Australia’s Great Barrier Reef has long been a bucket list experience for avid divers and ocean lovers. On the other side of the world, however, there sits a natural wonder that rivals the Great Barrier Reef as the top destination for underwater adventure. The Mesoamerican Reef is the second-longest barrier reef in the world, stretching past Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras. If you’ve been thinking about booking that next big dive (or snorkel) trip, here’s why the MAR is the place to be.
Three Reasons You Should Experience The Mesoamerican Reef
If the Mesoamerican Reef has any advantage over its massive Australian counterpart in the Pacific, it is in this proximity to land and the intimacy of its connection with inshore habitats.
1. It’s the Second Longest Barrier Reef in the World
With a length of approximately 625 miles, the Mesoamerican Reef is a natural wonder, and one of the largest structures ever created by living things (in this case, coral). Along its length lay hundreds of cayes as well as atolls, marine sinkholes, and spectacular underwater formations. Meanwhile, the coastlines that flank it boast spectacular beaches that each year draw millions of travelers from across the globe.
2. It’s Full of Thriving Wildlife
Reef diving in Belize. Image via PADI
While the sheer length of the Great Barrier Reef is impressive (1,429 miles), the Mesoamerican Reef (MAR) stands out for a different reason. Home to hundreds of species of fish as well as corals, mollusks and other marine animals, the reef is teeming with wildlife. According to The Nature Conservancy, the system houses the largest population of manatees in the western Caribbean as well as the largest aggregation of whale sharks in the world.
Similar: Have You Seen The Documentary That Introduced Belize’s Great Blue Hole to Millions?
Though beautiful, however, it is worth noting that the MAR, like the Great Barrier Reef, faces growing threats like overfishing, pollution, coastal development, and, most importantly climate change.
3. It’s Home to the Great Blue Hole
Among the many awe-inspiring formations that can be found within the Mesoamerican Reef System is the Great Blue Hole in Belize. Found inside the Lighthouse Reef Atoll (one of four atolls in the Western Hemisphere), the Blue Hole has been captivating travelers ever since Jacques Cousteau dubbed it one of the world’s greatest dive sites (and likely even long before). Explore it from below with dive mask and tank, or witness it from above on a flyover tour. Regardless, this giant marine sinkhole is sure to impress.
Where to Go for Diving and Snorkeling the Mesoamerican Reef
Dive the Belize Barrier Reef for memorable adventures. Photo by the Belize Tourism Board
The Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, a part of the Mesoamerican Reef, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Making up 190 miles of the MAR’s more than 600 miles, it is a favorite of thalassophiles for its rich biodiversity and unique underwater experiences. In fact, of the hundreds of thousands of travelers that visit Belize yearly, more than half of them do so with experiencing the Belize Barrier Reef in mind.
Visit one of the country’s three coral atolls for scuba diving like never before. Go all out and explore the Great Barrier Reef like Cousteau once did. Or, don your fins and snorkel mask and witness the beauty of Belize’s blue world through one of its many marine reserves.
Featured Photo by PADI
