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.
Its the second largest reef in the world and it's immense
span of living reef, encompasses every kind of coral known
to nature.
and
continues some 150 miles south forming the edge of the countries
coastal shelf. With over 200 small islands, called
cayes (pronounced "keys") strewn out along the
way, it's also where three of the four atolls in the Caribbean
can be found.
From Caye Caulker, local dive sites are reached
in a matter of minutes. Protected waters inside the reef
make getting to sites easy and comfortable. Additionally,
divers and snorkeler's will find the Caribbean waters comfortable,
with constant year-round temperatures in the low 80's.
Visibility
in the Caribbean is 50-100 feet with the undersea world
appearing in vibrant colors; where underwater photos develop
just as you see it, crisp and clear.
Reputable licensed dive operators offer trips to a host of sites. Most popular include Cypress Tunnels where divers gaze at coral canyons, loggerhead turtles, yellowtail snappers, large groupers, sleek barracuda, nurse sharks and spotted eagle rays. Pyramid Flats have eagle rays and loggerhead turtles. Excursions are offered to the erie Blue Hole, at Lighthouse Reef Atoll leaving experienced divers with lifelong memories.
best known for the Blue Hole, is a world class dive site made famous by Jack Cousteau.
In the lexicon of diving, Belize is synonymous with the Blue Hole, a circular cave system which formed before
the last ice age and collapsed when sea levels rose 300
to 400 feet, forming a blue hole more than 400 feet deep
and nearly 1,000 feet in diameter.
where you will
be awed by enormous stalactites the size of trees.
This area is a favorite hangout of Hammerhead Sharks and
other exotic marine species. The Blue Hole is about 2 hours
by boat from Caye Caulker, so the excursion can be
enjoyed as a day trip or as an overnight.
The Turneffe Islands make up the largest of the three offshore atoll reefs in Belize and offer a diverse scuba environment,
including shallow coral head diving, wall diving and wrecks.
Within Turneffe Atoll's cluster of small islands lies the
interior shallows and flats with it's maze of mangrove-lined
channels and tiny uninhabited cayes. This area is also home
to the manatee, which can often be found feeding in the
grassy flats.
offer incredible diving with great visibility. Gorgonians
(fan corals) turtles, schools of Jack, pompano, chub and
snapper cruise the reef. Large predatory fish such
as sharks and big Grouper are often seen. Turneffe Atoll
is considered to have some one of the best diving in Belize.
Most of the area inside the reef is less than 20 feet deep and you can see as much with a mask and snorkel from the surface as you can diving. In just 6-10 feet of water you'll find an amazing diversity of marine life. Also the reef provides protection which makes for extremely clear, calm water so it's ideal for snorkeling.
Less than 10 minutes from shore, visitors discover the world beneath the waves in the Caye Caulker Marine Reserve, a prime location to snorkel and dive. See nurse sharks and feed an eagle ray at Shark Ray Village where southern stingrays pass inches below a snorkeler's feet in shallow water. Sight deeper at 15-20 feet is Coral Gardens, where bolder-like coral clusters protect tiny marine life.
Not far away This full day tour takes you to Hol
Chan Marine Reserve, Mayan for "little channel".
Since it was established as a Marine Reserve in 1987, the fish have had
time to grow very large, especially groupers. Barracudas,
red snappers, and even octopi are some of it's inhabitants.
Next stop is Shark /Ray Alley. . .
Hundreds of sting rays of all sizes congregate here, accompanied
by families of friendly
Nurse sharks. With a depth of only
8 feet, the Sand Bar offers great photo opportunities.
Visit Caye Caulker on a duPlooy Travel
Dive Package or Jungle, Ruins & Reef Vacation Package
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