Positioned amid the largest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere and the Mesoamerican forest hotspot, the tiny Caribbean nation of Belize boasts outsized natural riches. Add in some of the best-preserved Mayan ruins, and a stable, peaceful democracy where English is the primary language and the U.S. dollar is widely accepted, and you will understand why we like to say that Belize has it all.
For more than 30 years, we’ve been exploring the mangrove forests, seagrass beds, rainforests, and coral reefs of Belize, and yet there is still much to discover. Nature travelers to Belize enjoy an impressive variety of experiences and a sense of adventure without foregoing any “creature comforts.” While there are innumerable reasons why nature lovers should consider a visit to Belize, we’ve put together the following list of highlights to help get you ready to plan your next adventure.
7 Reasons to Make Belize Your Next Adventure in Nature
1. The Great Blue Hole
This giant submarine sinkhole off of Belize’s coast was first brought to worldwide attention by Jacques Cousteau, who traveled there aboard the Calypso in 1971 and later declared it one of the world’s top ten dive sites. A near perfect circle, the Great Blue Hole is over 300 meters (984 ft) across and 125 meters (410 ft) deep. The hole’s notoriety comes mainly from its striking deep blue center that contrasts sharply with the surrounding shallow, pale turquoise waters of Lighthouse Reef, a 22-mile-long coral atoll that is one of the best and healthiest in the Caribbean. Visiting the Great Blue Hole and Lighthouse Reef is considered a must for any nature lover on a trip to Belize!
2. Half Moon Caye Natural Monument
Located near Lighthouse Reef and the Great Blue Hole, the lesser known Half Moon Caye Natural Monument is a national park and protected area that supports the only viable Red-footed Booby colony in the western Caribbean. The seabird breeding site was initially protected in 1928, making it Belize’s oldest site for wildlife protection, and it is also part of the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System World Heritage Site. The southeastern part of the island is also an important sea turtle nesting ground, with beaches where loggerhead, hawksbill, and green turtles lay their eggs. In addition, the waters around Half Moon Caye are spectacularly clear with abundant topical reef fish, nurse sharks, and queen conch, making this one of the best snorkeling spots in Belize.
3. Mesoamerican Reef Ecosystem
The Mesoamerican Reef Ecosystem is recognized as one of Sylvia Earle’s Mission Blue Hope Spots, special places that are critical to the health of the ocean. The Mesoamerican Reef is also the largest barrier reef ecosystem in the northern hemisphere and is home to more than 500 species of fish and 65+ species of hard corals. Belize itself is home to almost 80% of the Mesoamerican Reef, and every visit you make to the reef is a large vote of support for Belize’s efforts to protect it. The Mesoamerican Reef is home to many large stands of elkhorn (Acropora palmata) and staghorn (Acropora cervicornis) corals, two species that are considered Critically Endangered by the IUCN, and are disappearing throughout much of the rest of the Caribbean.
4. Turneffe Atoll
Turneffe Atoll is the largest of three offshore atolls lying to the east of mainland Belize, and is one of the best-developed atolls of the Mesoamerican reef region, as well as a global hotspot for marine biodiversity. In 2012, Turneffe Atoll and the adjacent deep waters were designated as a marine reserve. Now the 150 mangrove islands, adjacent seagrass beds, grouper spawning aggregation sites, some of the world’s highest quality American crocodile nesting habitat, and resident populations of dolphins, manatees, and endangered sea turtles all fall under the reserve protections. Oceanic Society owned and managed a field research station in Turneffe Atoll from 1996 until 2020, when our land was put under permanent protection.
5. The Chance to Get Your Hands Wet
A visit to Belize offers the unique opportunity to participate in hands-on ocean conservation. Since the early 1990s, Oceanic Society has been offering volunteer vacations to Belize that offer travelers the chance to snorkel along vibrant coral reefs and seagrass beds while learning from researchers about techniques to measure fish abundance, queen conch populations, and coral reef health. Operating currently out of St. George’s Caye, participants also have the chance to participate in boat surveys to study dolphins, endangered Antillean manatees, and sea turtles in the channels of the Drowned Cayes.
6. Sea Turtles, Manatees, Nurse Sharks, and Dolphins
Belize’s impressive variety of marine habitats harbor many charismatic and threatened marine species that can be hard to see elsewhere. Both our Belize snorkeling trips and Belize marine conservation volunteer programs give participants plenty of opportunities to see sea turtles, nurse sharks, dolphins, and occasionally manatees. Those traveling to Turneffe Atoll are more likely to see sea turtles, nurse sharks, and dolphins, while those participating in our volunteer programs at St. George’s Caye almost always encounter all four species, including lots of manatee sightings because you are closer to the larger coastal manatee populations. On all of our Belize expeditions, you not only benefit from the leadership of our Oceanic Society guides, but also our long our history of in-country marine research projects.
7. Maya Ruins & Verdant Rainforest
Mainland Belize is located within the Mesoamerican forest hotspot, the third largest of the world’s biodiversity hotspots and home to impressive species diversity and endemism. Visitors can expect to see a wide variety of wildlife including several monkey species, colorful birds like toucans and macaws, and much more. These forests are also home to globally important Maya ruins that date back thousands of years, both in Belize (e.g. Caracol) and just across the border in Guatemala (Tikal). Travelers can also enjoy tubing or canoeing on jungle rivers and exploring cave systems that were used by the Maya and still hold archaeological treasures. Whether you are seeking orchids or jaguars, the interior of Belize is well worth a visit!
Nature Expeditions to Belize
Ready to plan your Belize vacation? Our expeditions to Belize offer a range of nature-based experiences to suit every interest:
- Belize: Snorkeling and Coral Reef Ecology — Week-long snorkeling trips based in beautiful Turneffe Atoll, home to some of the best snorkeling in the Caribbean. The trip includes a visit to the Great Blue Hole, Lighthouse Reef, and Half Moon Caye. You can even extend your trip to visit the Belizean jungle and Maya ruins for a complete Belize experience.
- Belize Ocean Wildlife Volunteer Program — This hands-on volunteer program will have you working side by side with researchers from local nonprofit ECOMAR to help study sea turtles, coral reefs, conch populations, manatees, and more. Participants stay at a field station on St. George’s Caye for an immersive experience. Families welcome!
