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A peaceful, English speaking
democratic country only two hours from the gateway cities of USA.
Nearly one-third of Belize has been set aside as some form of
protected area; as a result, tourism flourishes in this unique
country. Tucked
beneath the upward curve of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, tiny
Belize has a wealth of natural resources-rare Caribbean atolls, a
barrier reef, faro reefs, rain forests, exotic wildlife like jaguars
and tapirs. The Central American nation delivers spectacular diving
all along its 180-mile-long coastline. Belize has the longest
barrier reef in both the northern and western hemispheres,
stretching from Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula to the Bay of Honduras.
The country offers three of only four atolls in the Caribbean, and
more than 200 cayes offshore, many of them secluded paradises.
Ambergris Caye, off the mainland's northeastern shore, is to Belize
what Cozumel is to Mexico-the focal point for the country's dive
activity. The barrier reef is closer to Ambergris than any point on
the coast, and because of this, there are more dive operators in San
Pedro than anywhere else in the country. In addition to diving the
sites along Ambergris's section of the barrier reef, operators in
San Pedro run day trips and overnight trips to Turneffe Islands
Atoll and Lighthouse Reef Atoll, including the Blue Hole.
Beyond the barrier reef, 30 to 60 miles off the mainland, lie the
country's three atolls, Turneffe Islands, Lighthouse Reef and
Glover's Reef. These oblong coral rings each surround a central
lagoon. The result is three dramatic reef systems. The outer edges
of the atolls are lined by coral walls that in places plunge 10,000
feet. The walls are marked by overhangs, crevices, tunnels and
pinnacles. In the shelter of the atolls' lagoons are shallow patch
reefs, mangrove swamps and beds of turtle grass.
About 100 miles south of Belize City is Placencia Peninsula, which
hangs like a loose thread from the mainland. Between the peninsula
and the southern reaches of the barrier reef is a vast inner lagoon,
which supports one of only three faro reef systems in the world.
These steep-sided shelf atolls rise from the continental shelf and
enclose a central lagoon. Twenty-nine miles off Placencia is Gladden
Spit, a hot spot for whale shark encounters.
Dive In
Weather: Belize's climate is tropical,
but a Caribbean breeze moderates hot summer temps. Summer highs are
in the mid-80s with lows in the mid-70s. Winter is a bit cooler,
with highs in the low 80s and lows in the high 60s.
Average Water Temp: Mid-70s in winter
and low to mid-80s in summer.
Average Visibility: Off Ambergris Caye,
water clarity is variable, though generally decent. The visibility
off the atolls is rarely bad, but it's best from April to June. Vis
off southern Belize peaks in spring, but northerly winds can lower
vis and bring rougher seas November through January. The water is
always clearest outside the barrier reef.
Travel Savvy: A valid passport and
round-trip or onward airline ticket are required. There is a $35
departure tax. |
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