SOUTH WATER CAYE MARINE RESERVE

South Water Caye Marine Reserve is the country's largest marine reserve. Located some 20 km off the coast of Dangriga and Hopkins, it covers 500 km², comprising a mosaic of natural coastal and coral habitats. There are several areas of interest to visit, including Man of War Caye, famous as a nesting area for brown boobies and frigate birds. The area's coral reefs are home to protected species such as the hawksbill turtle, black grouper, Nassau grouper and West Indian manatee, as well as a wide variety of sharks ranging from the harmless sleeper shark to larger blacktip sharks, most of which like to come and greet divers on their daily visits. You can also stop off around verdant mangrove islands such as Twin Caye and Pelican Range to observe their breathtaking ecosystems of transparent lagoons with deep seabeds surrounded by coral chains, coral reefs and mangrove roots, in the midst of which various species of tunicate sponges and marine plants flourish. You can explore these wonders equipped with a mask and snorkel, or with tanks for memorable dives, or with a fishing rod. In the latter case, you'll need to obtain a permit and read the park's regulations carefully before casting your line, but local operators will be happy to take care of the formalities for you.