Diving Belize
As fun as rum, hammocks, reggae and sailing were, we really came to Belize for the second biggest barrier reef in the world and its critters. After re-acquainting ourselves with the finer points of staying alive without atmosphere via YouTube, we got under the sea.
Visibility was eighty feet at least. You can swim at 60ft through protected coral canyons through most of the barrier reef, where large fish hang out. Curious three foot groupers come over and hover in front of you. Packs of six foot nurse sharks and four to five foot stingrays covered with remoras who have gotten entirely too used to being handled come over for belly rubs, cuddles and they’ll give you little rides. We also saw a
free swimming six or seven foot green moray eel.
There’s a break in the reef off Ambergris Caye that’s been designated the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. That was more like the bustling fish cities we saw in Thailand. Great schools of many types of fish mingling and checking things out, commuting to work and going about their business. Some in balls, some in traffic lanes, others with more individualized group behavior. Big silver scaly mackerel hovered like waiting buses as the others swirled around them. Huge french angelfish and rainbow parrot fish wandered about doe eyed and oblivious to their own beauty.
Foolishly, we didn’t equip our cameras for underwater photography. Don’t make that mistake.