AGGRESSOR ADVENTURES: BELIZE Belize is located on the northeastern coast of Central America, bordering Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the west and south, and the Caribbean Sea to the east. Here we look at the top 5 dive sites in the country, and offer some useful hints and advice.

TOP DIVE SITES

Belize is located on the northeastern coast of Central America, bordering Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the west and south, and the Caribbean Sea to the east

1Aquarium Every location seems to have a dive site named ‘Aquarium, but this one certainly lives up to its name. A sheer drop-off begins around 30ft, with an abundance of fish life at the upper portion. About 40-60ft are large barrel sponges, sea fans and a rich collection of deep-water gorgonians.

Giant elephant ear sponges, vase sponges and tube sponges complete the colorful collection. The corner of this reef is a good spot to see reef sharks, grouper, turtles and shoals of horse-eye jacks.

2The Blue Hole The Blue Hole, a collapsed freshwater cave system approximately 1,000 feet across and over 400ft deep, was made famous by ocean pioneer Jacques-Yves Cousteau, who declared it one of the top ten dive sites in the world. In 1971, he brought his ship, the Calypso, to chart its depths. Once descended into the Blue Hole, guests will see beautiful vertical stalactite formations.

The first shelf of this collapsed underground cavern begins at 110ft. Here stalactites descend from the ceiling. A healthy reef exists around the edge of the hole itself and is home to an abundance of juvenile sea life, as well as schools of parrotfish, squid, flaming scallops and angelfish.

Belize Aggressor III

Length: 110 feet | Beam: 22 feet | Passengers: 18 | Staterooms: 9 The Belize Aggressor III is a spacious power yacht that was built for comfort, safety and stability. Diesel-powered, she can cruise at 10 knots and has 110-volt power onboard. Accommodations include one master stateroom, and eight deluxe staterooms (seven having a double and single berth, and one having two single bunk-style beds). All staterooms have climate controls, private bathrooms and showers. The Belize Aggressor III features a roomy, air-conditioned salon and dining area, sundeck complete with a hot tub, lounge and deck chairs, shaded cocktail deck, grill, and a computer for photo-editing for guests. www.aggressor.com

ABOVE

The Belize Aggressor III at anchor

RIGHT

Delicious Belizean food

FAR RIGHT

The liveaboards boast luxurious cabins

Most major airlines fly into Belize City - American, Continental, Delta, US Airways, United and Taca. There are many direct flights from the US, and several connecting flights for the UK and Canada.

The Belize Aggressor III and Belize Aggressor IV depart from the Radisson Ft George dock located in the heart of downtown Belize City, and seven-night charters run from Saturday to Saturday. You can clock up 27 dives on seven-night charters (including night dives), and all dives are conducted from the liveaboard. If you opt for a tennight charter, that dive tally can rise to 42 dives! The charter schedules take in some of the best dive sites at Lighthouse Reef and Half-Moon Caye, not to mention the iconic Blue Hole.

Weather permitting, the Belize Aggressors anchor just off HalfMoon Caye. Guests are shuttled to the island and enjoy a relaxing walk along the beach to the bird sanctuary. Here you can observe red-footed booby birds and frigate birds from the observation deck built into the tree-top canopy. Located on the east end of the island is an historic lighthouse built in 1848, which is the lighthouse for which the atoll is named.

While the diving may be the main draw for many, Belize also offers a whole host of tours and adventures to choose from when you are back on the mainland, including a trip to the Lamanai Mayan temples – thought to be the largest Mayan ceremonial site in the region – or, for the more daring, zip lining through the rainforest, and even tubing through cave systems! Length: 138 feet | Beam: 26 feet Passengers: 20 | Staterooms: 10 The Belize Aggressor IV is a luxurious power yacht that was built for comfort, safety and stability. Diesel-powered, she can cruise at 12 knots and has 110-volt power onboard. Accommodations include two master staterooms, and eight deluxe staterooms (with two twin beds or one king bed). All staterooms have climate controls, private bathrooms and showers. The Belize Aggressor IV features a large air-conditioned salon and dining area, sundeck with lounge and deck chairs, shaded cocktail deck, grill, and a computer for photo-editing for guests. www.aggressor.com

3Tarpon Caves A tall reef buttress rises straight up from the whitest powder sand to within 30-35ft of the surface and is honeycombed with caves and cuts. This vertical wall is covered with huge yellow tube sponges, black coral trees, and monster barrel sponges projecting from the many small ledges. The sand areas are rich in garden eels, midnight parrotfish, razorfish, and southern stingrays. Tarpon patrol the inside edge of the reef. This dive site features several tunnels and chimneys in which tarpon and grouper like to hide.

4West Point 1 and 2 The visibility at these sites is highly dependent on winds and tides, but the labyrinth of reef buttresses makes this site great even when visibility is diminished. The walls are vertical and start in only 20-25ft of water. Black coral and deep-water gorgonians abound, as do giant barrel sponges and red finger sponges. You are likely to see mangrove tunicates here. The shallow sandy area is alive with garden eels, peacock flounder and southern stingrays. In the sandy areas, bluethroated pike blennies can be found.

5Angelfish Wall Friendly gray angelfish give this site its name. The top of the wall teems with small fish. Eagle rays and an occasional shark also cruise the wall. n