Page 266 - Central America

The prevailing winds and waves are from the Dive Site Name Section Top Rated M a r k e d Pelagics
northeast and, therefore, the calmer water is found on Franko
along the western coast. Very few people dive the Eagle Ray Wall South Yes
eastern coast of Lighthouse Reef. This entire reef Gorgonian Forest North Yes Maps
crest is dominated by staghorn, elkhorn and gi- Half Moon Wall South Yes Yes Yes
ant brain coral with many other varieties also pre- Hat Caye Drop-off South Yes
sent. This is one of the most extensive stretches of Long Caye Ridge South Yes Yes
healthy and abundant coral in Belize. The ledge Nurse Shark Lodge South Yes
slopes very gradually until the top of the dropoff is Quebrada South Yes Yes
reached between 120 and 140 feet (36 and 42 m). Southwest Cut South Yes Tes
The vertical drop continues down to depths of over Silver Caves South Yes
2,600 feet (788 m). The Great Blue Hole North Yes
The famous Great Blue Hole is a 310·meter diam- The Aquarium South Yes
eter, 124-meter-deep circular sinkhole right in the Tres Cocos South Yes Yes
middle of this huge turquoise lagoon. Lighthouse West Point I & West North Yes
Reef offers excellent visibility, with walls and ex- Point II Yes
tensive reefs beginning at only 35 feet depth, most- South Point Light- South Yes
ly concentrated on the south end of the island. In house Marine Pro-
it, the diver will find coral only at the very top, on tected Area Yes
the rim of the hole. The lack of sunlight prevents
coral growth on the inclining walls of the hole. At
about 130 feet of depth, one can see huge stalagtites
hanging off the overhangs. With several reef sharks
and an occasional bull shark greet the divers. At
certain days more than 20 of them chill out in the
cool depth of the Blue Hole. These sharks have just
recently named the hole their home and make for a
very exciting dive.