Adventure Guide: Scuba Diving in Belize

Just to the south of Mexico and to the west of Guatemala, there is a place that is certain to be a scuba diver's paradise! Apart from the beautiful beaches and lush jungles, Belize offers some of the best scuba diving the world has to offer. Not only does this tropical area have the second largest barrier reef in the world, it also sports the "Big Blue Hole". Here are some examples of the great experiences that a scuba diver can have while at Belize!

Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley

These two great areas are about 4 miles south of San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. It is one of the most, if not the most, popular site to go to while in Belize. The reserve is about 3 square miles and is about 30 ft deep in most areas. Marine life is quite abundant in this area with an astounding 160 species of fish in this area. Some of those include the Red Grouper, the Bridled Goby, Trumpetfish, the Blue Tang, and of course, sharks! There are also 45 species of coral, 5 species of sponges, and 2 kinds of seagrass that have been identified in this beautiful area. This is the ultimate area the diver who enjoys color and beauty!

Blue Hole

The Blue Hole is the ultimate for the adventure diving enthuisiast! Measuring 1000 feet in diameter and around 450 feet deep, the Blue Hole has a lot of offer! After descending about 110 feet, the diver will begin to see the huge stalactites, stalagmites, and columns that decorate this huge underwater cavern. While recreational divers will not be able to venture farther than about 150 feet, they will be able to admire this beautiful cavern while viewing some interesting marine life. One might run into several different sharks while down there to include the blacktip tiger shark, reef sharks, and maybe even a hammerhead shark! Though it isn't possible to explore this astounding place for too long because of its depth, the Blue Hole is not an experience a diver is going to want to miss!

Belize is a great place to go diving, not only for beauty but also for the adventure! So the next time you are planning a vacation, think of Belize! Not only does it have the beach and jungle setting, it has also got some great diving sites as well! You won't regret it!