The coral
Colourful fish.
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Belize's best-known snorkelling site, a marine reserve of about 18 square kilometres at a cut in the barrier reef south of Ambergris Caye, the country's largest island. Its Maya name means «little channel», as the current runs through it between the open sea and the inner lagoon, carrying food and drawing crowds of life. Swimmers glide over coral formations of many colours, among schools of parrotfish, snapper and grouper, sea turtles, stingrays and moray eels hiding in the cracks. Trips usually also stop at Shark Ray Alley in the reserve, where calm nurse sharks and rays gather. Trips start from the colourful town of San Pedro on the island, with its long beach, wooden piers and streets full of golf carts; the island itself is bigger and better served than Caye Caulker. The boat ride is about half an hour from San Pedro, and a guide is required in the reserve. Use licensed operators; sea trips are cancelled in rough weather, and the hurricane season runs from June to November. Do not touch or stand on coral, do not feed or touch marine life, and use reef-safe sunscreen.
Colourful fish.
And stingrays.
A colourful town.
South of Ambergris Caye, about 6 km from San Pedro
No, most visitors snorkel, as the reef is shallow and the water clear, with a guide on a licensed boat.