It’s no surprise that the Caribbean is a serious hotspot among divers. However, between Mexico and Guatemala lies a lesser-known corner of the Western Caribbean: Belize. Bragging the UNESCO-attested World Heritage Site title as the second-largest reef system in the world, the Caribbean by nature-and-Central American by geography nation holds far more in diving accolades. In fact, Belize was named the Leading Dive Destination for 2022 for Mexico & Central America by the World Travel Awards. Above all, Belize boasts shore diving, perfectly mild conditions for beginners, and likely whale shark encounters between April and June in the South.
A Slew of Dive Sites To Choose From
Diving Belize. Image via PADI.
Thanks to the longest unbroken barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere, Belize is a bucket-list destination for divers—aside from the world-famous Great Blue Hole. One of the globe’s greatest marine sinkholes and diving wonders, the site sits just 43 miles off the mainland but is a full 406 feet deep, with stalactites that remind you of the geological phenomenon you’re exploring underwater. Although it’s not as versed for beginners, it’s still a great site to visit while diving in Belize—even if just for a snorkel.
Colorful coral gardens of Southern Belize’s barrier reef. Image by Bill Carmella while diving with Splash Dive Center.
However, its sister site, the Half Moon Caye Natural Monument, boasts an aquarium-like dive wall. Within, a minimum 20-meter (65-foot) visibility and exceptional marine flora bursts with colors alive at Open Water-level depths. Before crossing into the Lighthouse Reef Atoll for dive sites like Half Moon Caye and the Blue Hole, Turneffe Atoll (a circular reef system) is another great bucket-list destination for more significant marine life lovers, with common reef sharks and sea turtle sightings.
Plus, A Wealth of Knowledge Behind Every Beginner
Tour with a Gold Standard Operator. Photo courtesy Splash Dive Center
The Open Water Dive Certification is the first PADI entry-level certification and it’ll only take 3 days out of your Belize vacation! First things first, choose your dive operator and PADI resort to get certified with. In the south? As the largest dive center in Southern Belize, Splash Dive Center is a PADI 5-Star Resort that boasts 5 boats and schedules multiple daily destinations from its base in Placencia Village.
Into the blue with Splash Dive Center. Image courtesy Carolee Chanona
Here, they’ll whisk you away just offshore to a crowd favorite like the Silk Cayes or Pompion Caye for your first confined dive; no pool necessary when you can develop basic scuba skills right off the shores of a calm, white-sand beach. Besides getting familiar with your gear, you’ll learn how to:
Face masks are required on the boat with Splash Dive Center.
Setting up your scuba gear.
- How to get water out of your mask.
- Entering and exiting the water.
- Buoyancy control.
- Basic underwater navigation.
- Safety procedures.
Snorkeling Middle Silk Caye with Splash IDC Center. Image courtesy Carolee Chanona
You can even get a head start ahead of your Belize trip with PADI eLearning, or other home study options offered by your local dive shop or resort. Then, it’s time for your open-water dive to a comfortable recreational limit of 60 feet down! The water is not only warmer, but the colors of the coral and marina fauna are also brighter—exactly what beginners can expect when diving in Belize. Ready to discover what lies beneath the Caribbean Sea offshore Belize? Get started with Splash Dive Center!
Header image via PADI.
