Hol Chan Marine Reserve

Coral reefs, it has been said, are visual poems filling a diver’s sense of sight with form, color and patterns. If so, Belize is a master poet. At 185 miles in length, Belize is home to the second largest barrier reef in the world. Declared as a World Heritage Site, the reef system contains areas of exceptional beauty and natural habitats for marine life including many endangered species.

The Hol Chan Marine Reserve is the most popular diving/snorkeling site in all of Belize. The reserve was formed primarily as a community-based initiative due to concern over the high level of uncontrolled fishing in the area. The government, supported by international conservation groups, established the reserve on May 2, 1987. It encompasses four zones that include 3 distinct ecosystems, covering 3 square miles.

Today, with over 2 decades of protected status, what was once a depleted fishing area has now been allowed to re-generate, providing an unparalleled diving/snorkeling experience for visitors and an important refuge for marine life along the northern section of the Belize Barrier Reef.