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Be One With Belize (Belize Tourism)
Tranquil white-sand beaches lining the island shores, hammocks swinging in the Caribbean breeze and crystal-clear water stretching as far as the eye can see is what divers experience at Belize's beautiful South Water Caye Marine Reserve. Sixty-two square miles of azure sea, mangrove cayes and pristine shores make up this stunning diving paradise. This area contains the longest unbroken reef ridge in Belize, a spectacular barrier-reef drop-off and islands of exposed rock, beneath which massive barracudas and rays live. Combined, these unbelievable natural wonders create enough variety to provide idyllic diving for all skill levels.
The "drop-off" refers to the Belize Barrier Reef's spectacular 1,000-mile ridge, which runs the length of the reserve. In addition to the wide array of fish and marine life on the 120-foot dives down this wall, the areas among the mangrove cayes in the reserve are some of the most biologically productive habitats in Belize. With visibility up to 100 feet and water temperatures around 80 degrees year-round, it's no wonder that divers continually return.
For a distinctive dive vacation with experienced guides, visit the Blue Marlin Lodge on South Water Caye. With lodging just steps from the sea, a full dive shop and daily fishing trips, this resort has the most-extensive facilities of any hotel property on the reserve. The bright yellow, Caribbean-style wood cabins with rooms set right over the sea provide an interesting contrast to the futuristic, dome-shaped "igloo" rooms that sit atop the sandy beach.
For a more-traditional Caribbean beach vacation, the gorgeous Pelican's Pouch South Water Caye Resort extends across the southern end of the Caye. With beaches offering walk-in snorkeling and scuba diving, and accommodations featuring private cottages with ocean- view suites, this environmentally friendly resort melts right into the seemingly unending Caribbean shoreline.
PERTINENT INFO: Boats leave from the south shore of Gumagurugu River or North Stann Creek a few times daily, or Pelican's Pouch South Water Caye Resort offers daily runs from Dangriga at $62.00 USD per person.
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