanic whitetip shark have been seen, but these lucky sightings are rare.
Other popular sites in Belize
- Sailing to Glover's Reef, the most remote and least visited atoll. Offering more diversity including goliath grouper, schools of horse-eyed jacks, Atlantic spadefish, eagle rays, and turtles. With more than 80km of fringing reef and walls depths range from 7 meters to 900 meters, this is an exciting dive with many underwater photography opportunities.
- Visit The Elbow, so called because of a dramatic twist in the reef for the chance to see up to 50 spotted eagle rays. Be aware of strong currents.
- Enjoy more wall diving at Long Caye Wall, Grand Bogue, Silver Caves, Tarpon Caves.
- The Aquarium, Black Beauty and The Cathedral provide a stunning underwater landscape of coral formations amidst occasional turtle and eagle ray sightings
- Want to do a wreck dive while you're there? Visit the Wreck of the Sayonara.
Tips for Travellers / Travel Facts
In Belize, additional liveaboards fees usually include gear rental (not covered), up to 175 USD per. person, per 7 day trip or USD 260 per 10 days trip, Nitrox is offered at an additional cost of approx. USD 100 per week - USD 150 per 10 days trip. Every diver needs to purchase their own dive insurance. Alcoholic drinks and special gear such as torches may incur additional charges. A USD 95 port fee is also added to the liveaboard packages, this includes cruising tax and park fee. If you have any questions about extra fees in Belize, please contact us directly. Electricity voltage runs at 110 volts and the standard socket is North American style two-pin plug.
Minimum logged dives of approx. 60 are required for some of the dive sites and check dives on Belize liveaboards are often held on the first day.
The only recompression chamber in Belize is located on the north side of the airstrip in San Pedro. The chamber stands on Radio Frequency 14.4600 twenty-four hours a day.
There are no compulsory vaccinations for travel to Belize, however, we recommend standard protection against tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, polio, influenza, typhoid and hepatitis A. There is an endemic Malaria and Dengue Fever risk, especially during the rainy season. For advice on Malaria and Dengue, and the possible threat of the Zika virus seek professional medical advice before travelling. Foodborne diseases such as salmonella, amoebic and parasitic infections are not uncommon. It is recommended that you drink only purified bottled water.
How to get there
Belize Liveaboards depart from Belize City, 12 miles south of Phillip Goldson International Airport (PGIA) in Ladyville. Dedicated trips include dive sites such as The Lighthouse Reef and Turneffe Atoll Reef. These mid-ocean atoll formations offer endless opportunities for a world-class wall, drift, and coral-garden diving.
International flights to Belize depart regularly from around the world, often with a transfer in Miami, Florida. Flights to Belize are available on multiple airlines, such as American Airlines, British Airways, amongst others. From the UK, expect at least an 11-hour trip. From Germany, the journey can take up to 25 hours. Flight times from the USA vary from 3 to 5 hours.
Most countries do not require a Visa for travel to Belize. We recommend you check with your local embassy prior to departure. Valid Passport, proof of return and sufficient funds are required. Please note, there is a USD 35 departure tax, payable in U.S. dollars only.
