Page 245 - Central America
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Caye Chapel Cut - is a navigable entrance pendicular to the reef line. Coral spurs crest formations and the superb Macro photo op-
through Chapel Reef, but it should only be at 50-70 feet whereas the sand-floored cuts portunities. This site focuses on smaller ma-
attempted by those familiar with its haz- fall off rapidly to depths of 100 fl. South of rine life associated with coral reef and is sure
ards. This area is not particularly popular the mooring pin, vertical spurs rise 14 feet to be a hit with visiting divers. The site is full
as the remainder of the reef is much more above the sand floor of the adjacent channel. of life such as big Groupers lots of shoals of
vibrant and colorful. Farther south along Elkhorn, staghorn, lettuce and boulder coral fish, Nurse Sharks and the odd pelagic that
St. George’s Reef is a spot called Turtle Leap create an abundance of coral formations. . swim by. This dive site was voted the 2nd
where a diver has a 90 percent chance of see- best dive on Ambergris Caye and can be
ing a turtle. The spur and groove formations Devil’s Canyons - Steep Canyon, Wall 60’- combined with the #1 top dive site on a day’s
have disappeared and are replaced with a 150’. It’s called Devil’s Canyons because the diving since both are located in the Marine
rich variety of corals stretching from the reef canyon walls at this site drop off very steep to Reserve.
crest to the drop-off. about 150 feet. It is impressive to dive along M&M Caverns - Located north of San Pedro
Coral Gardens - Snorkelers and beginners the side of these walls. There lots of marine and is considered one of Ambergris Caye’s
enjoy shallows only 2.5m-5m (8’-15’) deep life. best cavern dives. The underwater topogra-
on the inside reef with coral jutting out of the Eagle Ray Canyon – This site is home to at- phy is deep spur and groove formations with
sand. The outside reef is similar, but ranges tract white spotted eagle rays, as well as yel- swim through and tunnels.
to 17m (55’) deep. Sandy bottom with coral low-tail snappers and is just outside the Hol Happy Hours Reef - Because this Belize site
formations and lots of fish varieties. Outside Chan Marine Park Channel. The reef is home is a little out of the way of most dive opera-
reef, 35 to 55 feet. The highlight on this dive to huge barrel sponges and a variety of big tors it gets dived very seldom, which means
is a large coral cavern, called The Chapel. groupers. Eagle Ray Canyons VOTED the #1 lots of fish life and no signs of damage caused
Cypress Canyons - The coral spurs at this Best Dive on Ambergris Caye. This is a Ma- by divers. We particularly like this site as it
easy dive site top out at 15m (50’) depth, rine Reserve so nothing may be touched or has a lot of barrel sponges and is wonderful
while the canyon grooves cut to depths of taken, we ask that you are careful with your for macro photography due to the abundant
30m (100’). The corals form mushroom fins and avoid accidentally touching the reef. small critters found at this site. Another ob-
shapes for interesting undercuts. This is a Cypress Gardens - An excellent site for all servation we made at this site is at a certain
photogenic spot for macros. Visibility is types of coral species, such as huge pillar time of the year we have noticed the coral
great too. You’ll find an uncommon con- corals, elkhorn, staghorn and very abundant spawning. The dive will be 60-80ft deep and
centration of elkhorn corals with schools of with small reef fish and critters. Located in last for about 50-30 minutes, with a 3-minute
snappers. Cypress is a spur-and-groove reef 50 feet of water, this has long been one of my safety stop.
with deep and narrow canyons running per- favorite sites for the sheer quality of the coral
