Due to the protected status of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, the fish populations have exploded. Divers can swim from one side of the cut to the other, experiencing shallow reef, drop offs over the steep sides of the “cut”, and seagrass and sand beds in the middle of the channel.

Outside the barrier reef, the ocean bottom gently slopes off into the Caribbean. All levels of diving can be accommodated here due to the variations in depth, from 30 to over 100 foot dives can be planned and executed. Spur and groove formations (hills of coral running parallel to valleys of sand) provide rich habitat for marine life. Spotted eagle rays and other pelagic creatures swim above the reef while the more cryptic life like lobsters and eels fill the holes and tunnels through the coral spurs.

Shark Ray Alley – This recently discovered dive site has been selected as one of the seven best “animal dives” in the Caribbean by SKIN DIVER MAGAZINE. For years, local fishermen cleaned their catch just inside the reef, to the south of Hol Chan Cut and Ambergris Caye. The fishermen soon noticed that the offal from cleaning fish was attracting Nurse Sharks and several Southern Sting Rays. The sharks and rays hear the dive boats approaching and begin to school in anticipation of bait being thrown into the water. When you arrive, you will see the surface often boiling with rolling sharks and sting ray wings as they vie for the scraps. These creatures have a great tolerance for divers and snorkelers. The rays, which have a ‘wing-span’ of two to four feet, swim directly towards the divers, mouths often turned up hoping for a hand held tid bit to be placed near their mouths. Other have learned to swim in circles around the divers, as if performing for food. The docile Nurse Sharks average four to six feet in length and can be a bit more agressive than the sting rays.

The reef crest is well defined by a conspicuous line of breaking water that is clearly visible from the shore and at low tide, Staghorn and Elkhorn coral can even be seen protruding above the surface. Over 35 of Belize’s most spectacular dive sites are within close proximity and are accessible by boat via a series of natural channels that traverse the reef crest to the open water beyond.

Upon exiting the dive vessel, divers are engulfed in 40 feet of water that is inhabited by wavering sea fans and sea rods as well as pillar, boulder, and fleshy corals that dominate the underwater landscape and uniquely characterize Belize’s flourishing reef eco-system. The brink of the deep reef that starts at 60 feet and extends to a depth of well over 100 feet is within close swimming distance due east. Dives extend to depths of between 60 and 80 feet where mazes of lobster and Black drum inhabited spur and groove canyons can be intricately explored. Large groupers evasively linger around go-by cleaning stations while turtles and spotted eagle rays make sudden appearances by scurrying over the edges of oncoming canyons. The vibrant waters are also home to a multitude of shark and dolphin species. Swim-through caverns and tunnels provide more adventurous diving venues where divers may exit through sporadic chimneys to discover that they are in a totally different location from where they primarily entered.

The abundance of marine life along the barrier reef is remarkable. It is not usual to see a school of porpoises or turtles. Spotted eagle-rays ray often seen in groups of three or four while the rare manta rays usually travel alone. Schools of amber jacks a lone barracudas commonly swim in the open waters away from the corals. Come experience the underwater wonders of Belize. The largest living barrier reef in the world is host to a variety of species including sharks, rays, eels, groupers, parrot fish, trigger fish, sea horses, turtles, shrimp, sea fans, coral and many other wonderous aquatic life.