There are so many reasons to go scuba diving in Belize; home to over 450 offshore Cays that are abundant in dive locations, you can encounter creatures that you’ve never seen before, see all colors of corals, revisit history through underwater wreckage, and more.
The best way to get to your favorite locations is by staying in dive resorts in Belize that are strategically placed so that you wouldn’t miss a thing.
Dive Resorts in Belize in 2023
1. Blackbird Caye Resort
The Blackbird Caye Resort is one of the most famous oceanfront resorts on Turneffe Atoll, the largest coral atoll in Belize.
Its location is ideal because it has proximity to 70 dive spots, the most famous of which is the Great Blue Hole, a 407-feet-deep marine sinkhole that is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Dive into the Great Blue Hole to see species, such as midnight parrotfish, Caribbean reef sharks, hammerheads, or rock formations, such as stalactites and stalagmites.
Also, there are daily trips to the Half Moon Caye, another World Heritage Site. It’s known for its crystal-clear turquoise waters, eagle rays, sea turtles, garden eels, corals, sponge formations, and more.
The resort prides itself on having a PADI 5-star dive center that offers classes, training, referrals, and certifications. It also has an on-island equipment center so that you can rent all the diving gear, wetsuits, and boats you need.
2. Turneffe Island Resort
As its name implies, the private Turneffe Island Resort lies on the 14-acre Turneffe island. You can relax and unwind at the resort’s white sand beach or take advantage of the resort’s excellent location.
Like all dive resorts in Belize, this one boasts proximity to 32 dive sites. If you’re into wreck diving, you can reach the Sayonara Wreck in no time. We also recommend visiting the Elbow, where you can see interesting species, such as lionfish, groupers, snappers, and more.
Also, you can enjoy weekly trips to the age-old Great Blue Hole, which is only 30 miles away from the resort. Then, you can cruise to Half Moon Caye and Long Caye Wall.
The Turneffe Island Resort provides the guidance of 6 dive masters that know the Turneffe Atoll by heart. The diving program also includes PADI courses and certifications for aspiring scuba divers. Feel free to dive well-prepared, thanks to their on-site equipment rentals.
3. Portofino Beach Resort
If you’d like to stay and explore Ambergris Caye, the largest, most beautiful island of Belize, feel free to consider the Portofino Beach Resort. The resort prides itself on its seclusion and privacy, a quality that most scuba divers look for.
Portofino’s location provides its residents with close access to a multitude of famous dive sites, such as the Great Blue Hole, Lighthouse Reef, Hol Chan, Mexico Rocks, Pillar Coral, Tres Cocos, San Pedro Canyons, and more.
Like all of our favorite dive resorts in Belize, this beachfront resort offers PADI courses and certifications for scuba divers of all levels. In addition, the resort’s instructors will guide your dive trips so that you can make the most of them.
Final Thoughts
Belize is home to dive sites that every scuba diver must see at least once in a lifetime. From the Great Blue Hole to Half Moon Caye and Long Caye Wall, there’s so much to see.
So, we recommend these resorts because their locations are time-saving, and they provide excellent diving programs for all divers, professional or amateurs.