Portofino Beach Resort, Ambergris Caye, San Pedro and Caye Caulker

Like much of Belize’s barrier reef diving, you can expect classic spur-and-groove formations on the exposed side of the reef, with beautiful formations to explore and sponge-scattered coral gardens. The inner side of the reef is sheltered and shallow, while the outer side descends, plateau by plateau, into the depths of the Caribbean Sea. Here, the combination of deeper water and faster-flowing currents means pelagic fish are the main attraction, with sharks, rays and other species all on the cards.

Ambergris Caye diving

Hol Chan, at Ambergris Caye’s southern tip, was the first area in Belize to be designated as a reserve and is one of the region’s most popular dive spots. The reserve includes barrier reef, seagrass flats, and mangrove areas, and is home to tarpons, grunts, and snapper. Experienced divers can fin out to the drop-off where spotted eagle rays and schools of barracuda can often be seen.

Just south of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, a site known as Shark Ray Alley has become a hotspot for Southern stingrays and nurse sharks, drawn to the area by fishermen that clean their catch. Other fish attracted to the food include horse-eye jacks, silver porgy, blue runners, and Caribbean Ballyhoo. Here, snorkellers can swim amongst dozens of these docile stingrays and slow-moving sharks in crystal-clear water as they gather in anticipation of an easy meal.

Mexico Tunnel is another famous site, featuring a 40-metre long ‘tunnel’ between two spurs in the reef. Despite the name, this tunnel is really more of a gully, providing a great experience for beginner divers, as well as those with more experience. Longspine squirrelfish, hogfish, tiger grouper, foureye butterflyfish, and blue tangs can all be seen here. For wide-angle photography, Tackle Box Canyons near San Pedro is hard to beat with dark caverns, tunnels and walls contrasting with the clear, coral-filled waters above.

Caye Caulker diving

Around Caye Caulker you can find more canyon-like coral formations at sites such as Rock Beauty, Island Queen Canyons, and Raggedy Anne. Divers based on the island can also dive Ambergris Caye just 25-kilometres to the north, and many dive centres will also offer extended day trips to famous sites such as Turneffe Atoll, Lighthouse Reef and the Great Blue Hole.