There aren’t many places in the world where you can jump off a boat 30 minutes from shore and swim with stingrays, turtles, nurse sharks, and dozens of schools of colorful fish. The Belize Barrier Reef is one of the best places to snorkel in the world because of the crystal-clear water and thriving coral.
My name is Aimee and I’m a
YouTuber and blogger from
One Chance Travel. I visited Belize in 2019 and absolutely fell in love with the tiny island of Caye Caulker. This little slice of paradise serves up Caribbean island vibes year-long! I want to share my snorkeling experience with you and give you the right information on how you can swim with wild turtles and fish during your trip to Belize. Read on for more info on snorkeling the Belize Barrier Reef!
What’s the Belize Barrier Reef?
The Belize Barrier Reef is a series of 7 coral reefs straddling the coast of Belize and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is the second biggest reef in the world after Australia, and much of it is still alive and thriving thanks to the area being protected.
The Reef goes all the way from Mexico at the north end to Guatemala at the south end. It spans 185 miles of Belize coastline over 7 key marine reserve zones and over 400 marine cayes.
What kind of animals will I see at the Belize Barrier Reef?
When you snorkel the Belize Barrie Reef, you can expect to see any of the following species:
- West Indian manatee
- Green, Hawksbill, and Loggerhead turtles
- 500 species of fish such as tarpons
- Stingrays
- 65+ kinds of coral
- Crustaceans, marine worms, and sponges
- 247 types of marine flora
The best snorkeling sites in Belize
Most tour companies have already figured out the best snorkeling spots to go, but if you want to make sure you hit a certain location check out the popular choices below.
In this episode we discuss the Belize Gold Standards for Health and Safety which will be implemented at all hotels in Belize. [sponsored by Sirenian Bay Resort & Villas]
with Video
The Great Blue Hole is one of the most iconic natural monuments in Belize. It is a part of the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve system, a UNESCO world heritage site. Over the past few decades, ... morethe Blue Hole has become known for being one of the best diving spots in the world. It is also one of the best places to snorkel in Belize.
Belize snorkeling tours available
There are a variety of different tours available and most are open to anyone who can swim! You can choose from half-day (5 hours) and full-day tours (8 hours).
Book your tour online before you go to save time, hassle, and money. Tours leave from Caye Caulker, Belize City, Hopkins, San Pedro (Ambergris Caye), and Placencia.
Most tours include either lunch or a snack depending on their length. Snorkels and fins will be provided by your tour company. Prescription snorkels are also available.
Which tour is right for me?
When you are deciding on where to snorkel, there are a few things to consider. First, decide which area you will be staying in such as
Belize City of Caye Caulker. Decide whether you want to take a full or half-day tour. Then find a tour
group that’s heading to your chosen snorkel stops, and book online!
What to bring on the snorkeling tour
You’ve got your bathing suit, so what else do you need to go snorkeling? Here are a couple of other items you may want to bring:
- A dry bag - this will keep your phone, towel
- 2 quick-dry towels per person - one to cover you while riding in the boat, one to dry you off after being in the water
- A change of clothes for after the tour
- Sunscreen, at least SPF 50 (the sun is strong in Belize!)
- An insulated water bottle you can refill on the boat
- A waterproof camera like a GoPro & batteries
- A hat that won’t blow away easily and sunglasses
What to expect on the tour
There is truly nothing like swimming through the crystal clear ocean water surrounded by marine life! It’s like something you would see on TV but there really are sea turtles swimming next to you to grab a breath of air, nurse sharks skimming by, and rays silently sliding across the ocean floor.
For me, swimming with turtles was an item on my bucket list that I got to cross off in one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. I highly recommend snorkeling in Belize as there’s no place like it in the world with such alive coral, colorful fish, and elegant sea creatures!