People travel from near and far to experience the magic of diving in Belize. With its dazzling barrier reef, incredible collection of fish species, and gorgeous year-round weather, it’s no surprise why this destination is cherished by so many. Read on to learn about where you can find the best diving in Belize.
If you’re planning a trip to Belize, you should take advantage of our free insider’s guide to the area. There are so many wonderful activities and things to see in our area, and our Vacation Guide outlines it all for you!
3 of Belize’s Best Dive Spots
Mahogany Bay Resort is located on Ambergris Caye—Belize’s largest island. The island is known for its postcard-perfect tropical scenery, fascinating aquatic life and marine reserves, and outstanding snorkeling and scuba diving. Learn about some of the best diving spots in Belize that you need to check out!
1. Great Blue Hole
If you’re an avid diver, exploring the Great Blue Hole must be on your bucket list. As the largest ocean sinkhole in the world, Belize’s Great Blue Hole spans over 1000 feet across and 400 feet deep. The site was made world-famous in the 1970s when Jacques-Yves Cousteau declared it one of the world’s top ten best scuba diving sites.
This mysterious formation lies near the center of Lighthouse Reef atoll, is almost perfectly circular, and is surrounded by fringing reefs that make for outstanding snorkeling conditions. As you dive down into the deep hole, you’ll find stalagmites, colorful sea anemones, coral formations, and maybe even Caribbean reef sharks and bull sharks.
2. Half Moon Caye
Located at the southeast corner of Lighthouse Reef Atoll, Half Moon Caye is a Belizean island that is a natural monument, a nature reserve, and a protected marine area. Its clean, picturesque beaches paired with its crystal-clear water make this a favorite diving spot amongst many.
The seas around Half Moon Caye are diversely populated with an abundance of marine life, including grouper, snapper, hogfish, stingrays, and sand eels. It’s also the only viable breeding site for the red-footed booby bird colony in the western Caribbean.
3. Hol Chan Marine Reserve
At the southern tip of Ambergris Caye, you’ll find the incredible diving spot Hol Chan Marine Reserve. This is a protected environment that’s part of the Belize Barrier Reef. Marine life is in abundance here, and divers frequently see sea turtles, moray eels, parrotfish, and more.
Hol Chan Marine Reserve is not only home to beautiful coral formations and marine life, but also vast areas of shallow seagrass beds, beloved by sea turtles, nurse sharks, and southern stingrays. Shark Ray Alley is a particular part of the calm shallows inside the reef that’s popular with — you guessed it — sharks and stingrays. These snorkeling and diving spots provide a once in a lifetime opportunity to get up close and personal with these fascinating and friendly creatures.
When To Go Diving in Belize
It’s always a great time to embark on a diving expedition in Belize! Belize has a tropical climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. The sea temperatures typically average a comfortable 82 degrees. In fact, most divers do not wear wetsuits in Belize! The two main seasons here are the wet season and dry season. The wet season runs from June to November, and the dry runs from December to May. Although diving is an activity that can be enjoyed during any time of the year, the dry season yields slightly better conditions. During this time, there’s a lower likelihood that your trip will be impaired by rainy or overcast conditions, which can impact underwater visibility.
On-site Diving at Mahogany Bay Resort
One of the best parts about staying with us at Mahogany Bay Resort is that we are a full-service resort with open-air restaurants and bars, individual villas, and standalone businesses. To satisfy all your adventure cravings, we offer diving opportunities here on-site. Plus, San Pedro is hands-down the best place to stay for divers. The amazing reef is right in our backyard! In some spots, the reef lies less than a half-mile from shore—no other location in Belize is that close!
PADI Five Star Diving Center
We’re thrilled to offer an on-site PADI Five Star Dive Center here at Mahogany Bay Resort. Our dive shop provides a full range of PADI scuba diving education programs, equipment selection, and excursion opportunities. Whether you’re craving thrilling encounters at Shark Ray Alley or you want to explore the famous Great Blue Hole, our dive operators have you covered here at our top-notch dive center.
On-site Concierge Bookings
Our adventure gurus from our Bookings concierge team are dedicated to providing you with the best excursions Belize has to offer. From half-day trips to Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley to Caye Caulker catamaran snorkeling sails, we’ve got it all! Whether you’re looking to catch a thrill or just chill, you can plan your perfect day with us at Bookings.
Book Your Adventurous Getaway With Us
It’s time to book your stay at Mahogany Bay Resort & Beach Club, Curio Collection by Hilton™, located on the stunning island paradise of Ambergris Caye, Belize, near the town of San Pedro. Our luxurious resort offers an extensive collection of private cottages and villas, offering hand-crafted architecture and authentic Belizean interior styling. When you stay with us, you’ll discover what sets our resort apart from other San Pedro hotels. From outdoor-style showers to screened-in porches to stunning kitchens, our accommodations have everything you need to feel like you’re staying in your own slice of paradise. No matter which accommodation you choose to stay in, you’ll have access to our pristine swimming pool, private beach club, mouthwatering dining found throughout our village, and more!
Check our availability and book your stay today. We can’t wait to have you!