Like many other Caribbean destinations, Belize is a fantastic place for underwater photography, both macro and wide angle. While there are amazing sights to see topside, such as Mayan ruins and rainforests, the abundant, healthy coral reefs are by far the most incredible wonder of all. Whether you are most interested in photographing marine life, or if you find the colors and textures that make the reef such a spectacular place, you will find a wealth of incomparable subjects when you enjoy photo dives in Ambergris Caye. Grab your camera, and come along - here are five sites just waiting to be photographed.
Pillar Corals
Soaring pillar corals which look like a series of miniature castles rise up from magnificent coral spurs, sheltering blue striped grunts and schoolmasters. Neon striped cleaner gobies which perch atop small outcroppings in the coral make excellent macro subjects, with their curious faces upturned as they await the arrival of creole wrasse and big black groupers, and schooling yellowtail snapper contrast beautifully with the blue sea.
A dive at Pillar Corals usually lasts about 50 minutes, and maximum depth is 60 feet although most of the best features are at about 30 feet. Watch for squirrelfish and butterfly fish, angelfish and the occasional small reef shark as you explore, and when you head back to the mooring line, get a shot of the yellowtail snappers and groupers that cluster nearby in hopes of getting a handout. Despite park rules, it is obvious that they have been fed by divers in the past.
Tres Cocos Canyon
Named for the three palm trees that once stood onshore, and located north of San Pedro, Tres Cocos Canyon is simply magnificent. The mooring line, which leads to the top of the reef, is anchored in 50 feet of water. The reef descends to meet the seabed at depths between 110 and 120 feet, and as you head along the outside of the reef toward open water, you’ll find yourself among spectacular coral lined canyons with white sandy bottoms that narrow toward their tops more than 50 feet above. As you ascend, you will find lush and colorful stands of gorgonians, spectacular hard coral formations, and sponges that create a fantastic backdrop for the many reef fish and other intriguing reef occupants.
At its best in the morning, the site darkens after midday. Bring a light along with you to brighten the orange, yellow, purple and red colors. Watch for reef sharks, dog snappers, and spade fish, along with barracudas and the occasional turtle.
Cyprus Garden
Magnificent pillar corals, stands of vibrantly colored elkhorn and staghorn corals, and lovely brain and star corals dominate the reef at Cyprus Garden, which features maximum depth at just 70 feet. While there are excellent wide angle opportunities here, there are macro subjects galore. The site is teeming with tiny gobies and other small creatures, including little crabs and small lobsters peeking out from their sponge and lettuce coral homes. Next door, the Cyprus Tunnels site offers swimthroughs and tunnels which are fantastic in their own right. Watch for sailfin and triplefin blennies, which average just two to three inches long. Like other sites here, visibility tends to be excellent, often reaching 100 feet.
Paradise Canyon
Sometimes simply referred to as the “Statue” site, for the statue of Christ which is found here, Paradise Canyon boasts beautiful staghorn and plate corals, as well as colorful tube sponges and huge barrel sponges. Spur and groove reef formations, separated by sandy bottomed canyons, shelter nurse sharks and lobsters, green and spotted moray eels, and roughtail stingrays.
While maximum depth here is 130 feet, the statue of Christ, which is generally the last stop before your safety stop, stands with arms outspread in 60 feet of water, and is usually surrounded by schooling yellowtail snappers.
Palmeros Point
One of the sites which is visited less often, Palmeros Point is located about 12 miles from San Pedro. The reef, which is punctuated with overhangs and cut with steep canyons, begins at about 50 feet and drops to adjoin the sandy seabed at depths between 90 and 110 feet. With large groupers and gangs of snappers, large lobsters and horse eye jacks, the site is also good for the occasional lemon shark or leopard shark encounter, and if you’re lucky, you might see nurse sharks and stingrays resting in the sand. While there is a little macro life and the coral is spectacular, this site is best for photographing larger creatures and their surroundings.
Be sure to book your reservations in advance if you plan to enjoy photo diving in Ambergris Caye or the nearby Hol Chan Marine Reserve, and be sure to bring all the camera equipment you need with you, including extra batteries. It can be a challenge to obtain anything on short notice here, so being prepared can make the difference between a fun trip and a spectacular one.