Whether you have been snorkeling for years or it is your first time out, you probably want to see varieties of fish and tropical plants in a location that is easily accessible. If you try snorkeling on Ambergris Caye, you are in luck - an adventure awaits you just outside your door.
Wildlife in the Barrier Reef
The Barrier Reef that hugs the mainland of Belize for 185 miles is an underwater jungle of fish, plants, crustaceans, and all sorts of forms of wildlife. Coral reefs make natural habitats for hundreds of species, and the Barrier Reef abounds in life forms that will amaze you with their diversity and color. The coral itself is amazing with its variegated color and shape, and schools of fish such as grouper are commonly sighted. If you are lucky, you may even find that you get a glimpse of the whale shark, the largest of the species but harmless to man.
Known as “shark ray alley,” the portion of the Barrier Reef close to Ambergris Caye is a common site for spotting manta rays and spotted eagle rays as well as other forms of rays and skates. Rays are generally harmless to humans, and you may be able to swim with them in some areas. Rarer but not unheard of are sightings of hammerhead, Caribbean reef and oceanic white tip sharks. Be sure to discuss dive safety with your guide and to treat these larger fish with respect.
Accessibility of Ambergris Caye Area
Ambergris Caye boasts the closest shoreline to the Barrier Reef; less than a mile of ocean separates the shore from the reef at some parts of the island. For weak swimmers, this may be a challenge, but very good swimmers often swim all the way to the reef and back. You may opt to take a canoe or kayak or have a motor launch deliver you to the spot so that you can save your energy for snorkeling.
If you want a good look at underwater life, there are few better places to find it than at Ambergris Caye. Explore the Barrier Reef by snorkel or scuba as you enjoy the varieties of fish, animals and plants that make this spot a favorite of visitors from around the world.
