Whale Shark off Placencia Peninsula. Image credit: Laz Ruda
Scuba Diving Magazine has honored Belize in its Caribbean and Atlantic Readers Choice Top 100 Awards ranking it Second Place Best Overall Destination. Mexico came in just ahead of Belize as Best Overall Destination in the magazine’s 2013 Reader’s Choice Awards.
The magazine describes Belize as:
“If size matters to you, consider the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef — the world’s third longest. Want more superlatives? Swim with the largest living fish — the whale shark — April to July, and take a dip in the most well-known blue hole, home to Caribbean reef sharks and massive stalactites.
“In Belize, expect anything but ordinary: Reefs here are pristine, with regular sightings of eagle rays, green turtles and barracuda. Most dives are along walls pockmarked with caves and swim-throughs hiding a host of marine life. Belize isn’t largely known for macro life, but that could be because epic visibility encourages a wider focus. Come night, it’s easier to scout for the small stuff, from juvenile squid to cleaner shrimp. It’s surely a crowd pleaser — that is, if there were crowds. — Brooke Morton”
The rankings:
CARIBBEAN & ATLANTIC – The birthplace of recreational scuba diving remains as relevant as ever, with impressive variety from plunging walls to blue-water animal action and haunting cenotes.
Best Overall Destination
1. Mexico
2. Belize
3. USVI
4. Cayman Islands
5. Bahamas
Belize also made the Top Five in the Best Marine Environment Category and Best Big Animals
Best Marine Environment
1. Turks & Caicos
2. Bonaire
3. Cayman Islands
4. Belize
5. Dominica
Best Big Animals
1. Bahamas
2. Turks & Caicos
3. Belize
4. Bay Islands
5. Trinidad & Tobago