Each month we are going to highlight a special place in the world with the hope of sharing a couple of our favorite things which we view as truly unique! From exotic animal sightings, to one of a kind beaches, our goal is to take you on a journey, both above and below the surface, to some of the most enchanting places in the world!
Our first stop is the Latin American country of Belize, a country where you can scuba dive along the largest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere, explore ancient Mayan temples, and zip-line across the jungle canopy all in one day. Scuba divers from across the world come to Belize to explore waters unlike anywhere else. It is a truly outstanding natural system consisting of a barrier reef bursting with marine life, offshore atolls, several hundred sand cays, mangrove forests, coastal lagoons, and estuaries. With hundreds of different species of marine life calling this place home, we wanted to focus on one in particular, the largest in the world to be exact, the whale shark!
Whale sharks are the largest fish in the sea, measuring lengths of 40 feet or more. These gentle giants travel to Belize annually from March to June. They tend to congregate in an area called the Gladden Spit, which is where a particular species of snapper, the black or cubera snapper, come to spawn. The whale sharks will swim from the deep blue over a wall’s edge that tops at about 150 feet. It is here where you have the chance to witness a truly magnificent sight, as this is the only place in the world where you can see large schools of snapper and whale sharks while diving.
It is advised that 4-6 days after the full moon is the best chance you will have to see these magnificent creatures. Of course, these are wild animals, so there is no guarantee. If possible, it is best to book multiple days to maximize your chance. From Placencia out to Gladden Spit, the boat ride is about an hour and fifteen minutes. Operators will typically do two dives and snorkelers will have two snorkel sessions. This dive is essentially in the deep blue, often times you will not see the bottom, so it is recommended that your experience level be intermediate to advanced.
Gladden Spit is part of the Gladden Spit Marine Reserve, which was established in 2000. This area has been the focus on whale shark research leading to new information concerning population, ecology, movements, and behavior of whale sharks. Several regulations have been put in place in order to allow us to safely interact with these wonderful creatures. The regulations include, but not limited to, limiting the amount of time in the water, regulating the amount of boats in the area, limiting the number of people in the water at one time, and preventing the use of camera flashes. It is also strongly encouraged that no diver touch or “ride” these animals, as you may be subject to fines.
This is truly a once in a lifetime experience, and one that will surely not be forgotten. There are several operators in the area, so let us help you plan this incredible opportunity today!
Stay tuned throughout the rest of the month as we continue our journey across Belize!
