Ready to make the plunge? Scuba diving as you well know opens you up to a whole new world. Since only 5% of the ocean floor has been explored, there’s certainly room for more discoveries. Belize is a small country but well known to divers for having both the world’s largest blue hole and the longest unbroken barrier reef in the western half of the world. With new dive areas being discovered every year by avid divers, there are plenty options to explore. The newest and most exciting scuba diving prospects in Belize are emerging along the southern coast. Currently the least explored and populated portion of the country, you can expect some of the best diving experiences with half the divers.
Why Belize and Best Times to Go
Belize, home to the great Blue Hole and also home to over 500 species of fish, 450 cayes, 3 atolls, and a mixture of hard and soft coral species. It’s believed that only around 10% of all the species it contains have been discovered. The best time to go scuba diving in Belize is literally – anytime. No, really. Belize’s sub-tropical climate means there’s virtually blue skies and warm weather all year long. Warm weather makes for warm waters and March to December are considered especially good for exploring below the deck. August to October falls within Belize’s rainy season, but despite the implications, the rainy season coincidentally offers the best surface conditions ensuring that diving sites are accessible. August to October is also a low tourist season, meaning you’ll get some of the best diving deals and fewer divers.
Where to Stay
We just told you, try the southern coast. Hopkins and Placencia are both villages that straddle the southern coast with populations of under 1,500 people. Hopkins, considered the friendliest village by locals, is home to Belizean Dreams Resort. The name is no misnomer. With comfortable accommodations, stunning views and idyllic weather it will likely appear quite dreamy. What divers will appreciate about this resort is the fact that it is one of few that really understands and is geared towards satisfying the needs of divers. Belizean Dreams is one of the only all-inclusive resorts in Belize that’s also near spectacular scuba diving sites. Thinking about a vacation that includes diving with the family? In addition to fantastic diving packages to the Blue Hole, the atolls and beyond, Belizean Dreams also offers diving courses for children as young as 10 years old – complete with equipment and certification cards.
Ray Caye is a private island resort that offers a true, luxury off the grid experience a few miles east of Placencia. Ray Caye Resort also offers certifiable scuba diving courses – from Discover, to Open Water, Advanced Open Water and beyond. They have their own dive shop, so scuba diving tours and packages come with equipment included or a b.y.o.g., ‘bring your own gear’ option. Whether you use the resort’s equipment or your own, all equipment is cleaned and stored securely by the resort staff at the end of each session. March through to June are the best months for Whale Shark sightings and lucky for you, you’ll be right where it all happens. Gladden Spit and Silk Cayes Marine Reserve is a popular spawning site for many species of fish, calling these gentle giants to the area each year. You’ll be a few minutes from there and other popular diving sites like Turtle Canyons, complete with fish nursery for underwater photography enthusiasts, and Pompion Canyons, filled with towers of living coral.