BELIZE'S REEFS

The Belize Barrier Reef System is more than 185 miles long and is the greatest stretch of coral in the Western Hemisphere. It is home to an astounding variety of coral reef formations including walls, pinnacles, spur and groove, swim-throughs. Farther offshore are three enormous rings of coral known as atolls which provide of miles of additional diving opportunities.

The underwater world of Belize exceeds every other Caribbean dive destination in diversity, size and scope.

Glover's Reef Atoll

Glover's Reef Atoll, is named after the 17th century pirate John Glover, who used the remote islands as the base for his raids against Spanish galleons heading to and from the Bay Islands of Honduras.

Glover's Reef is the most remote island group in Belize. Rising out of the blue from a depth of well over 2,000 feet, this oval shaped coral formation surrounds more than 700 patch reefs inside its 100 square mile crystalline lagoon. Of the three atolls, Glover's Reef sees the least amount of human contact and is largely unexplored.

Come see for yourself why this atoll was recently designated a National Marine Reserve and, in 1997, a World Heritage Site by UNESCO

Southern Barrier Reef

Diving massive and the endless walls of the Southern Barrier Reef typically produces sightings of spotted eagle rays, turtles, moray eels, southern stingrays, large grouper, barracuda, dolphins and several shark species, as well as almost every kind of tropical reef fish in regular profusion.

These sites are typically wall drift dives interspersed with sand channels and adorned with many varieties of brightly colored sponges and gargonia corals.

Turneffe Island Atoll

Turneffe Atoll is surrounded by mangrove islands. These mangrove islands are special as they are the nurseries on which almost all marine life depend to insure juvenile protection .

Although the atoll is best known for its massive walls, there are many shallow sea gardens and bright sand flats inside the reef excellent for snorkeling and scuba diving. The highlight of Turneffe Atoll diving is a site called the Elbow which is located at the atoll's southern tip. It is here at that several ocean currents convergence providing an opportunity to dive through enormous schools of permit, snapper, eagle rays, spadefish, grouper and jacks numbering at times in the thousands.

The South Water Cay Marine Reserve

Situated 10 miles offshore The South Water Cay Marine Reserve is home to some of the best walls on The Belize Barrier Reef system. The Reserve is visited by only a few resorts and dive boats so you can expect to have a mile or two of world class wall to yourself. 

The travel time to many of the dive sites from Jaguar Reef Lodge is approximately 30 minutes.

Dives like The Abyss, Paradise Reef, or Black Beauty feature steep walls and overhangs covered with sponges and corals including healthy populations of black coral.  Eagle rays and turtles are common sightings. Mantas, hammerheads, whale sharks and dolphins are also seen regularly the South Water Cay Marine Reserve