Esmeralda Canyon (★4.6)
One of the most beautiful dives off of Ambergris Caye, the Esmeralda Canyons consists of multiple “slot canyon“ like coral reefs making you feel like your swimming up and down rows of bookshelves in a coral library.
© Mares
Explore the Hol Chan Marine Reserve
Hol Chan Marine Reserve, off the coast of Belize, south of Ambergris Caye, has been a marine reserve since 1987 and harbours some of the best reefs and the highest biodiversity in the area. It harbours different types of topography including seagrass beds, coral gardens and mangrove forests, the reason for such high biodiversity. There are over 160 species of fish here, and some spectacles including two species of Dolphin and the elusive Manatee. There is something for everyone.
Dive Activity
Diving at Hol Chan Marine Reserve
The Hol Chan Marine Reserve is split into four different topography sections; mangrove forests, seagrass beds, coral reefs and the famous split in the reef. There are some drift dives to be done here due to strong currents, there are drop offs and canyons. Diving here is done from either day trip boats from Caye Caulkner dive centres or dive resorts, or liveaboards.
Dive Sites
The best Months to Dive at Hol Chan Marine Reserve
The Caribbean Sea is known to have fantastic diving conditions, mainly warm water temperatures ranging between 24°C and 29°C. The visibility ranges between 15 metres and 30 metres throughout the year. Even though there is a rainy and dry season, the rain doesn’t often hinder diving. April to June are the best months to see some of the most spectacular species.
Top Wildlife Sightings at Hol Chan Marine Reserve
The different topography attracts different species, which means there is constantly something different to see. The mangrove forests are a spawning ground for multiple species including Angelfish, Snappers and Seahorses. There are two species of Sea Turtles which enjoy grazing in the Sea Grass here. One of the more unique species which can be spotted here are Manatees. There is an abundance of schools of reef fish which fill the area with explosions of colour, to match the vast amount of colours on the coral reefs.
Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content
Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography
Green Turtle
1.7k Sightings
J
157
F
151
M
182
A
178
M
191
J
166
J
183
A
120
S
64
O
41
N
91
D
170
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 200
Alamy-WaterFrame
Moray Eel
1.3k Sightings
J
131
F
146
M
124
A
112
M
117
J
119
J
129
A
101
S
54
O
54
N
95
D
144
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 25
iStock/Juliosanjuan
Eagle Ray
1.3k Sightings
J
119
F
114
M
132
A
106
M
122
J
139
J
144
A
111
S
53
O
40
N
79
D
133
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 27
iStock-Global_Pics
Barracuda
1k Sightings
J
73
F
103
M
95
A
69
M
103
J
126
J
133
A
80
S
47
O
43
N
54
D
82
iStock-ShaneGross
Loggerhead Turtle
564 Sightings
J
21
F
39
M
117
A
140
M
99
J
43
J
72
A
4
S
5
O
10
N
12
D
2
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 300
Alamy/Reinhard Dirscherl
Octopus
192 Sightings
J
18
F
12
M
14
A
14
M
21
J
24
J
21
A
19
S
8
O
11
N
12
D
18
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 600
iStock/ultramarinfoto
Wrasse
155 Sightings
J
6
F
21
M
21
A
8
M
13
J
28
J
18
A
15
S
3
O
3
N
1
D
18
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 2
AdobeStock-hakbak
Nurse Shark
5.7k Sightings
J
468
F
491
M
554
A
470
M
491
J
593
J
668
A
469
S
229
O
259
N
425
D
565
AdobeStock-Marc Henauer
Grey Reef Shark
2.5k Sightings
J
181
F
247
M
228
A
237
M
206
J
266
J
336
A
195
S
84
O
79
N
189
D
273
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 80
iStock/Extreme-Photographer
Stingrays
1.9k Sightings
J
148
F
160
M
192
A
156
M
176
J
222
J
233
A
138
S
60
O
84
N
121
D
171
