Explore Caye Caulker
Caye Caulker is a small island off the coast of Belize in the Caribbean Sea. This quiet paradise island is an ideal location to relax after diving in some of the best diving locations that Belize has to offer. Approximately 1 kilometre offshore of Caye Caulker lies the Belize Barrier Reef, meaning easy access to the second largest barrier reef in the world, and easy access to stunning underwater environments and all the marine species it brings with it. Divers who want to explore the waters around Caye Caulker can do this either by boarding a liveaboard from Belize City, or by taking day trip boats from the handful of dive centres and dive resorts on this island. Diving here will provide divers with a variety of underwater environments, thrilling topography, a high abundance of marine species and unique diving experiences. Should divers want to revel over all the colours of reef at Caye Caulker Marine Reserve, swim through the large schools of fish and explore caves and caverns at Lighthouse Atoll or get excited by spotting larger species such as Manta Rays, Hammerhead Sharks or Nurse Sharks at Turneffe Atoll, then this is the place to go.
Dive Activity
Diving in Caye Caulker
There are a high number of dive areas and dive sites around Caye Caulker and there is definitely something for divers of all levels, and with all interests. The areas are all visited by boat, either liveaboard or day trip boats so it is all boat diving. Underwater there are a lot of opportunities for even the least experienced divers to admire some of the best coral reefs in the area because so much of the reefs lie shallow in many areas of the Belize Barrier Reef and the Lighthouse Atoll. The Lighthouse Atoll also has opportunities to explore caves, caverns and thrilling drop offs. The Caye Caulker Marine Reserve has some lazy drift dives past the coral walls. The Blue Hole allows tec divers to go deeper, recreational divers to float in the abyss and for divers who are certified to 40 metres, explore the caves located at around 33 metres in the walls of the Blue Hole.
Top Wildlife Sightings in Caye Caulker
There is a high abundance of marine life in these areas surrounding Caye Caulker and one of the main factors for that there are multiple marine environments including coral reefs, seagrass and mangrove forests. Some of the spectacles in the mangrove forests at Turneffe Atoll include large clouds of Barracuda, Snappers and Jacks, numerous shark species including Nurse Sharks, Caribbean Reef Sharks and on the luckiest days, Hammerhead Sharks. With over 500 species of fish and 200 species of invertebrates, divers will not be disappointed in the marine life at the Belize Barrier Reef. Some of the species seen here include Spotted Stingray, Eagle Rays, Moray Eels, Sea Turtles, and Seahorses. The reef here is made up of an abundance of Hard Coral formation, colourful Soft Corals, swaying Anemones, Sea Sponges, Sea Fans and Gorgonians. Even though the coral reef at the Caye Caulker Marine Reserve are still in a growing stage, there are still schools of Jacks, Trigger Fish, Green Sea Turtles and more.
Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 25
iStock/Juliosanjuan
91 Sightings
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The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 200
Alamy-WaterFrame
Moray Eel
73 Sightings
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12
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 27
iStock-Global_Pics
Barracuda
59 Sightings
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3
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7
Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography
Green Turtle
38 Sightings
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3
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7
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The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 300
Alamy/Reinhard Dirscherl
Octopus
35 Sightings
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6
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7
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4
iStock-ShaneGross
Loggerhead Turtle
21 Sightings
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The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 600
iStock/ultramarinfoto
Wrasse
12 Sightings
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3
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6
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The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 2
AdobeStock-hakbak
Nurse Shark
160 Sightings
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13
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18
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14
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9
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10
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20
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 80
iStock/Extreme-Photographer
Stingrays
128 Sightings
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11
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18
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13
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 12
iStock/cinoby
Lionfish
123 Sightings
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15
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7
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15
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11
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8
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6
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16
The best Months to Dive in Caye Caulker
There are many reasons why divers and other visitors decide to make Belize and its coastline their holiday destination. These reasons include the paradise-like environment of white sandy beaches, turquoise waters and picturesque underwater scenery, but what makes it even more popular is the pleasant climate. This tropical region has an average temperature of 27°C with a wet and dry season. The dry season is short and runs from February to May, which is also the best time to dive here, however, the rainy season is not as rainy as one would expect and it does not hinder diving. The visibility is also not negatively affected with it ranging between 15 metres and 40 metres. The water temperatures also remain pleasant throughout the year only dropping down to 24°C and 28°C being the average. April to June are the best months to spot larger species including Whale Sharks and Manta Rays.
