The Caribbean is famous for scuba diving, and Belize's Ambergris Caye possesses diving options in droves. Scuba is one of the most popular things to do in Ambergris Caye for a reason: no matter your experience level, there are all kinds of dives. You'll find shipwrecks, canyons, caverns, walls... and not to mention the second-largest barrier reef in the world, located a half-mile offshore. Here are some of the stand-out dives of Ambergris Caye.
Cypress Gardens
A novice-friendly dive site, Cypress Gardens is well-known for its variety of coral formations and fish.
The Love Tunnels
The Love Tunnels are such an exceptionally beautiful spot that some scuba enthusiasts have gotten married in them! The Love Tunnels are essentially a canyon that leads into a well-lit cavern, and are a popular spot for all kinds of divers.
Hol Chan Marine Reserve
This reserve presents a variety of options. “The Cut,” a passage between Belize's barrier reef and the ocean, features an explosion of fish, moray eels, and other animal life. The Eagle Ray Canyons feature frequent sightings of their magnificent namesake, while huge coral formations can be found at Pillar Coral. To learn more about Hol Chan Marine Reserve, visit http://www.belizeisfun.com/blog/2012/08/30/consider-diving-on-ambergris-caye-and-hol-chan-marine/
Shark Ray Alley
True to the sketchy-sounding name, this is an excellent place for viewing sharks and manta rays. The animals aren't shy around people due to the proximity of fishing vessels and the frequency of visitors. Diving isn't actually allowed here anymore, but snorkeling is, and if you're into animal encounters, this isn't to be missed.
The Amigo's Barge
Home to a shipwreck, this dive is a great photo opportunity. It's close to Shark Ray Alley and there's abundant life here in the form of nurse sharks and coral formations.
M&M Caverns
This cavern dive is likely best-suited to more advanced divers. For those with the skills to do it, the experience of going through one cavern to another is striking.
Puenta Arena Canyons
The “Small Cut” is another advanced dive: it's a steep drop into a cavern, sometimes so narrow that it requires single-file diving, and sometimes deep enough that the water becomes covered in darkness.
There are many things to do on Ambergris Caye such as the activities found here http://www.belizeisfun.com/things-do.htm, but if you're at all into scuba, the many dives available are worth a look. Since diving is one of the island's most popular activities, there are dive operators galore, many of them affiliated with specific hotels.
