There’s nothing like the raw excitement of swimming among curious and brazen fish, combined with the sensation of zero gravity. Belize was a Western Hemisphere diving mecca decades before it became the romantic and trendy destination it is today. Hundreds of miles of reefs, atolls, caves, coral patches, and coastline harbor entire alien worlds to explore, as do shipwrecks with centuries of secrets.

Belizean dive stories often involve dolphins, swarms of horse-eye jacks and massive tarpon, or dozens of spotted eagle rays at a time. Some divers go strictly to photograph the Dr. Seussian coral life or to get that elusive whale shark shot in March, April, or May.

Phenomenal dives are abundant up and down the entire Belize Barrier Reef, which begins off the northern tip of Ambergris Caye and extends southward to the Sapodilla Cayes in Belize’s southernmost reaches. Except for a few overused or storm-damaged spots, the barrier reef’s coral is in excellent condition.

Beyond the reef are Belize’s three amazing atolls:

Glover’s Reef: Celize’s southernmost atoll, Glover’s Reef is a ring of beautiful coral reef that spans nearly 80 square miles.

Turneffe Islands: Not far from Belize City, the Turneffe Islands are a diver’s dream, encompassing some of Belize’s not-to-be-missed dive sites, such as The Elbow and Gales Point.

Lighthouse Reef: Accessible from Belize City, Ambergris Caye, and Caye Caulker, the Lighthouse Reef Atoll is a favorite diving destination—not to mention that it is home to the famous Blue Hole and Half Moon Caye Wall, where the diving is second to none.

While these dive sites might top the list, know that your options include literally hundreds of other sites. Of particular note is the diving in southern Belize, where you’ll find some of Belize’s most exclusive and remote dive opportunities amid the Sapodilla Cayes.