Although many of its visitors come just to relax and soak up the sun, Ambergris Caye is not the kind of place where you can ever feel bored or restless. The sheer number of activities available is staggering, and there are recreation opportunities perfect for just about everyone. If it is scuba diving that you are most interested in, then Ambergris Caye is the ideal vacation destination spot. Perfect for beginners and challenging enough for experienced divers, Ambergris Caye has it all.
Explore the Hol Chan Marine Reserve
There is certainly no shortage of diving sites in Ambergris Caye, but the most popular is the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. Since the area is protected, divers have to take special care not to touch anything, and those wearing fins have to avoid disturbing the coral reef with them in any way. Hol Chan offers several cuts, or walled channels, through which divers can swim. This is an incredible experience, and it makes the short journey out to the reserve more than worth it. Hol Chan is also home to surprisingly friendly fish, moray eels and even a shipwreck.
Get a Thrill in Shark-Ray Alley
When most people think of swimming with sharks, they picture a steel cage where the diver is completely safe. In Ambergris Caye, the truly adventurous can try something even more thrilling. Boats bring divers to Shark-Ray Alley, which is located just south of Hol Chan, and then they throw chum in the water to attract the local sharks. The sharks are so tame that they will come to the area to feed, but they don't bother the divers. You can safely swim, snorkel or dive here and have the experience of a lifetime.
Dive Tours and Lessons
As is common in many diving destinations, scuba divers will have the best chance of spotting the coral and the marine life if they are away from the coastline. Boat tours are typically the best way to do this, and most tours depart several times a day. Divers can choose to do a morning dive, an afternoon dive, a full-day dive or even a night dive. Even if you are a complete beginner, you can arrange lessons at places like the Exotic Caye Beach Resort.
Diving on Ambergris Caye is an incredible experience for anyone who loves the ocean and staying active. Check out more about diving on Ambergris Caye and the Hol Chan Marine Reserve.
