Belize Diving: When to Visit for Blue Hole Adventures and Coral Atoll Reefs

With its warm Caribbean waters, protected marine reserves, and world-famous Great Blue Hole, Belize is one of the most accessible and biodiverse dive destinations in the Western Hemisphere. From colorful coral gardens and steep walls to atolls that rival the South Pacific, the country’s offshore sites offer both variety and spectacle. Whether you're finning beside reef sharks at Turneffe Atoll, descending into the ancient sinkhole at Lighthouse Reef, or gliding through schools of fish off Half Moon Caye, knowing when to go can make all the difference. Here’s your guide to the best time to dive in Belize — and where to explore when you get there.

Quick Summary

Best time to dive: April to June (best visibility and whale shark season)
Water temperature: 26–29°C (79–84°F)
Visibility: 20 to 40 meters (65–130 feet)
Marine highlights: Reef sharks, turtles, eagle rays, whale sharks, coral gardens, sinkholes
Season type: Tropical; diving year-round with wet and dry seasons

Diving Seasons in Belize

Dry Season (February to June)

This is the ideal time to dive in Belize, with calm seas, warm water, and exceptional underwater visibility, particularly at Turneffe Atoll and Lighthouse Reef. April to June is also whale shark season in the south, particularly off Gladden Spit, where these gentle giants appear around the full moon to feed on spawning fish eggs.

Conditions during these months are ideal for exploring deeper sites, such as the Great Blue Hole, where early-morning descents into its 130-meter-wide sinkhole offer visibility down to 40 meters and a surreal landscape of stalactites and shadows. Coastal and atoll sites see lighter currents and good light penetration, making it an excellent time for both wide-angle and macro photography.

Wet Season (July to November)

Rainy season in Belize brings higher humidity and afternoon showers, but diving remains consistent, especially around the offshore atolls, which are less affected by runoff. Water temperatures stay warm, and crowds thin out, making this a peaceful time for experienced divers.

Storms and hurricanes are a risk from August to October, but operators closely monitor weather systems and adjust schedules accordingly. Diving at Half Moon Caye, Lighthouse Reef, and Turneffe’s back reef lagoons can still be excellent during the early wet season, with good opportunities to encounter spotted eagle rays, nurse sharks, and turtles on nearly every dive.

Marine Life Highlights

Belize lies within the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second-largest barrier reef system in the world. The country’s offshore atolls, especially Turneffe Atoll and Lighthouse Reef, are biodiversity hotspots. Divers frequently encounter Caribbean reef sharks, barracuda, jacks, and turtles, along with healthy coral formations and sea fans teeming with a variety of smaller reef life.

The Great Blue Hole, although not renowned for its abundant fish life, offers a unique geological dive with hanging stalactites, occasional reef sharks, and an otherworldly atmosphere. Nearby at Half Moon Caye Wall, you’ll find vertical drop-offs adorned with sponges, tubes, and colorful coral formations, plus a good chance to spot eagle rays cruising the current.

Macro enthusiasts will love Turneffe’s inner reefs, which hide seahorses, pipefish, blennies, and nudibranchs, especially in shallow protected lagoons. Seasonal visitors like whale sharks, manatees, and loggerhead turtles add to the area’s draw.

Photography Tips by Season

The dry season is ideal for wide-angle photography, offering optimal conditions for capturing dramatic reef structures, shark silhouettes, and sinkhole perspectives at the Great Blue Hole. Use early light for reef scenes at Half Moon Caye Wall and Lighthouse Reef, and strobes for deeper dives inside the Blue Hole’s cavern zone.

Macro photography is rewarding year-round, particularly on Turneffe’s shallow patch reefs and mangrove edges. Bring a 60mm or 105mm lens for tiny reef creatures, and consider night dives for octopuses, lobsters, and sleeping parrotfish in their mucus cocoons.

Dive Travel Tips for Belize

Liveaboards vs Resorts: Belize is well-suited to both. Liveaboards access remote sites like Lighthouse Reef, Blue Hole, and Half Moon Caye on week-long itineraries. Resort-based diving is concentrated in Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker, Placencia, and Turneffe Island.
Booking in advance: The high season is from March to June; book 4–6 months in advance, especially for whale shark trips, Blue Hole packages, and liveaboards.
Permits: Dive sites such as the Blue Hole and Half Moon Caye are located within protected areas and require payment of marine park fees. Most operators include these in the package.

Liveaboards and Dive Operators

Top liveaboards include the Belize Aggressor IV and Belize Aggressor III, which offer 7-night cruises to Turneffe Atoll, Lighthouse Reef, Half Moon Caye, and the Great Blue Hole, typically departing from Belize City.

Land-based operators like Turneffe Island Resort, Ramon’s Village (Ambergris Caye), and Splash Dive Center (Placencia) offer day trips to the Blue Hole and local reefs, with full diving programs including Nitrox, night dives, and PADI courses.

Other Top Dive Destinations by Season

If you're exploring the Caribbean or the Americas, also consider:

When to Dive in Belize

For the best visibility, weather, and chance of pelagic encounters, plan your dive trip to Belize between April and June. This window includes whale shark season, optimal conditions at the Great Blue Hole, and peak reef life at Turneffe Atoll and Lighthouse Reef. While diving is possible year-round, this sweet spot offers everything from shallow macro sites to deep technical descents — all within one of the Caribbean’s most vibrant marine environments.