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Most famous for its extensive Barrier Reef ecosystem and pristine coral reefs, Belize is the perfect place for a tropical snorkeling trip. Scuba diving has long received more attention in Belize since it is such a widely known sport, but few people understand that the snorkeling opportunities are also exceptional. The clear warm waters of the Caribbean are more salty than in temperate regions, and creates extra buoyancy for swimmers which allows anyone to feel comfortable while exploring the reefs with a mask and snorkel. Scuba diving is usually available wherever snorkeling is.

The many shallow reefs of Belize allow snorkelers to see nearly everything that scuba divers access, along with the advantage of not having to worry about underwater safety, rigid time constraints, bulky equipment, and expense. The freedom of snorkeling, and with the security of always being on the surface, appeals to a wide range of people and is Belize’s most popular activity.

For more images of what you can see while snorkeling near our island, visit our Belize water sports page.

Free-diving 30 feet down...watching a baby nurse shark swim by

When choosing Belize snorkel tours, remember that not all lodges are located on the coral reef. If you want to avoid a long and expensive boat ride to access snorkeling spots, make sure you know that you can snorkel right off shore. Visitors to the mainland should be aware that the Belize Barrier Reef and associated coral is a minimum of 10 miles away, and visitors to popular Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye are often surprised to find out that the reef is still a half-mile away, too far for most people to swim, and the waters are full of dangerous boats used for scuba. Snorkeling tours use boats in these areas.

Free diving is also popular. There are many places where one can free dive (without supplementary air) to depths of 40 feet or more. The water is clear and warm, and those with a small weight belt can stay down for several minutes safely.

The best locations for snorkeling right off shore are the three atolls of Belize: Glover's Reef, Lighthouse Reef and Turneffe Islands, and the southern cayes of the Barrier Reef. In these spots the islands sit right on the reef and you can jump in and snorkel immediately.

Serious snorkelers should not pass up a trip to visit Belize. Snorkel areas are so lush there that in one session a knowledgeable person can identify thirty fish, fifteen other creatures and many species of coral and sponges. Below is a short list of commonly seen underwater species.

To find out more about Belize snorkel tours on our private island, call (800) 390-5715
or send us an email: slickrock@slickrock.com.
You can also read about our full-week Belize kayaking & snorkeling trips on our private island.

We do not provide one-day snorkel tours as our island is 70 miles from Belize City
and 35 miles from Dangriga.

What you can expect to see snorkeling and diving in Belize:

   
  From top left, clockwise: School of Blue Tang, Queen Parrotfish, Peacock Flounder, Elkhorn Coral

Windsurfing | Belize Scuba Diving Vacations, Deep Sea Diving on Long Caye | Surfing Belize, Surfing Vacation in Central America
Belize Whitewater Kayaking, Jungle River Belize | Caves Branch Underwater Cave, Cave Rafting a Belize River Cave | Belize Kayak Tour Vacation, Sea Kayak Belize | Belize Snorkel, Caribbean Snorkeling Trip, Belize Snorkeling Vacations | Belize Caves, Adventure Caving Trip
 

PHOTO CREDITS

TOP IMAGE: KEITH FIALCOWITZ

OTHER PHOTOS TOP TO BOTTOM: TOM HOLUB, ALL OTHER PHOTOS BY TOBY CHUNG.

Copyright © Lucy Wallingford and Slickrock Adventures, Inc.
All rights reserved.