Sagitar Travel Vacations presents Belize - Outer Islands
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There are only four atolls in the Western Hemisphere, and three of them are in Belize. They boast some of the most exciting wall diving in the region and promise excellent visibility. To dive here you have a few options- daytrips through a dive center in the mainland or offshore cayes, or a package stay at one of the atoll-based resorts.
      
      This is a DIVING paradise, the largest of the offshore atolls is 19 miles from the mainland; it is easily accessible via daytrip boats from Belize City, Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker. Most dive sites are grouped around the south end and west side of the atoll. manatee
 the largest of the offshore atolls is 19 miles from the mainland; it is easily accessible via daytrip boats from Belize City, Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker. Most dive sites are grouped around the south end and west side of the atoll.       Blue Hole is located in the center of Lighthouse Reef Atoll, which is about fifty miles due east of Belize City. The Blue Hole is the largest ocean sinkhole in the world, created by a collapsed underground cavern, hence giving the appearance of a dark blue circle amidst the turquoise sea. The Blue Hole is over 1000ft (300 meters) in diameter and 450ft (135 meters) deep. Below the shallop lip is a cavern filled with hugh stalactites and stalagmites. Diving the Blue Hole is usually reserved of experienced divers accompanied by a dive master. The Blue Hole became famous in 1972 when Jacques Cousteau sailed his ship Calypso to the Blue Hole to film inside.
      Half Moon Caye , located at the southeast corner of Lighthouse Reef Atoll, was the first reserve A feature attraction of Diving in Belize, Especially for divers with a appreciation of geographical phenomena, is the opportunity to explore the famed Blue Hole. Part of the Lighthouse Reef System, it lies approximately 60 miles off the mainland out of Belize City. It is one of the most astounding dive sites to be found anywhere on earth, right in the center of Lighthouse Reef is a large, almost perfectly circular hole approximately one quarter of a mile (.4 km) across. Inside this hole the water is 480 feet (145 m) deep and it is the depth of water which gives the deep blue color that causes such structures throughout the world to be known as blue holes. Like a giant pupil in a sea of turquoise, The Blue Hole is a perfectly circular limestone sinkhole more than 300 feet across and 412 feet deep. The array of bizarre stalactites and limestone formations which mould its walls seem to become more intricate and intense the deeper one dives. Near to The Blue Hole, one of Belize's largest protected areas, Half Moon Caye Natural Monument, encompasses 10,000 acres of the atoll and 15 square miles of surrounding waters. to be established by the Natural Parks System Act of 1981. One of the main reasons that the natural monument was created was to protect the Red-footed Booby bird and its rookery. The Magnificent Frigatebird shares the rookery with the Red-footed Booby, and both species coexist in apparent harmony. Some ninety-eight species of birds have been recorded on the Caye, of which some seventy-seven are migrants. Regular winter migrants include Ospreys, Mangrove Warblers, and White-crowned Pigeons. The waters surrounding Half Moon Caye are abundant with life, and snorkeling and scuba diving opportunities are excellent.
Half Moon Caye , located at the southeast corner of Lighthouse Reef Atoll, was the first reserve to be established by the Natural Parks System Act of 1981. One of the main reasons that the natural monument was created was to protect the Red-footed Booby bird and its rookery. The Magnificent Frigatebird shares the rookery with the Red-footed Booby, and both species coexist in apparent harmony. Some ninety-eight species of birds have been recorded on the Caye, of which some seventy-seven are migrants. Regular winter migrants include Ospreys, Mangrove Warblers, and White-crowned Pigeons. The waters surrounding Half Moon Caye are abundant with life, and snorkeling and scuba diving opportunities are excellent.       Belize is a magnificent and unique underwater paradise - a diver`s dream. There are schools of exotic marine creatures, pedestals and pinnacles of high profile lobular and branching corals, vibrant hues, sponge lined vertical walls and caverns filled with stunning stalactites and stalagmites. Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System is a Natural World Heritage site and is the second largest barrier reef in the world. It is comprised of six cayes, Sandbore, Northern Caye, Saddle Caye, Long Caye, Hat Caye and Half Moon Caye. All of which are excellent places snorkeling and diving. This amazing marine eco-system is made up of several specific reserves and parks. It is a diver`s paradise filled with fascinating coral formations, teeming schools of fish and a large invertebrate population. The snorkeling is great too! And the water clarity is exceptional.

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