Snorkeling in Belize

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Caye Caulker Marine Reserve

Caye Caulker

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Declared a marine reserve in 1998, the 61-sq-mile Caye Caulker Marine Reserve includes the portion of the barrier reef that runs parallel to the island, as well as the turtle-grass lagoon adjacent to the Caye Caulker Forest Reserve. It is rich with sea life, including colorful sponges, blue-and-yellow queen angel fish, Christmas tree worms, star coral, redband parrotfish, yellow gorgonians and more.

Between April and September, snorkelers and divers might even spot a turtle or a manatee. All local snorkel and dive operators lead tours to the Caye Caulker Marine Reserve.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

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    Hol Chan Marine Reserve

    8.28 MILES

    At the southern tip of Ambergris, the 6.5-sq-mile Hol Chan Marine Reserve is probably Belize's most oft-visited diving and snorkeling site. It offers…

  • Museum of Belize

    Museum of Belize

    20.15 MILES

    This modern museum in the Fort George District provides an excellent overview of the story of Belize, told through exhibits housed in the country's former…

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    Goff's Caye

    27.09 MILES

    Some of the most spectacular snorkeling in Belize happens just a short swim off the powder-white sands of Goff's Caye, a tiny, uninhabited island just a…

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    Swing Bridge

    20.43 MILES

    This heart and soul of Belize City life, crossed by just about everyone here just about every day, is said to be the only remaining manually operated…

  • Mexico Rocks

    Mexico Rocks

    17.77 MILES

    This snorkeling site, 15 minutes from San Pedro and with a maximum depth of just 8ft, is a unique patch reef towards the northern end of the island…

  • Hol Chan Canyons

    Hol Chan Canyons

    8.52 MILES

    Four miles south of San Pedro, this part of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve is famous for its dramatic canyons and ample sea life, including eagle rays,…

  • Image Factory

    Image Factory

    20.42 MILES

    The country's most innovative and exciting art gallery stages new exhibitions and hosts regular book launches, usually of work by Belizean artists…

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    Altun Ha

    22.08 MILES

    Altun Ha, the Maya ruins that have inspired Belikin beer labels and Belizean banknotes, stands 31 miles north of Belize City, off the Old Northern Hwy…

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Nearby Caye Caulker attractions

2. Public Beach

0.81 MILES

There is not much in the way of sand at Caye Caulker's public beach, just before the Split, but sun lovers make use of the crumbing sea wall to take a…

3. Catholic Church

0.83 MILES

The island's Latin roots can be observed at the simple Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion church which serves the Catholic community.

4. The Split

0.87 MILES

A narrow channel that splits Caye Caulker into two, the Split has clean, deep waters free of seaweed, making it one of the island's best swimming areas…

5. Caye Caulker Forest Reserve

3.1 MILES

The northernmost 100 acres of the island constitute the Caye Caulker Forest Reserve, declared in 1998. Birdlife is prolific in the reserve, particularly…

6. Shark Ray Alley

7.81 MILES

Only snorkeling is allowed at this perennially popular spot, which is in a shallow part of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. Shark Ray Alley was traditionally…

7. Hol Chan Marine Reserve

8.28 MILES

At the southern tip of Ambergris, the 6.5-sq-mile Hol Chan Marine Reserve is probably Belize's most oft-visited diving and snorkeling site. It offers…

8. Hol Chan Canyons

8.52 MILES

Four miles south of San Pedro, this part of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve is famous for its dramatic canyons and ample sea life, including eagle rays,…