Destination Overview:
Belize is for the diver as well as for the eco-minded traveler (often the same person). Belize boasts the second largest barrier reef in the world, which is interrupted only by some of the most beautiful islands imaginable. From Ambergris Caye, just 35 miles from mainland Belize, you’ll explore the stunning reef and enjoy excursions to Lighthouse Reef Atoll (home of the world famous Blue Hole) and Turneffe Atoll. You may also choose to stay at one of the private island resorts of Turneffe Atoll. Glover’s Atoll is more readily accessible from accommodations on mainland Belize.

Diving Details:
Words cannot adequately describe the wondrous, ever-changing world of underwater Belize, the languorous, sometimes breathless silence and the extraordinarily colorful nature of its inhabitants: the living corals, lobster, the conch in its elegant shell and fishes in unending shapes and sizes. One of the richest ecosystems on the planet, Belize’s reef is punctuated by scores of beautiful islands, sand bores, patch reefs, and various underwater structures that are home to hundreds of animal and plant species, including 220 types of fish and untold hundreds of invertebrates.

Insider Information:
The best time of year to see whale sharks is during the few days around full and new moons in April and May. The Elbow at Gladden Spit off the coast of Placencia is where they congregate to feed on larvae from thousands of spawning snapper.

Dive Operators

Dive Sites

Hotels

image Belizean Cove Estates
image Belizean Shores Resort
image Coco Beach Resort
image Mayan Princess
image Ramon's Village Resort
image SunBreeze Hotel
image SunBreeze Suites
image Blancaneaux Lodge
image Hamanasi Adventure & Dive Resort
image The Lodge at Chaa Creek
image Robert's Grove Beach Resort
image Turtle Inn
image Blackbird Caye Resort
image Turneffe Flats
image Turneffe Island Resort

Restaurants

Non-Diving Activities

  • Explore ancient Mayan Ruins
  • Go jungle trekking or zip line through the jungle canopy
  • Go cave-tubing
  • Take a mainland waterway kayak tour – stop to take a dip under a waterfall
  • Go deep sea fishing
  • Visit Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, the only jaguar sanctuary in the world and home to over 300 species of birds
  • Golf the spectacular 18-hole, Par 72 championship golf course (USGA rated) located on Caye Chapel, south of Ambergris Caye.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Belize is a tiny Central American country on the western edge of the Caribbean Sea. It lies east of Guatemala, north of Honduras and south of Mexico. The diving is mostly done from islands off the coast of Belize in the Western Caribbean.

A non-stop flight from Newark takes 5 hours. A non-stop flight from Miami takes a little over 2 hours. Non-stop flights from Dallas/Ft Worth, Atlanta, or Houston take 3 hours. From Chicago, it takes 5 hours plus a stopover. From Los Angeles, it takes 6 hours plus a stopover. From Charlotte, NC a non-stop flight takes 3.5 hours. From Seattle, it takes 7 hours plus a stopover.

They use the Belize Dollar (BZ). It has a fixed exchange rate with the US dollar: BZ $2 to US $1. Most hotels, resorts, tour operators, shops and restaurants accept US dollars and all major credit cards. Be aware though that some establishments will charge an extra 5% for using a credit card.

English is the official language of Belize, although Spanish, Creole, Garifuna and Mayan are widely spoken throughout the country.

Please visit www.travel.state.gov and choose “International Travel” and “Belize” to get the latest information. U.S. citizens who are staying for less than 30 days do not need a visa. However, you will need a passport valid through the duration of your stay and an onward/return ticket.

All adults traveling with minors (age 16 and under) who are not their children must present a letter of consent from the minor’s parents. If a child is traveling with only one parent, a letter of consent from the other parent must be provided. If the parents are divorced, a custody letter should be presented.

The address/contact information for the US embassy in Belize is:

Embassy of the United States of America
Floral Park Road
Belmopan, Cayo
Belize
International: Dial 011 +
Phone: (501) 822-4011
Fax: (501) 822-4012
Email: embelize@state.gov
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8am to 12noon and 1pm to 5pm.

For legal reasons, we cannot make official recommendations regarding shots or immunizations. Please consult with your physician or visit www.cdc.gov for more information.

They use 110 volts (same as US).

Please consult with your airlines regarding luggage requirements and restrictions.

American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Airlines, Group TACA and U.S. Airways all fly to Belize.

Yes, unless otherwise specified, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.

The largest barrier reef in the western hemisphere is located off Belize. Explore atolls, fringing reefs, patch reefs, vertical and sloping walls, stalactites and stalagmites. Enjoy sightings of angelfish, parrotfish, schools of snapper and diverse populations of grouper including Nassau, Tiger and Yellow Fin. Tropical reef fishes, toadfish, spotted eagle rays, turtles, sharks, manta rays, hammerhead sharks and bull sharks swim against a backdrop of tube sponges, and hard and soft corals. Water temperature is between 70 and 80 degrees all year round.

Most of your diving will be scheduled between 8am and 12 noon. A trip to Blue Hole is an all-day event, usually scheduled to depart at 8am and return by 5pm.

We recommend wearing a 3mm wetsuit. While the water can get warm enough to not wear a wetsuit, we recommend divers wear one for protection.

Most dive sites are within 10 to 15 minutes of the dive center. A trip to Blue Hole takes an hour and a half.

$35.00 airport fee, rental equipment, meals (unless otherwise specified)

E-tickets and vouchers are sent approximately 3 weeks prior to your departure.