Belize Dive Resorts

If you've never been to a Belize dive resort, you're in for a treat.

It's a vacation destination for travelers and tourists, with private accommodations, often in secluded hideaways on islands or cayes. These operations are often top eco-tourist destinations.

You can choose from bustling towns, popular resorts, or quiet out-of-the-way spots surrounded by your choice of warm sea or rainforest. Locations range from rustic Hopkins, a traditional fishing village of 1300 people, to the capital, Belize City.

When you come to Belize, you'll discover one of the world's largest barrier reefs, second only to Australia's. You can try out the water that averages a year-long 82°F, a mini-trek in the rainforest, a climb up a Mayan pyramid, or a visit in a contemporary Mayan village. This land of contrasts — sea vs. land, jungle vs. reef, ancient vs. modern — will make your diving vacation here stand out from any other.

Here you'll find one-of-a-kind reefs — not on the tops of atolls or seamounts, as in the Pacific, but on the sides of steep underwater drop-offs. The rapid changes in depth allow for greater diversity and richer coral development. Above water are countless cayes, providing an exotic, romantic atmosphere for their lucky discoverers.

When you step off the plane, expect a smiling welcome as your resort representative whisks you off to your luxury vacation without delay. You'll receive generous servings of fine Belizean cuisine and a dizzying roller-coaster ride of experiences, ranging from rain forests teeming with subtropical life to palm-dotted sandy beaches and underwater fairylands.

Situated on the southern Yucatan peninsula between Guatemala, Mexico and the azure waters of the Caribbean, Belize benefits from an astonishing natural and historical bounty.

During Roman times, the Mayan Indians developed one of the world's greatest civilizations. After a brilliant heyday in which they created their own writing system, astronomy and calendar, their culture mysteriously disappeared. Their descendants today walk through a landscape filled with pyramids, abandoned cities, and mystery. Along the coast, pirates more recently made the jungle and the uncharted cayes their hideouts for a hundred years.

After decades as the colony of British Honduras, Belize became a member of the British Commonwealth. Later, in 1981, after many struggles, the country achieved independence.

Belize enjoys friendly relations with the United States, and benefits from both foreign investment and plenty of tourism. The country takes care to protect its rich natural habitats, and is a significant corporate banking center for the United States, which in turn provides most of the visiting divers.

At the dive resorts, it's no surprise that diving is a major activity. Scuba diving, snorkeling and PADI dive training all offer unforgettable experiences to the vacationer. Many establishments also provide drift diving. When diving from a boat, you can spend more time exploring underwater with no worries about swimming back to the boat, because the boat comes to you and picks you up when you surface. Don't forget your diving certification card!

Other water sports and activities include angling for bonefish and fly fishing at some of the best salt-water flats and resorts in the Western Caribbean. Be sure to observe the catch and release policy. Don't overlook kayaking, paddleboating, windsurfing and snorkeling off the dock or beach.

Beyond diving, one of the most unusual features of Belize is the variety of encounters you can have out of the water. Inland from the coast, the country is blessed with an abundance of life.

As you follow your guide through the dense rainforest, being careful to stay on the path, you will see a rainbow of 500 types of birds, including toucans, scarlet macaws, hummingbirds, parrots and egrets. Fast-moving shadows high in the trees are probably howler or spider monkeys, and river otters play in the streams.

You may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of peccaries and tapirs foraging on the forest floor. You probably won't meet the nocturnal jaguar or ocelot during the day. However, you undoubtedly will become closely acquainted with many of the smaller denizens of the forest. Insect protection is advised!

The forest you move through is a continuous explosion of palms, orchids, pine forests, mangroves, mahogany trees and sugarcane. You may also be amazed at the cornucopia of fruits and nuts around you, such as pineapples, mangoes, papayas, bananas, oranges, grapefruit, cashews and coconuts. If you stay outside more than a day or two, you may even find out firsthand why it's called a rain forest!

Of course, if you simply want to relax in a luxury beach resort and have some fun, you always have recourse to volleyball, the swimming pool or an inviting hammock. The word "luxury" is not just there for show. Later, once you're rested up and ready, you may decide you can't stay away from the diving. It's for you that the atolls and reefs are waiting.

Lighthouse Reef is the most famous atoll. Here you'll find the famous Blue Hole, a collapsed underwater cave hosting many rare species, along with the stunning nature preserve at Half Moon Caye. Other attractions include the more than 70 spectacular sites for diving and snorkeling, with nicknames like the "rainbowed reef," "CoCo Point," "the Elbow," "West Side Story," "Calabash Cut," "Oasis" and "Al's Hideout."

The snorkeling is especially good in Belize. The reefs are often shallow, making them unusually accessible. You can see eagle rays, groupers, stingrays, nurse sharks and a profusion of brightly-colored reef fish. The reef is also a sanctuary for dolphins.

As mentioned already, a distinctive attraction of the diving in Belize is the coral-covered walls of the underwater drop-offs. These cliffs extend for 140 miles, making Turneffe Atoll the most biodiverse spot in the entire Caribbean.

Another beauty spot is Glover's Reef, which receives few visitors and is mostly unexplored. Its pristine character led to its designation as a National Marine Reserve, and in 1997, it entered the ranks of World Heritage Sites.

Now, with so much to enjoy, you'll have to pick someplace to start. A list of the most popular resorts and diving operations usually includes the following names.

The Sunbreeze Hotel, on Ambergris Caye, is north of the town and a good value with a swimming pool and bar overlooking the sea. Hugh Parkey's Dive Connection is available here.

Hamanasi Dive and Adventure Resort is south of Dangriga, near the fishing village of Hopkins. Centrally located, it provides access to the best diving and onshore spots in Belize, including the Blue Hole. True to its name, Hamanasi can take you on a range of diving, snorkeling, rainforest and cultural adventures.

Turneffe Flats, located on Turneffe Atoll, offers 18 dives every week. Like most of the resorts, one of its top features is the chance to dive the Blue Hole. You'll appreciate the valet dive service: you only need to set up your dive gear on the first day, and each morning for the rest of the week, you'll find your gear washed and waiting for you on the dive boat.

Also on Turneffe is Turneffe Island Resort, offering scuba diving, fly fishing, helicopter tours and general luxury.

Blackbird Caye Dive Resort lies just outside Belize's Great Barrier Reef. With no phones or roads, you will be incognito and free to enjoy diving and snorkeling without a care in the world.

Ramon's Village specializes in scuba divers and snorkelers. It has a fine beach and salt water pool and rents out sail boats, jet skis, and wind surfers.

The ship Belize Aggressor III is a live-aboard dive boat based in Belize City. It rotates among prime dive spots including Turneffe and Lighthouse Reefs, Painted Wall, Half Moon Caye Wall, Quebrada and Blue Hole, providing unlimited diving for a full week. Also available are tours to Mayan ruins and the rainforest.

Last but not least, Dancer Fleet's Sun Dancer II, like the Aggressor III, helps visitors reach all the best dive sites.

The first-time visitor will naturally find it a challenge to choose from among these excellent services. On arrival, if you're not already committed, take a little time to get familiar with the place. There's much more information and lots of helpful folks at each Belize dive resort to answer all your questions. Here's to your next vacation!