Glover's Reef
Glover’s Reef is a unique, idyllic site, with over 700 pristine patch reefs abundant in a wide variety of marine life.
© iStock-Wirestock
Explore the Stann Creek District
Stann Creek District is a district that lies on the southeast coast of Belize, with its shore on the Caribbean Sea. There are numerous exciting diving locations here, with some of the highlights including Placencia, Tobacco Caye, and Glover’s Reef Atoll. What all these diving locations have in common includes fantastic visibility, usually over 30 meters/98 feet, warm waters throughout the year—ranging between 26°C/79°F and 30°C/86°F—stunning marine environments, and the chance to see a multitude of marine species. All of these areas have a few dive centers and dive resorts that offer multiple diving adventures, including dive courses, night dives, and guided dives to the best dive sites in the region. All these areas cater to a wide range of divers, from beginners wanting to start their diving journeys in the shallow, calm dive sites, to more experienced divers who want to visit the steep reef walls, the deep-sea caves, the channels, the pinnacles, and more. All of these regions also provide an opportunity to spot some very exciting marine species; at Tobacco Caye, divers can visit Shark Cave and see different species of sharks, Glover’s Reef Atoll provides the chance to see manta rays, and Placencia is a popular spot to dive with whale sharks. These regions are slightly less popular than other parts of Belize, but this means a lack of crowds and still an impressive selection of marine environments, including vibrant reefs, and all the life that comes with it. Diving here should absolutely be on divers' bucket lists.
Top Regions to Explore
Dive Centers
Top Stann Creek District Dive Sites
Shark Cave, Tobacco Caye
Shark Cave offers a thrilling diving experience with the opportunity to spot nurse sharks, blacktip reef sharks, and bull sharks. The adventure level is advanced due to the presence of multiple shark species. This site is ideal for scuba diving and features a captivating underwater spectacle of diverse shark gatherings.
Tarpon Channel, Tobacco Caye
Renowned as the best shore dive in Belize, Tarpon Channel is teeming with tarpon and a variety of Caribbean fish. The site offers an easy adventure level suitable for both scuba diving and freediving. Its vibrant marine life makes it a must-visit for any dive enthusiast.
Long Caye Wall, Glover’s Reef Atoll
Long Caye Wall boasts an extraordinary reef covered with colorful corals and sponges. This site, ideal for advanced divers, is perfect for scuba diving with the possibility of seeing manta rays. The wall provides a stunning underwater panorama at Glover's Reef Atoll.
The Pinnacles, Glover’s Reef Atoll
The Pinnacles feature over thirty large coral formations, each about 30 meters/98 feet high. This unique topography offers an advanced diving adventure exclusively for scuba divers. The site promises a distinctive exploration of coral structures.
Gladden Spit, Placencia
Gladden Spit is famous for the chance to encounter whale sharks, the gentle giants of the sea. The site is suitable for advanced scuba divers and is located in an ecologically important area. Diving here during the right season offers a memorable experience of swimming alongside these majestic creatures.
The best Months to Dive in the Stann Creek District
Stann Creek District offers divers year-round opportunities, with water temperatures ranging from 26°C–30°C/79°F–86°F, ensuring comfortable diving conditions throughout the year. The district's visibility is generally excellent, averaging 20–30 meters/66–98 feet, making it ideal for exploring vibrant marine life and coral reefs.
The dry season, from November to April, provides the most favorable conditions with calm seas and minimal wind, enhancing visibility. While diving is possible year-round, the rainy season from June to October can bring stronger currents and reduced visibility due to increased rainfall and occasional tropical storms. Planning trips during the dry season is recommended for optimal conditions, although diving remains feasible during wetter months for those willing to adapt to changing weather patterns.
Top Wildlife Sightings in the Stann Creek District
Stann Creek District, located in Belize, is renowned for its vibrant marine life, particularly around the Belize Barrier Reef. Divers can commonly encounter colorful reef fish such as parrotfish, angelfish, and butterflyfish. These species are abundant year-round, thriving in the coral gardens that make up this underwater paradise.
Seasonally, divers may have the chance to see larger marine animals. Hawksbill and green sea turtles are most frequently spotted between June and October during their nesting season. Additionally, nurse sharks and southern stingrays are often seen near the reef's edge, especially during the warmer months. While encounters with these animals are never guaranteed, certain dive sites such as Gladden Spit offer higher chances, particularly during the spring when whale sharks migrate through the area, drawn by the annual snapper spawning event.
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 approx.: 27
iStock-Global_Pics
Barracuda
258 Sightings
J
14
F
12
M
21
A
28
M
31
J
43
J
28
A
9
S
8
O
10
N
27
D
27
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
254 Sightings
J
18
F
19
M
29
A
34
M
29
J
35
J
30
A
8
S
5
O
4
N
24
D
19
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
136 Sightings
J
9
F
7
M
12
A
11
M
21
J
5
J
18
A
12
S
1
O
21
N
8
D
11
iStock-ShaneGross
Loggerhead Turtle
87 Sightings
J
5
F
3
M
19
A
12
M
13
J
10
J
10
A
5
S
1
O
3
N
2
D
4
Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography
Green Turtle
65 Sightings
J
1
F
6
M
6
A
10
M
12
J
7
J
13
A
6
S
0
O
0
N
1
D
3
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
49 Sightings
J
4
F
1
M
7
A
6
M
8
J
0
J
5
A
2
S
1
O
12
N
0
D
3
Shutterstock-Andrey Armyagov
Hawksbill Turtle
38 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
5
A
7
M
0
J
5
J
4
A
4
S
0
O
12
N
0
D
1
iStock/HakBak1979
Bull Shark
20 Sightings
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0
F
0
M
0
A
6
M
10
J
3
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
1
N
0
D
0
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
535 Sightings
J
38
F
46
M
64
A
56
M
64
J
66
J
68
A
26
S
9
O
17
N
40
D
41
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 12
iStock/cinoby
Lionfish
352 Sightings
J
22
F
30
M
38
A
33
M
31
J
45
J
39
A
13
S
9
O
23
N
42
D
27
