Macro Diving in Belize

While Asia and the Coral Triangle often grab all the accolades when it comes to muck and macro diving, the cool critters on display in the Caribbean should not be ignored. Famed among divers for the Great Blue Hole, Belize sits on the western edge of the Caribbean Sea and is home to some of the best diving in the region. Combined with the Mayan ruins in the mountains, the jaguars in the jungles and a plethora of exotic birdlife, Belize is a truly diverse destination above and below the waves. There are plenty of pelagics cruising the deeper water, and with seahorses and the endemic white-lined toadfish residing in the shallows, the macro diving in Belize is some of the best in the Caribbean.

At the edge of the Maya Mountains, the palm-fringed beaches of Placencia offer the perfect gateway to explore the southern sites around Gladden Spit; Thatch Caye and Turneffe Atoll are the perfect bases to dive the Great Blue Hole and the Belize Barrier Reef; and the white-sand beaches of the northern Cayes sit on the edge of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve.

Our team has enjoyed exploring this Central American country and can put together the ideal itinerary for you to visit one or more of the diverse regions and discover the magic and macro diving of Belize for yourself.

The Cayes

Charles Darwin described the Belizean Barrier Reef as 'the most remarkable reef in the West Indies', and a stay on Ambergris Caye puts you in the perfect place to discover its underwater beauty. Hiding among the pristine coral of Hol Chan Marine Reserve, you will find tiny arrow crabs, moray eels and spiny lobsters, while you can switch to your wide-angle lenses for trips to Shark Ray Alley.

The Outer Atolls

Three of the four atolls in the western hemisphere can be found in Belizean waters, and you can choose to stay on one of them or on a nearby private island paradise. Lighthouse Reef, home of the Great Blue Hole and the macro delights at Half Moon Caye, will be on your doorstep. And the shallow lagoon at Glover's Reef, Belize's most southern atoll and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, will ensure you fall in love with the macro diving in Belize.

Southern Belize

Southern Belize is a naturalist's delight. Tropical birds, such as toucans and macaws, flit between branches in the jungle canopy as jaguars roam below. Enjoy the hospitality of boutique Belizean resorts, private islands or Francis Ford Coppola's Turtle Inn in the ideal location from which to explore the shallow macro sites in the National Park of Laughing Bird Caye. There's always the possibility of a passing whale shark, and nothing improves the chances more than affixing a macro lens to your camera setup.