With the world’s second-largest barrier reef, crystal-clear waters, and a wide variety of marine life, it’s no surprise Belize is a top scuba diving destination. However, these factors also mean Belize is home to a surprisingly large number of amazing dive sites. This can make choosing which ones to visit during your dive vacation a challenge. To help make this process a little easier, we’ve put together a guide to the six best dive sites in Belize.
The Great Blue Hole is the most iconic dive site in Belize — and for good reason! This world-famous sinkhole sits approximately 44 miles (70 kilometers) offshore and spans 300 meters (984 feet) across, making it visible from space. Recreational divers are able to explore up to 40 meters (131 feet) of its 122-meter (400-foot) depths, which are filled with stalactites and stalagmites.
A variety of marine species, such as groupers, gobies and hundreds of other colorful fish, thrives along the Blue Hole’s perimeter reef. The hole interior is darker and has little to no coral, meaning there is less marine life inside. However, divers frequently spot blacktip sharks and reef sharks gliding by, with the occasional bull or hammerhead shark also making an appearance.
Half Moon Caye Wall is definitely vying for the top spot as Belize’s best dive site. Not only does this site offer reliable visibility, it boasts some of the best marine life diversity in Belizean waters. From reef sharks and groupers to spotted eagle rays and turtles, you’ll never surface feeling disappointed from this dive.
Furthermore, the Half Moon Caye dive site is just a short journey away from the Great Blue Hole dive site. This proximity means it’s perfectly feasible to pair these two standout dive sites, especially for divers tight on free days and looking to maximize their dive time.
Esmeralda Canyons is regarded as one of the most beautiful dive sites in Belize. It is also conveniently located a short boat journey from San Pedro town on Ambergris Caye. The coral-covered canyons and variety of marine life at this popular dive site are sure to leave a lasting impression. Nurse sharks, reef sharks, cat sharks, eagle rays, turtles and stingrays are all possible logbook entries, as well as a variety of colorful reef fish, such as parrot fish and snapper.
Turneffe Atoll is considered by many divers to contain some of the world’s most spectacular diving. The Elbow, which is located at the southern end of the atoll, offers the chance to meet a variety of marine creatures. These include turtles, stingrays and both nurse and reef sharks. But perhaps the most noteworthy of the potential wildlife encounters at The Elbow is a squadron of eagle rays often seen in the area.
Another handy benefit of this well-regarded region is its proximity to the coast. When diving from the mainland, the shorter boat journeys allow divers to minimize travel time and maximize time in the water.
Hol Chan Marine Reserve is one of the most popular diving and snorkeling spots in Belize. Its combination of great visibility, colorful corals and a variety of marine life make it an enjoyable experience for divers of every level. Marine life is abundant, and divers can expect to have full logbook pages after each dive. Eagle rays, loggerhead turtles, barracuda, moray eels, nurse sharks, stingrays and parrotfish are all commonly encountered here.
A recent addition to Belize’s dive scene, the Witconcrete Wreck, known locally as The Wit, has quickly become a must-visit site for wreck diving enthusiasts. This ship, which was originally built in the USA for use during WWII but spent most of its career as a sugar transporter in Central America, was intentionally sunk off the coast of Turneffe Atoll to create an artificial reef in December 2021. Today, she lies between 50 and 80 feet (15 and 24 meters) deep, and the 375-foot (114-meter) wreck is already attracting an abundance of marine life, making it a perfect destination for both novice and experienced divers.
Now you know where to dive, it’s time to make it happen by booking the dive vacation of your dreams. Belize has a variety of top-rated dive resorts to choose from. Explore the best scuba diving resorts in Belize here, or contact our PADI Travel experts via phone, chat or email to discuss more options tailored to your needs.
View All Dive Resorts in Belize
Share This