Belize has (3) of the (5) Atolls in the Western Hemisphere
(1)  Lighthouse Reef Atoll    (2)  Turneffe Atoll    (3)  Glover's Reef Atoll
Diving Offshore Atolls - There are only four (4) atolls in the Western Hemisphere, and three (3) of them are right here in Belize.  Which makes diving here pretty special.  hey sit atop two parallel submerged mountain ridges separated by a deep water channel.  On one mountain ridge sits the Turneffe Atoll & the Glover's Reef Atoll.  On the other mountain ridge sits the Lighthouse Reef Atoll, which lies farther east.  These Atoll rise amidst deep offshore water, which makes possible ,some of the most spectacular wall dive sites in this region which promise excellent visibility.

Lighthouse Reef Atoll

Diving Lighthouse Reef Atoll - Of the three atoll reefs off the coast of Belize, Lighthouse Reef is the farthest offshore, but is far from neglected.  Lighthouse Atoll is a must-visit destination. This Atoll is part of a Marine Reserve that covers 10,000 acres and 15 square miles of surrounding sea.  The coral reefs that make Lighthouse one of the most exciting snorkeling destinations, which harbors a remarkable 200 species of fish. Since dive boats from San Pedro visit the atoll regularly and the larger live-aboard vessels are always found in the vicinity.  Within the confines of the reef, the depth is generally about 9 feet with sufficient room between the numerous patch reefs to maneuver any craft with shallow enough draft. The seabed is sandy and this, at least, allows the skipper to see the darker-colored patches of coral. As long as the sun is over the shoulder, the patch reefs are clearly seen. However, as soon as you turn and face the sun, the glare from the surface obscures the coral and extreme caution is advised.

Turneffe Atoll

Diving Turneffe Atoll - One of just three coral atolls located off the coast of Belize, Turneffe Atoll is one of the most beautiful natural locations in the country and a diverse marine habitat home to more than 500 species of fish, 65 species of corals, and hundreds of species of sea birds, mammals, and invertebrates.  The atoll is a protected marine area consisting of more than 150 mangrove islands as well as larger cayes (islands) that have a forest or savanna landscape. The shallow waters and huge areas of sea grasses make the atoll a popular spawning aggregation site for fish and amphibious species.

Glover's Reef Atoll

Diving Glover Reef Atoll - Named for pirate John Glover, Glover's Reef is the most southern of the three offshore reef systems and features some spectacular dive sites. Glover's distance from Belize City and Ambergris makes it a less frequently visited destination. Many of the islands in the southern part of Belize are virtually uncharted virgin territory, so southerly dive trips take a little more planning and creative organizing, but are well worth the effort. Those divers up for the adventure will find all the reefs along the atoll's southeastern limb feature dive sites abounding with shallow walls, fresh reefs and abundant pelagics.

The Blue Hole

Diving the Blue Hole - The Blue Hole is a giant marine sinkhole off the coast of Belize. It lies near the center of Lighthouse Reef, a small atoll 43 miles from the mainland and Belize City. The hole is circular in shape, 1,043 feet across and 407 feet deep.  The Great Blue Hole is one of the most popular and special sites for diving in the Belize Barrier Reef. Formed about 10,000 years ago at the end of the last Ice Age, the Blue Hole offers divers a uniquely gothic experience of starkly beautiful underwater caves featuring enormous stalactites and the occasional glimpse of the elusive hammerhead shark.  Even though it is an incredibly deep hole, the great visibility underwater allows divers to easily see the cave formations and marine wildlife, which has led to the site being consistently ranked as one of the top dive sites in the world.

Diving Belize Barrier Reef

Diving Belize Barrier Reef - The Belize Barrier Reef is a living coral reef described as solid mounds of submerged limestone, and is the richest and most diverse habitat in the ocean. The underwater landscape structure, tropical latitude and sea ocean currents make Belize the proud home of the largest living coral reef in the Western Hemisphere. Many visitors to our shores are looking for a unique SCUBA diving or snorkeling experience. The wide range of dive and snorkel sites in within and outside the Meso-American reef provides endless opportunities for the sport diver looking for challenging adventure, or even for beginners looking for safe snorkeling or wanting to gain PADI certification or additional training.

Related Topics