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.

Top Dive Sites Map

★★★★★ Toffee Canyons

Toffee Canyons is a great dive site just off Ambergris Caye. This is a fairly shallow site great for newer divers and snorkelers. Healthy reef system with lots of marine life to see.

621
Logs
501
Divers
20.0 m
⌀ Depth
19.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares

★★★★☆ Hol Chan Marine Reserve

Hol Chan is THE most popular dive area in Belize if not all of the Caribbean. This Marine Park sits just offshore from Ambergris Caye and boasts great visibility, beautiful coral formations, and TONS of marine life.

4,026
Logs
2,779
Divers
11.0 m
⌀ Depth
16.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares, Predrag Vuckovic

★★★★★ Esmeralda Canyon

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.

2,915
Logs
2,297
Divers
21.0 m
⌀ Depth
20.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares

★★★★☆ Tuffy Canyon

Also known as Tuffy Rocks, this site sits adjacent to the more popular ’Tackle Box’ dive site. This reef is fairly shallow and is good for newer divers and snorkeling alike. This site is boat accessible.

1,604
Logs
1,077
Divers
16.0 m
⌀ Depth
18.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares

★★★★☆ San Pedro - Belize

One of the most popular dive areas on the island of Ambergris Caye in Belize

1,858
Logs
753
Divers
22.0 m
⌀ Depth
20.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares, Janez Kranjc

★★★★☆ Mayan Princess House Reef

The house reef right off of the Mayan Princess Hotel on Ambergris Caye offers nice, shallow diving good for beginners and snorkelers alike. Not as pristine as the reefs Belize is famous for, but an easy dive that is easily accessible.

739
Logs
599
Divers
22.0 m
⌀ Depth
21.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Aqualung

★★★★☆ San Pedro Canyons - Belize

Tuffy Canyons also known as San Pedro Canyons is located directly in front of the main channel of San Pedro Town. It has a variety of stony corals which forms a loose framework that supports a multitude of protective homes for small invertebrates such as the Brittle Star Fish, Shrimps and Crabs.

2,919
Logs
1,831
Divers
22.0 m
⌀ Depth
21.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Scubapro, Stephen Frink

★★★★★ Tackle Box

Tackle Box is a very popular dive site off of Ambergris Caye. It consists of canyons, caverns, tunnels and lots of places to explore for lobsters, eels and good macro life, or schools of jacks around the reef.

2,806
Logs
2,226
Divers
24.0 m
⌀ Depth
21.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares

★★★★★ Paradise Canyons

Paradise Canyons offer beautiful finger canyon formations with beautiful coral formations and lots of marine life. This site is boat accessible just off San Pedro with depths of 60-70 feet.

1,350
Logs
1,025
Divers
23.0 m
⌀ Depth
20.0 m
⌀ Visibility

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. 

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. 

Statistics

Historical data and trends

Dive Activity & Environmental Conditions