Snorkeling in Belize

The small country of Belize has some of the greatest snorkeling in the world. Belize is not just a snorkeling paradise-it also has Maya ruins, a pristine rain forest, and miles of sandy beaches. Belize is home to the world's second largest barrier reef, the 185 mile long Belize Barrier Reef, much of it unexplored by snorkeling or diving. In addition to the reef, Belize has many cayes (pronounced keys) between the mainland and the reef, on the reef and or within the reef perimeters of the offshore atolls. Mangrove reefs are usually uninhabitable by humans but provide great habitat for marine life and are prime snorkeling spots. The coral cayes are inhabited and have resorts for lovers of marine life.

Belize is located in Central America right under Mexico and next to Guatemala on the Western Caribbean Sea. Its population is a mix of many different ethnic groups and its people are friendly. Because it was a former British colony, the official language is English. Spanish is also widely spoken. American dollars are accepted anywhere.

Belize is in the sub tropics and mean annual temperature is 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The humidity is high but ocean breezes temper it. The ocean temperature ranges between 75 and 84 degrees. Because the sea is in the subtropics, the concentration of salt is greater making swimmers more buoyant. In fact, it is rather difficult to sink.

Perhaps the best place for a first time snorkeling vacation in Belize is Ambergris Caye. This island is 25 miles long and only one half mile from the Barrier Reef. There are many good snorkeling sites right off the island.
If you are a first time snorkeler it would be a good idea to do this first. You can rent the mask, snorkel, and fins at many places and start by just standing in the water and putting your face in the water. Many people have an initial fear of breathing while their mouth and nose are submerged. You can then start puttering around, getting used to the fins. In no time you should feel very comfortable snorkeling.

Snorkeling trips cost $20 to $25 and include your snorkeling equipment. Guides go through rigorous training. The easiest snorkeling is at Mexican Rocks. Here you are protected from ocean swells and you will see beautiful coral. The depth is only 6 to 12 feet. A second trip could be taken to the Hol Chan Reserve. Here the fish are abundant and you may see fish found nowhere else in the world. Taking fish or coral or feeding fish is strictly forbidden. You will also see hard coral, gorgonians, sea fans, tunicates, and shell fish. Swells can sometimes be strong so the snorkeler needs to be careful not to drift too far away from the group. A third trip is more adventurous. You will go to Shark-Ray Ally where guides sometimes chum and you can snorkel among nurse sharks and stingrays. This is perfectly safe-no one has ever been attacked.

Snorkeling in Belize is snorkeling in Paradise. You will want to come back again and again because no one vacation can cover everything.