When people think of Belize, the Great Blue Hole — widely celebrated as one of the world's top ten dive sites — immediately comes to mind. But beyond the Great Blue Hole, Belize is actually home to a seemingly endless number of dive sites. Whether you want to shoot sweeping wide-angle shots across entire coral formations or go macro on the tiny critters living on the coral, diving in Belize will not disappoint. In Belize, you can even spear Lionfish, then cook and eat them — all in the name of restoring balance to the marine ecosystem! Join BlueTrend as we explore what other dive sites Belize has to offer, what megafauna you can encounter, and what the Lionfish spearing activity is all about! *Cover photo courtesy of Aggressor Fleet, used with permission.
Diving in Belize — Witness the World's Largest Underwater Cave: The Great Blue Hole
A full aerial panorama of the Great Blue Hole, captured from above. photo credit: Aggressor Fleet
Belize's most iconic attraction is without a doubt the Great Blue Hole — one of the world's top ten dive sites. The Great Blue Hole is the world's largest underwater limestone sinkhole, composed of porous limestone geology. It formed as an underground cave system during the Ice Age, and as sea levels rose, the cave ceiling collapsed and was submerged by the ocean, becoming the legendary landmark we know today.
Non-divers, don't worry — there's more than one way to experience the Great Blue Hole. Read on!
Option 1: Charter a Plane and Fly Over the Great Blue Hole
Belize has an abundance of small propeller aircraft that can take you soaring over the Great Blue Hole. It only takes two people to charter one of these little planes — as common as hailing a taxi in Taiwan. Gazing down at the majestic Great Blue Hole from the air gives you the most complete view of its full form: from the deepest, most intense blue at the center to the pale gradient of the surrounding atoll, it looks like the very eye of the ocean, and a profound sense of reverence washes over you. The pilot will circle above the Blue Hole for a while, giving passengers plenty of time to capture this precious moment.
Fewer than ten people fit in one small plane, including the pilot. photo credit: 海島瘋
An endless expanse of ocean stretches out below. photo credit: 海島瘋
Option 2: Dive Into the World's Largest Underwater Stalactite Cave
Reaching the Great Blue Hole requires a speedboat ride of roughly 2.5 hours. Boats depart daily from various resorts and islands, ferrying divers out to the site — the only thing that can stop them is a hurricane (an extremely rare occurrence).
The Great Blue Hole reaches depths of over 100 m, though recreational divers are typically taken to around 40 m. To dive the Blue Hole, an Advanced Open Water Diver (PADI cert) certification is required. Beneath the surface lies a truly unique underwater landscape — stalactite formations, stalagmites, and more — and once you descend, you'll find yourself completely captivated by these otherworldly structures. The crystal-clear, impossibly deep water framing the stalactite caves creates an atmosphere as if you've launched into outer space and are about to embark on an adventure. Due to the cave's geography, marine life inside the hole itself is relatively sparse; it's actually the surrounding atoll that offers the best chances of encountering sharks and other large animals.
Below lies a bottomless abyss. photo credit: Aggressor Fleet
The underwater stalactite formations are a world-class natural heritage. photo credit: Aggressor Fleet
Belize's Dive Sites and Unique Marine Life Revealed
Located in the Caribbean Sea, Belize offers an underwater ecosystem and diving experience that is worlds apart from Southeast Asia. Taiwan's reefs are dominated by vibrantly coloured soft coral, whereas Belize's coral landscape is characterized primarily by branching hard coral — like venturing through an underwater jungle, adding a layer of mystery to every dive. Belize enjoys a tropical climate year-round with only dry and wet seasons; apart from a higher likelihood of hurricanes in August and September, it's a fantastic destination for diving at any time of year. The water conditions are stable, visibility is excellent, and the biodiversity is rich — suitable for both beginners and experienced divers alike.
Coral formations larger than a person. photo credit: 海島瘋
Spearing Lionfish — and Attracting a Nurse Shark Escort
One of the most unique diving activities in Belize is Lionfish spearing. You might think it sounds cruel, but it's actually done to restore balance to the marine ecosystem and food chain. Let BlueTrend tell you the story behind it.
In the Americas, it is widely said that the flamboyant Lionfish is a species native to Asia, with no natural presence in American waters. At some point, people began keeping them in an aquarium in Miami for public display. Then, in 1992, Hurricane Andrew devastated the area with catastrophic damage — including to the aquarium — and the Lionfish escaped into the open ocean. Like aliens landing on Earth, no local creature had ever encountered them before, so these venomous, spine-covered fish suddenly found themselves without any natural predators. They multiplied rapidly, throwing coral reef ecosystems out of balance. To address the problem, humans began actively promoting the hunting of Lionfish and partnering with local restaurants to serve them as a culinary dish. The initiative has proven effective in curbing Lionfish populations and allowing the coral reefs to return to their former thriving state.
The dive guide carries a spear on every dive. photo credit: 海島瘋
A Nurse Shark shows up, eager to get a taste of the freshly speared Lionfish. photo credit: 海島瘋
Xiao Ying, from 海島瘋, also shared: "When the dive guide spears a Lionfish underwater, the scent of blood attracts adorable Nurse Sharks — sometimes three or four at a time — following us around like a personal escort squad." At the end of the dive, the guide hands the Lionfish over to the Nurse Sharks as their reward for accompanying the group!
The Mysterious Toadfish That Makes Sounds
You've seen toads on land — but have you ever come across a toadfish in the sea? Xiao Ying shared that in Belize there is an extraordinary creature unlike anything she had encountered before: it hides deep inside caves, has a flat body, and looks like a cross between a toad and a Whiskery Shark, with markings reminiscent of a Whale Shark. So how do you find it deep inside a cave? The dive guide explained: "We identify their location by listening for the sounds the toadfish makes, and sometimes we also lure them out of hiding using the scent of food."
From a distance, the markings really do resemble a Whale Shark's. photo credit: 海島瘋
The shy toadfish, tucked away inside its cave. photo credit: 海島瘋
Can You See Sharks While Snorkeling?
The most famous snorkeling spot is the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, located at the southern tip of Ambergris Caye — and one of its dive sites is called Shark Ray Alley. The site is less than 5 m deep, making it perfect for snorkeling. From the surface, you can already see countless sharks and Stingrays gathering below, waiting for the food in your hands. Some of the sharks are even larger than a 175 cm adult man — the sight is truly spectacular.
Snorkeling at Shark Ray Alley. photo credit: 海島瘋
Sharks and schools of fish everywhere you look. photo credit: 海島瘋
Wide-Angle and Macro — All in One
Belize is home to all kinds of different coral. photo credit: Aggressor Fleet
Belize's extraordinary biodiversity means that whether you're going wide-angle or macro, there are always more creatures to spot and more stunning photos to capture — particularly thanks to the unique topography and coral formations, which make for especially dramatic shots. They say: "Clear water means no fish; current means big animals." But in Belize, every dive comes with dense schools of fish as a given — "clear water and fish, no current and big animals" is Belize's true motto! Commonly encountered megafauna include Nurse Sharks (Ginglymostoma cirratum), Eagle Rays, Caribbean Reef Sharks (Carcharhinus perezi), and large Giant Trevally (Caranx ignobilis).
Belize's macro marine life is equally impressive. photo credit: 海島瘋
An adorable blenny poking its head out to say hello. photo credit: 海島瘋
The seafloor in Belize is also dotted with large barrel sponges, home to a variety of cleaner shrimp and Pederson's cleaner shrimp. The coral is crawling with spider crabs of all colours — their long, spindly legs are the giveaway — making it a great challenge to see who can spot the most critters. Don't forget to peek into caves and crevices, where you'll often find big lobsters lurking inside — enough to make your stomach rumble on the spot!
Tiny cleaner shrimp, hidden among the coral. photo credit: 海島瘋
Peek into a cave — and you'll find a lobster staring right back at you! photo credit: 海島瘋
Belize's Travel Highlights Revealed — From Rainforest Adventures to Underwater Stalactite Ruins, Let's Go!
Think Belize is all about diving? Think again — there are also rich cultural heritage sites, rainforest adventures, stalactite cave kayaking tours, and more waiting for you on land!
>>Full article: Belize's Travel Highlights Revealed — From Rainforest Adventures to Underwater Stalactite Ruins, Let's Go!
Editor: Jenny Tsai
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