Caye Caulker Diving 

Belize's barrier reef is a paradise for divers. 
Its the second largest reef in the world and it's immense span of living reef, encompasses every kind of coral known to nature.

The Reef begins at the northern end of Belize 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 snorkelers 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.

Several 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.

The Blue Hole  

Lighthouse Reef, 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. 

Dive down to a depth of 130 feet 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. 

Turneffe Atoll

The Turneffe chain offers a diverse scuba environment, including shallow coral head diving, wall diving to 130 feet 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. 

Offshore beautiful reefs and dramatic walls 
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.

Caye Caulker Snorkeling

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.

Local Snorkeling from Caye Caulker
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.

Hol Chan Marine Park and San Pedro 
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. . .

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. 

Before the third snorkel stop, the boat pulls into San Pedro where you can have lunch at one of the many beachfront restaurants. Afterwards take some time to walk around the town. On the way back to Caye Caulker the last snorkel stop is at Coral Gardens. 

Where to Stay in Caye Caulker

Caye Caulker Condos
Modern Resort-Hotel with daily room service. Queen-size bed, fully equipped kitchen, AC, tile floors - 100 feet from the beach and Caribbean.

Stay at Caye Caulker Condos as part of a Belize Explorer
Rainforest, Ruins & Reef Vacation Package