| Ambergris Caye located in Belize offers some | | | | shoals of fish, Nurse Sharks and the odd pelagic that |
| amazing diving and has more than 40 dive sites for | | | | swim by. This dive site was voted the 2nd best dive |
| you to dive when you visit Belize. | | | | on Ambergris Caye and can be combined with the #1 |
| I recently held a poll for divers to vote which of the | | | | top dive site on a day's diving since both are located |
| dive sites off Ambergris Caye were the most | | | | in the Marine Reserve. |
| enjoyable for the majority of divers and the following | | | | Experience required: novice |
| are the results of this poll. | | | | Depth: 40-70ft |
| Coming in at Number 5 is: | | | | Location: South Ambergris Caye |
| Pillar Corals Hol Chan Marine Reserve | | | | Type of Dive: Boat |
| Pillar Corals is located in the Hol Chan Marine Reserve | | | | And in at #1 Voted the Very Best Dive on Ambergris |
| which is a 7.5 square mile reserve located on the | | | | Caye Belize |
| southern tip of Ambergris Caye. Average depth of | | | | Eagle Ray Canyons VOTED the #1 Best Dive on |
| this dive is 50-75ft and you are going down to see | | | | Ambergris Caye |
| the cool Pillar Corals some standing 10ft tall. The site | | | | This site is known for regular sightings of spotted |
| has a healthy array of marine life and lots of healthy | | | | Eagle Rays. I dove this spot with some friends from |
| Coral and is suitable for all divers. | | | | Rodale's Magazine. Steve, one of the dive masters, |
| Experience required: novice | | | | was guiding the dive and during his briefing |
| Depth: 60-70ft | | | | guaranteed that we were going to see Eagle Rays, |
| Location: South Ambergris Caye | | | | and was quite adamant about it. I asked him if he |
| Type of Dive: Boat | | | | was sure because we now had some excited divers |
| In at number 4 is : | | | | aboard who were expecting to see Eagle Rays and |
| Esmeralda Canyons | | | | they would be disappointed if they didn't. Steve |
| Located just a few minutes from San Pedro | | | | assured me and down we went, sure enough after |
| Ambergris Caye, is Esmeralda Canyons. This dive site | | | | 15 minutes we saw our first 3 Eagle Rays, 5 minutes |
| offers a large abundance of fish life including a | | | | later we saw an additional 5 a lot closer this time. In |
| resident Moray and lots of tropical fish. The corals are | | | | addition to the Eagle Rays, lots of coral formations, |
| abundant and generally the visibility is very good. | | | | spur and groove formation and the usual |
| Average depth of this site is 50-75ft and suitable for | | | | congregation of juveniles. |
| all levels of diver. | | | | This is a Marine Reserve so nothing may be touched |
| Experience required: novice | | | | or taken, we ask that you are careful with your fins |
| Depth: 60-80ft | | | | and avoid accidentally touching the reef. |
| Location: South Ambergris Caye | | | | Experience required: Novice/Intermediate |
| Type of Dive: Boat | | | | Depth: 60-80ft |
| Number 3: | | | | Location: South Ambergris Caye |
| Tackle Box | | | | Type of Dive: Boat |
| Tackle Box is located just 5 minutes from shore and | | | | So there you have the Ambergris Caye's TOP 5 Dive |
| is located directly in front of the Tackle box bar. This | | | | sites and now you can request these dive sites when |
| site is an excellent marine life dive with lots of | | | | you visit the island. |
| Groupers, Nurse Sharks and lots of fish. Corals are | | | | There are so many other excellent sites in addition to |
| healthy and this site also offers nice canyons and | | | | these 5, and I was quite surprised that more |
| tunnels. Tackle Box is considered one of the best of | | | | northern sites were not picked such as M&M |
| Ambergris Caye. Average depth is 60-80ft. | | | | Caverns or Happy Hours Reef or Palmero canyons |
| Experience required: novice | | | | etc. I determined that the reason was that not as |
| Depth: 60-70ft | | | | many divers get the opportunity to dive North |
| Location: In front San Pedro Ambergris Caye | | | | Ambergris because it's further away from town and |
| Type of Dive: Boat | | | | they are suggested less because of the fuel cost to |
| Number 2: | | | | get there. Let's face it if I can keep you happy with |
| Cyprus Gardens | | | | the closest dive sites why suggest sites further |
| One of my favorite dives on the island, Cyprus | | | | afield. |
| Gardens is located in the Marine reserve and starts | | | | Be sure to add at least a day's diving north of town |
| off in just 40ft of water averaging out to 60ft more | | | | to get a complete feel of the diving off Ambergris |
| if you head into the canyons. | | | | Caye Belize. |
| The site is full of life such as big Groupers lots of | | | | |