Muck Diving in Belize

The Belizean coastline marks the western edge of the Caribbean Sea and is shadowed offshore by the world’s second-largest barrier reef system, the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef is comprised of a series of cayes (pronounced ‘keys’) that stretch from Ambergris Caye in the north down to Placencia in the south. Along the way, the reef passes by Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Silk Cayes Marine Reserve, which are home to some of the best muck diving in Belize. The marine reserves’ coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangroves will ensure you have a critter hunt to remember...

The northern point on Ambergris Caye marks the edge of the Belizean border with Mexico, and its southern tip is on the doorstep of Hol Chan Marine Reserve. The reserve is home to over 160 species of fish and 40 types of coral while dolphins, nurse sharks and the West Indian manatee also make regular appearances. The six-and-a-half-square-mile protected area's mangroves will be of particular interest to those looking to sample the muck diving in Belize. The mangrove forests act as nurseries for many fish species, including photogenic French angelfish, and the eagle-eyed may even spot seahorses clinging to the seagrass.

A trip to the southern waters, close to Placencia, will allow you to enjoy the idyllic cayes, ringed with white sand and covered with a liberal sprinkling of coconut palms. Silk Cayes Marine Reserve and Laughing Bird Caye National Park offer the best options in the region to enjoy the muck diving. Belize boasts a mix of all creatures great and small, and the southern reefs are no different. The shallow sandy sites offer the chance to scour the bottom for arrow crabs, cleaner shrimp and furry sea cucumbers with their attendant hitchhikers. A trip to the area to coincide with the snapper and grouper spawning aggregations between March and June also brings high chances of seeing whale sharks to complement the eagle rays and nurse sharks seen year-round.

Aside from the muck diving in Belize, our team of dive travel specialists are enthralled with the variety of diving on offer. Whale sharks, eagle rays and reef sharks are regularly spotted on the outer reefs, and the Great Blue Hole - Belize's most famous dive site - is as stunning as it is unique. Throw in luxurious hotels set against the dense jungle, and you have a truly memorable Caribbean muck diving holiday...