Belize And The Great Barrier Reef Of The Americas

When the Great Barrier Reef is mentioned, the country of Australia is most often though of. What most people don't realize is that the Caribbean is home to the second largest barrier reef in the world. This barrier reef is just offshore from Belize on the east coast of Central America. Set in the tropics Belize is home to a warm climate, friendly inhabitants and hotels that can compete with the best in the rest of the world. When a vacation for diving or snorkeling is in the planning stages Belize deserves worthy consideration.

When the resident of North America or Europe faces the cold, snow and ice of winter, the concept of tropical breezes, warm waters and sunshine beckon. Belize with the coral reef just offshore provides the opportunity for a warm weather winter vacation. The location of the reef insures that there are many guides who are willing to take tourists out to the reef on a snorkeling trip. With the full knowledge that everyone who wishes to take a snorkeling trip may not have packed diving equipment, most of the services are more than willing to include mask, fins and snorkel for the adventurers. If the traveler to Belize is already a diver, its often a good idea to pack their own mask and snorkel. This insures that the mask and snorkel will be comfortable and enhance the experience of the trip.

The reef can be seen from the beach, however it is not withing swimming distance from the beach. The guides will take visitors out to the reef in small boats. With numerous guides available throughout the country, finding an available guide is a simple matter. When a trip is booked, the diver has the choice of either a half day, 3 - 4 hour trip or a whole day trip. When the trip is booked the diver should inquire as to what amenities are going to be available on the trip. Once that information is acquired, the diver can then determine what other equipment needs to be taken on the trip. What ever extras are brought by the snorkeler, sunscreen is one item that definitely needs to be included. Even during the winter months, the intensity of the sun is higher than it is in northern latitudes.

Any snorkeling expedition can be comprised of snorkelers of different skill levels. Experienced snorkelers can be mixed in with people who have never been in the ocean before. One of the first stops on a snorkeling tour will be on a quiet reef in calm water. This stop will allow the dive master to evaluate the experience level of this charges. This stop will allow the members of the tour the opportunity to acclimate themselves to both the equipment and the experience of snorkeling in open water.

The majority of snorkeling tours include Shark-Ray Alley at Cay Caulker. This favorite stop is home to both nurse sharks and southern sting rays. Because it is a favorite stop the sharks and rays have become accustomed to the presence of humans. This acclimation is increased since the operators of the dive tour often provide sardines to the inhabitants as a snack. The familiarity of the sharks and rays with humans allow the humans to actually touch or handle the sharks and rays.

Should time and conditions allow, a third stop is often made on the trip back to the mainland. This stop is usually made on the onshore side of the reef and allows the members of the tour the opportunity ot explore the coral and the vibrant colors of the tropical fish that inhabit the area.

The small boats that are utilized for the snorkeling tours enter the Caribbean Sea. Small boats when combined with the movement of the open ocean can often induce seasickness to those not acclimated to the movement of a boat on the ocean. Prior to embarking on the dive tour, it is often a good idea to take Dramamine to minimize the effects of seasickness. A simple pill will enhance the diving experience and make it more pleasurable.

The quality accommodations available in Belize when combined with the people of Belize provide a most amenable place to vacation in. When not engaged in a snorkeling expedition the tourist to Belize has the opportunity to explore the remnants of the Mayan culture that still exists in Belize. Tropical weather, diving opportunities that do not exist anywhere else in the world and comfortable accommodations make Belize well worthy of consideration for a snorkeling vacation.