The vast majority of our planet's surface is covered with water, and as humans, it is our duty to use this water for our amusement. A swim at the lake, a cannonball into the pool, a canoe trip on the local river … these are all ways that we can have some fun with water.
For the people in the Central American country of Belize, the water usually means the Caribbean Sea. Having fun in the water can take many forms, and tourists from around the world come to Belize to enjoy them all.
Diving and Snorkeling in Belize
Scuba divers and snorkelers are essentially underwater sightseers. When they don the fins and masks, they're looking for something interesting in the deep blue sea. Fortunately for them, Belize has plenty of sights.
- Belize Barrier Reef – At 185 miles long, the Belize Barrier Reef is the second longest barrier reef in the world. The reef covers almost a quarter of a million acres and has an abundance of dive sites in the 50 to 100 feet range. Be prepared to see a wide variety of aquatic life, from loggerhead turtles to fluorescent barrel sponges to the white-spotted toad fish, a Belize exclusive.
- Blue Hole – One of the world's iconic dive sites, the Blue Hole is a 1,000-foot-diameter hole that bottoms out at just over 400 feet deep. There's quite a bit of coral around the Blue Hole, so snorkelers enjoy this site as much as scuba divers.
- South Water Caye Marine Reserve – This 62 square mile area contains several cayes (islands) and habitat that ranges from mangrove to sea grass to coral. Some of the cayes have reef snorkeling sites immediately off shore, and divers won't want to miss a chance to explore Hell Hole, an underwater cave featuring stalactites and populated by rays and eels.
- Half Moon Caye National Monument – This island is minutes away from the Blue Hole, and is a good place to rest up between dives. Snorkelers can inspect some colorful coral and bird watchers will enjoy sightings of the rare Red Footed Booby.
In addition to scuba diving and snorkeling, another method of underwater exploration is available. Snuba is a cross between scuba and snorkel. A masked diver is connected by an air hose to a pressurized air tank that floats on the surface. Snuba allows underwater breathing, with the freedom of movement snorkelers enjoy. With a range of up to 20 feet deep, snorkelers are no longer prisoners of such trivial things as air and breathing.
Vacation Resorts in Belize
Several vacation resorts are available in Belize, and the nature of activities to be enjoyed will influence which resort is chosen. If a vacation in Belize is geared around the land-based activities of the jungle, it makes sense to select a vacation resort that specializes in these attractions. When snorkeling and diving are the main subject of the trip, chose a resort that caters to the attractions of the sea.
Ambergris Caye is located at the north end of the Belize Barrier Reef, and is the largest island off the coast of Belize. Resort options on the caye are many, and each can help with arrangements with diving equipment and many will recommend reliable guides to help with a diving adventure.
Hamanasi Adventure & Dive Resort is a highly respected resort on the island, and in the recent past, has been named the best resort in Belize, and in Central America. The Hamanasi Dive and Snorkel Team can help ensure a spectacular and safe diving vacation, even if you are a first time diver.
Spectacular diving opportunities abound in Belize. Divers and snorkelers of all experience levels will surely find plenty of reasons to start planning their next trip to one of the world's great diving destinations.
Dave Lovejoy - Dave is a graduate of the University of Nebraska. He is involved in farming and has a custom made furniture business that has customers ...
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