The lagoon
Turquoise water.
KimonBerlin — CC BY-SA 2.0 · KimonBerlin — CC BY-SA 2.0 · KimonBerlin — CC BY-SA 2.0
One of Belize's three coral atolls, some 45 kilometres offshore, about 32 kilometres long and 12 wide, enclosing a turquoise lagoon dotted with about 850 small patch reefs, with small palm-topped sand islands on its south-east rim. It is a marine reserve and part of the Belize Barrier Reef World Heritage Site, so its waters are among the clearest in the Caribbean, home to healthy reefs, parrotfish, grouper, turtles and rays. Visitors snorkel the shallow lagoon, while divers explore outer walls that drop into great depths. Its remoteness makes a visit a long trip: day trips from Placencia or Hopkins, or stays of several days at simple island lodges for kayakers and snorkellers, far from everything. The open sea on the way can be rough, and boats are cancelled in strong wind. 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.
Turquoise water.
Deep diving.
Palms and sand.
About 45 km off Belize's southern coast
On a long day trip from Placencia or Hopkins, or by staying a few days at a simple island lodge.