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Diving the Great Barrier Reef in Belize

Placencia is the springboard to some of the best diving in Belize, if not the world!  Beneath the turquoise waters of Placencia, Belize is an underwater world that exceeds every other Caribbean dive destination in diversity, size and scope. Extending over 185 miles north to south, the Belize Barrier Reef system is the greatest stretch of coral in the Western Hemisphere and the second largest barrier reef in the world. The reef system encompasses wall drop-offs, pinnacles, spur and groove formations, swim-through and more.

Glovers Atoll: Glovers Atoll is Belize's most southern Atoll and one of UNESCO'S world heritage sites and marine reserve.  It offers world class wall diving and snorkeling on its various sites.  Glovers is also Belize's best formed coral atoll structure and boast a wide abundance of hard coral formation and marine life, commonly seen are turtles, reef sharks, eagle rays, Nassau groupers, different species of huge snappers and more colorful reef fish.  it surely takes more than one trip to explore the Atoll.

Distance: 30 nautical miles from Placencia, approximately 1:45 minutes boat ride

Level: Intermediate 

Blue Hole: The excursion begins early, leaving the Dive Shop about 6am and returning about 5pm.  While the snorkelers explore the fringing reefs, divers descend along the wall to a depth of 130 feet.  At the depth of 120 feet, divers can clearly see the stalactites which were formed from dripping water when the cave was above sea level.  Due to the depth of the dive there will only be  an 8 to 10 minutes bottom dive.

The second dive is done at half moon caye wall which is known for its abundance of marine life.  The seascape is covered with abundance of sponges, sea fans and a variety of coral which makes for a kaleidoscope of colors.

Between our second and third dive, we visit Half Moon Caye for lunch on the beach.  The most famous inhabitants of this island are its Red-footed Boobies and Frigate birds which nest on the caye.  The third dive is done at the Aquarium.  The site is named for the wide variety of small resident reef fish on the reef top and along the edge of the wall.

Whale Shark:  The two tank whale shark diving at Gladden Split is lead by trained whale shark guides to ensure your safety and the safety of the whale sharks.  (These dives are up to 80 feet in depth and not recommended for divers just learning how to dive)

Local Reef Dive:  The dives include Wall Dives, Canyon Dives and Faro Dives.  Each day your guide determines the best site depending on the interest of the group and the weather condition of the day.  The diving includes two tank dives.

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