S C U B A   C o r a l  R e e f s

Placencia,  Belize

Explore an underwater paradise of rays, lobsters, conch, turtles, parrot fish, blue tangs, grunts, sergeant majors, needle fish, trumpet fish and butterfly fish and the coral reefs they call home!

Placencia is the springboard to some of the best diving in Belize, if not the world!

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The Belize Barrier Reef, part of the Mesoamerican Reef (MAR) system, varies from 50' to 25 miles distance from the mainland - resulting in ranges of coral mountains and 90 - 110 foot channels. The edge of the reef provides a barrier to contain gentle waves, a slow southerly current moving at ½ knot, offering safe conditions for responsible divers.

Vibrant and spectacular coral reefs, teeming with colorful fish, coral, lobsters, conch, turtles and other marine life are considered, along with rainforests, the most biologically diverse habitats on earth. The MAR system stretches over 625 miles of coastline spanning eastern coasts of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras.

Placencia is proud to be one of three pilot sites chosen in the MAR area, working with the International Coral Reef Action Network (ICRAN), supported by funding from the United Nations Foundation (UNF) and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), in a collaborative effort known as ICRAN/MAR, working to halt and reverse the decline in health of the world's coral reefs, specifically the Mesoamerican Reef.

Explore an underwater paradise of parrot fish, blue tangs, grunts, sergeant majors, needle fish, trumpet fish and butterfly fish.  Abrupt drops reveal sleek tarpon, a graceful ray or a mouthful of barracuda.

The magnificent Whale Sharks (Rhincodon typus) make an appearance during May and June each year in the Placencia area during the annual snapper spawning season. These incredible black and white whale sharks, the largest shark AND the largest known fish in the world, grow up to 50 feet long and up to 15 tons in weight. They feed mostly on plankton, pelagic crustaceans, squid and tiny baitfish, as well as sardines and anchovies, just by moving through the water with mouths open wide.

Whale Shark encounters are extremely uncommon EXCEPT in Belize! Our whale sharks are highly protected by Friends of Nature, but visits from tourists are encouraged during the season. Ask our local dive shops or your resort for more information.