Page 237 - Central America

Along the entire length of Ambergris Caye the reef is comprised of
spectacular three dimensional coral formations which include can-
yons, grottoes and tunnels. Curiously, the more common reef fishes
do not appear here in great numbers compared to elsewhere. How-
ever, there are a greater number of pelagic fish such as sharks and
rays. There are also a considerable number of porpoise and turtle to
be seen. Ambergris is the largest and most popular of the offshore
cayes, with 25 miles of Belize’s spectacular barrier reef sitting less
than a mile offshore. The calm waters are full of dense coral and lush
reef growth with visibility up to 150 ft. Dive operators making trips
to the barrier reef off Ambergris Caye select sites that combine good
diving with variety. Spur-and-groove reefs with deep canyons, swim-
throughs, and reef cuts are popular and teeming with abundant and
colorful life. Thanks to the installation of permanent mooring buoys
and natural resource management initiatives such as the Hol Chan
Marine Reserve, the reefs remain protected from anchor damage.
Reef Sharks and Nurse Sharks are occasional visitors as well as the
Whale Shark and the Loggerhead Turtle. Also Manta Rays and larger
species of sharks are known to visit these waters.
Just to the north of Reef Point are Conch Flats, large sandy areas in-
side the reef covered in sea grass-not ideal for diving as it soon be-
comes boring. Sea grass is, however the staple diet of both the conch
and the turtle, and is therefore an important part of the ecosystem.
For the game fisherman, this is a spot to catch wahoo, a large silver
fish which puts up a good fight. It is also a good fish for eating. These
fish are rarely seen by divers. On the seaward side of the reef, the
coral drops down to a ledge which, in places, can be up to half a
mile (.8 km) wide before it drops off into the deep blue waters of the
Caribbean.