TRAVELSPECIAL
Red fan coral at Southwater Caye
Fragments of Hope coral restoration snorkel shark was sleeping, while spiny lobsters and spider crabs emerged for their evening forage.
We returned to Splash Dive Centre the next day, better rested and a little more organised. Soon the Splash dive boat sped us to South Water Caye Marine Reserve and our first dive at Long Caye reef. Visibility here was as good. We cruised leisurely over an impressive array of corals and sponges, including big barrel sponges, while fish meandered among the reef ' s many shapes and colours.
We swam along the edge where the reef dropped into the depths, while schools of jacks and other fish came and went. Our most faithful companion was a superfriendly nurse shark who spent the entire dive with us, providing plenty of photo opportunities. A curious remora also joined the party.
The Caribbean is suffering an invasion of Lionfish, native to the Indian and Pacific oceans. We saw an abundance of these venom-spined fish. To do your bit to control these damaging invasive fish, be sure to eat them! They are served at many restaurants and are delicious.
Shake-down with Splash
We began our exploration of Belize in Palencia, heading straight from the airport to Splash Dive Centre for our dusk shakedown dive. Despite our disorganisation with suitcases strewn around the comfortable lobby, the staff were warm and helpful.
The site was at Laughing Bird Caye Marine Reserve, around 30mins boat ride away. Visibility was a milky 15m, but with the sun setting, we lit up the vibrant reef with our torches. Soon, a Caribbean reef shark appeared out of the gloom, a nurse
Spiny lobster at Southwater Caye
A vibrant reef scene
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