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Laughing Bird Caye National Park - Many bit of current and is an excellent habitat for turtles, spotted eagle rays, green and spot-
reef fish, coral and macro life such as crabs healthy coral growth. ted moray eels, and schools of horse-eye
and shrimp. It’s possible to see many differ- Long Coco Split - This area has basically the jack and schoolmasters. Occasionally reef
ent types of rays such as the southern and same marine life as dive sites around Laugh- sharks, manta rays, and even the whale shark
eagle rays, or maybe even a manta if you’re ing Bird Caye. The formation here is a bit dif- can be seen cruising in the open blue water.
lucky. Laughing Bird Caye is a National Park ferent from most sites in Southern Belize and This dive is usually done as a multi-level dive
and World Heritage Site. This beautiful and it is also possible to dive a bit deeper here. starting at 80 feet/24mt off the wall then
unique caye is located eleven nautical miles Most of the activity at this site is at the tip working up to about 40 feet/12 meters on top
east of Placencia. The boat ride takes about of the split where large schools of silversides of the reef crest.
30 minutes to some of the most beautiful can be found here along with bigger preda- Pompion Wall - Start this dive in about 30
dive sites in Southern Belize. The forma- tor fish. Black corals and gorgonians give this feet/15 mt of water then work your way
tion of most of the dive sites are fringing reef site a unique appearance as it is inner reef. down the slope to about 45 feet/14mt where
systems, with spur and groove formations, Long Reef – Located approximately two nau- there is a sheer wall which drops down a few
and occasional drop offs and areas of patch tical miles south of Southwater Caye. The thousand feet. Off the wall there is lots to
reef. These sites are ideal for entry level and wall here starts at 45 feet/12mt and drops to see in the 70 foot/21mt range where many
novice divers as there are very weak cur- a little over 100 feet/30mt. It then goes east crevices forms a protective habitat. Creatures
rents, and many of the sites are protected, a few feet before it drops into the blue. The that can be seen hiding out include the spiny
and these sites are also suited to experienced dive is usually done in the 60 foot/18 meter lobsters, green moray eels, spider crabs and
and expert divers who have good buoyancy depth range where little crevices can be seen hawksbill turtles. Lots of colorful Caribbean
control, and a fine eye for details, as there are along the wall. This is a perfect hiding spot reef fishes can be seen on top or along the
many reef critters that will make the dives for spiny lobsters, huge spider crabs, and wall as well. Pelagic species such as the king
enjoyable and exciting. spotted eels. Eagle rays and turtles are quite mackerel, wahoo and a few smaller species of
Laughing Bird South - At this site a huge common at this site. tuna can be seen occasionally off in the blue
canyon, at 50 feet/15mt, runs north to south. North Wall – 40 to 100 foot dive (12-30 me- water.
This dive can be done either in between or ters) This is one of the premier dive sites in
on the east side of the canyon. Lobsters can the area and offers just about everything one
be found in groups of 4 or 5 hiding out in the can hope to see on the Belize Barrier Reef.
crevices of the canyon. On the sandy bottom This site is full of marine life with highlights
in between the canyons wall is a usual hiding including huge black groupers, hawksbill
spot for southern stingrays and nurse sharks.
The southern part of the canyon catches a
