Most famously known for the Great Blue Hole, Belize offers some of the best diving in the Caribbean with the Belize Barrier Reef in its backyard. But there’s more to scuba diving in Caye Caulker than just the Blue Hole; something I learned firsthand during my time on the island.
I traveled to Caye Caulker Island to meet up with my uncle while I was backpacking in Central America. Around the same time, I saw a video on Instagram about diving the Great Blue Hole, and as a diver, I knew I had to experience this bucket-list dive for myself.
After arriving, I spent some time shopping around for the right dive center. After visiting a few, I finally settled on Scuba Sensation and booked their Great Blue Hole tour for that weekend.
The Great Blue Hole Dive Experience Begins
The trip was a full-day adventure, starting with a 5 AM wake-up call and breakfast at the dive shop. Despite the early start, the day included three dives, one of them being the famous Blue Hole. The boat ride from Caye Caulker to the site was long, about 2–3 hours, but it included lunch and a surface interval walking around Half Moon Caye.
Since the Blue Hole was our deepest dive, it was also our first. Arriving at the site felt slightly underwhelming, as the most breathtaking view of the Blue Hole is from above, but that didn’t dampen the excitement. We geared up and backrolled into the deep, dark turquoise-blue water.
We descended slowly, moving diagonally down to our max depth of 136 feet (41 meters). At this level, visibility wasn’t great, not surprising for the Blue Hole, and we only had about six minutes to explore before reaching our no-decompression limit. We finally came to our main attraction: a small cave with stalactites. Each diver took turns swimming through the formations, a surreal sight at that depth.
Just as I exited the cave, passing my last stalactite, a small blacktip reef shark, about 5 feet (1.5 meters) long, emerged from the low visibility. A perfectly eerie surprise.
We ascended slowly, ending the dive after 30 minutes. My bucket list dive was checked. But to be honest, the dive didn’t live up to the hype. I wasn’t sure exactly what to expect, but for me, it was… kind of boring.
Scuba Diving in Caye Caulker Beyond the Great Blue Hole
Luckily, the next two dives saved the day. The reef sites were teeming with life. We spotted reef sharks, sea turtles, eagle rays, and vibrant fish weaving through coral walls. My first day of scuba diving in Caye Caulker ended on a high note.
I stayed in Caye Caulker for a full month, diving every weekend and exploring new sites. So, if you’re planning a trip to Caye Caulker and looking for the top spots for scuba diving, here are my three favorite dive sites (in no particular order) that you won’t want to miss.
1. Long Caye Aquarium
Located in the Lighthouse Reef Atoll, Long Caye Aquarium is a diver’s paradise where you feel like you are descending into an aquarium. This site is famous for its colorful coral formations, large schools of tropical fish, and frequent encounters with eagle rays, groupers, and nurse sharks. This was the last dive site we went to as part of diving the Great Blue Hole.
- What makes it special? The sheer variety of marine life makes every dive feel like swimming in a natural aquarium.
- Best for: Underwater photographers, marine life lovers, and those who enjoy calm, scenic dives.
2. Half Moon Wall
Half Moon Caye Wall is one of the most breathtaking wall dives in Belize. This steep drop-off is covered in vibrant sponges, swaying gorgonians, and intricate coral structures that attract a diverse range of marine species. Glide past towering coral formations as reef sharks patrol the deep blue, eagle rays soar overhead, and sea turtles drift effortlessly along the wall. The shallow sandy area near the end of the dive is home to garden eels and offers a peaceful spot to soak in the beauty of the reef.
- What makes it special? The stunning vertical wall and abundance of large marine life make this a must-dive site.
- Best for: Advanced divers who love deep dives and dramatic underwater landscapes.
3. Esmeralda Canyons
So. Many. Sharks. Situated near Ambergris Caye (Caye Caulker’s neighbor island), Esmeralda is a series of coral canyons teeming with marine life. The spur-and-groove formations create an exciting dive experience as you weave through the coral structures. Schools of snappers, groupers, and jacks are common, and lucky divers may even spot moray eels or nurse sharks resting in the crevices.
- What makes it special? The maze-like coral formations make for a thrilling and immersive dive.
- Best for: Divers who enjoy exploring unique underwater landscapes and swimming alongside large schools of fish.
Caye Caulker Dive Shops to Check Out
- Scuba Sensation – My go-to dive shop for multiple trips. Great equipment, fun and knowledgeable guides, lunch during surface intervals, and a larger boat, allowing access to further sites like the Belize Great Blue Hole. They also offer dive packages if you plan to dive several times.
- Sunrise Scuba – A newer dive shop off the main road with top-notch equipment and experienced guides. They focus on local dive sites around Caye Caulker. My favorite dive with them was to Spanish Bay, where the guides speared a few invasive lionfish, and we made fresh ceviche for lunch after the dives.
Coming Up for Air
Belize was a diver’s dream. I feel incredibly grateful for the chance to explore the Belize Barrier Reef, diving alongside sharks, sea turtles, and vibrant marine life. But like many reefs around the world, Belize is facing challenges: coral bleaching and an invasive lionfish population.
As divers, we can make a difference. Practice conservative diving, wear reef-safe sunscreen, and when visiting Caye Caulker, support local restaurants and shops that sell lionfish dishes and accessories. The more we create demand, the more lionfish will be removed from the reef, helping to restore balance (hopefully). And if you get the chance? Try the lionfish tacos, you won’t regret it!
Have you been diving in Belize? I’d love to hear about your experience! Drop a comment below and share your favorite dive sites.
Leave a Reply