Diving in Belize Aboard the Belize Aggressor III Liveaboard
Associate Publisher David Benz traveled to Belize to dive Lighthouse Reef and Turneffe Atoll aboard the luxury live-aboard Sun Dancer II during an owner's trip/wine appreciation week. And he made the most of it! See his trip in a stunning photo gallery.
DIVING IN BELIZE ABOARD SUN DANCER II
Three of the four only true atolls in the hemisphere, Turneffe, Lighthouse and Glover's Reef lie just over the horizon from Belize's mainland, beyond the barrier reef. These living rings of mangroves and reefs aren't volcanic like Pacific atolls; they're the result of thousands of years of coral building upon coral. Because of this buildup, Belize is a wall diver's paradise. Sheer walls like Painted Wall, Half Moon Caye Wall and Quebrada are adorned with huge crimson gorgonians and giant orange elephant ear sponges. Moray eels, spiny lobsters and tiny arrow crabs hide in every crack, crevice, cave and tunnels of these beautiful coral formations. The five-and-a-half diving days aboard the Sun Dancer II are spent along sheer walls interrupted by sand channels, where you'll encounter cruising pelagics — eagle rays, Caribbean reef sharks and more. At Half Moon Caye, you can go ashore to see one of the world's largest red-footed booby colonies.
Turneffe Islands Atoll is the largest of Belize's atolls, and closest to the mainland. Turneffe boasts excellent drop-offs and shallow coral gardens, as well as some of the finest fishing in Belize. Lighthouse Reef is the farthest from the mainland, and home to the much touted Blue Hole. Glover's Reef Atoll is the most remote and least visited of the three, and was recently designated a World Heritage Site.
Every Saturday at 6 p.m., the luxurious Sun Dancer II casts off from the Radisson Ft. George dock, located in the heart of downtown Belize City.
Diving begins Sunday morning and ends Friday before lunch when the Sun Dancer II returns to port. Sunday through Thursday there is unlimited diving throughout the day and a night dive each evening. Friday a half day of diving is offered.
If you are equally as passionate about wine as you are about scuba diving, you might want to join Aggressor Liveaboards CEO Wayne Brown for a wine appreciation and tasting charter aboard the Belize Aggressor III. You'll sample unique vintages of red and white wines and spend a fun-filled week of sharing stories, toasts and, of course, diving the very best that Belize has to offer.
David BenzGorgonians and corals decorate the walls off Belize's atolls.
DIVING IN BELIZE ABOARD BELIZE AGGRESSOR III
Three of the four only true atolls in the hemisphere, Turneffe, Lighthouse and Glover's Reef lie just over the horizon from Belize's mainland, beyond the country's famed barrier reef. These living rings of mangroves and reefs aren't volcanic like Pacific atolls; they're the result of thousands of years of coral building upon coral.
Because of this buildup, Belize is a wall diver's paradise. Sheer walls like Painted Wall, Half Moon Caye Wall and Quebrada are adorned with huge crimson gorgonians and giant orange elephant ear sponges.
David BenzA Caribbean reef shark encounter.
Moray eels, spiny lobsters and tiny arrow crabs hide in every crack, crevice, cave and tunnels of the atolls' beautiful coral formations, but Belize can also surprise divers with encounters with larger fish — it's not uncommon to see Caribbean reef sharks on many dives.
David BenzNassau grouper are solitary hunters during the daytime, but at dusk will begin to aggregate in larger numbers to spawn.
The five-and-a-half diving days aboard the Belize Aggressor III are spent along sheer walls interrupted by sand channels, where you'll encounter cruising pelagics — eagle rays, Caribbean reef sharks and more. At Half Moon Caye, you can go ashore to see one of the world's largest red-footed booby colonies.
David BenzA diver explores one of Belize's famed walls.
Turneffe Islands Atoll is the largest of Belize's atolls, and closest to the mainland. Turneffe boasts excellent drop-offs and shallow coral gardens, as well as some of the finest fishing in Belize. Lighthouse Reef is the farthest from the mainland, and home to the much-touted Blue Hole. Glover's Reef Atoll is the most remote and least visited of the three, and was recently designated a World Heritage Site.
David BenzSponges are found on every wall dive.
Blue Hole is a massive ocean cavern that is more than 1,000 feet across, almost perfectly round, and 450 feet deep. Many divers want to dive the Blue Hole, and it's definitely one to check off your bucket list. You'll descend to 130 feet, where you have about eight minutes to view stalactites suspended from the cavern ceiling. Then you'll fin your way up the wall, often accompanied by reef sharks. It's not as exciting as many hope, but it's a unique experience to have at least once in your life.
David BenzLobsters sheltering in a sponge.
David BenzSchooling fish.
READ MORE: 10 Reasons You'll Love Belize.
David BenzA reef still life.
READ MORE: Spawning Nassau grouper in Belize.
David BenzLook for moray eels in holes and cracks in the reef.
David BenzJuvenile stoplight parrotfish
Courtesy Aggressor LiveaboardsThe Belize Aggressor III sleeps 18 guests in privacy and comfort. The yacht features a roomy, air-conditioned salon and dining area, sun deck complete with a hot tub, lounge and deck chairs, stereo and CD player, shaded wet bar and grill, a complete photo center with a digital video and still photo editing computer.
Every Saturday at 6 p.m., the luxurious Belize Aggressor III casts off from the Radisson Ft. George dock, located in the heart of downtown Belize City.
Diving begins Sunday morning and ends Friday before lunch when the Belize Aggressor III returns to port. Sunday through Thursday there is unlimited diving throughout the day and a night dive each evening. Friday a half day of diving is offered.
