Diving Lighthouse Reef Atoll

Blue HoleBlue Hole - The world’s largest blue hole, it was made famous by Jacques Cousteau in the 1970’s. A healthy reef exists around the edge of the Blue Hole, which is great for snorkeling. The lack of sunlight prevents coral growth on the walls of the Blue Hole, but you will encounter geological wonders. At about 130 feet of depth, one can see huge stalactites hanging off the overhang. Some of them more then 20 feet in length. Also at this depth several reef sharks and an occasional bull shark greet the divers.

Queen AngelfishHalf Moon Caye Wall - This multi-level wall dive is one of the world's best. A shallow beginning with huge corals lying on a white sand bottom where garden eels sway back and forth, drops vertically over spur-and-groove canyons with dense corals, swim-throughs, and some of the most spectacular sponge formations found anywhere. Larger pelagics such as eagle rays, sea turtles, and groupers are often seen swimming in the blue.

Photo by: Linda Searle

Grouper. Photo courtesy of Linda SearleTarpon Caves - Green tube sponges, plate-form star coral, black coral trees, and monster barrel sponges projecting from the many small ledges and lots of fish, including some huge Black Groupers, make this a fabulous dive. Tarpon Caves can be a shallow dive in 30 to 50 feet of water or a deep dive along the wall from 60 to 130 feet. The name comes from the deep notches cut in the top of the reef, exiting at about 80 feet. The sand areas are rich in garden eels, midnight parrot fish, razor fish and southern stingrays. Tarpon patrol the inside edge of the reef.
Photo by: Linda Searle

Elkhorn Forest. Photo courtesy of Linda SearleElkhorn Forest - Located south of Half Moon Caye's western beach beautiful elkhorn and lettuce leaf corals that grow in the shallows. Here, among the coral formations, you're likely to find all sorts of colorful fishes. Elkhorn coral is a major builder of Caribbean coral reefs.

 


Photo by: Linda Searle

AngelfishAngelfish Wall - Another great wall dive nearby the popular Half Moon Caye Wall. Many friendly Gray Angelfish give this site its name. Along the top you'll find an assortment of colorful tropical fish and a variety of Parrotfish. The wall also attracts a large following of groupers, Horse-eye jacks, and snappers. Eagle rays and an occasional shark cruise on by.


Photo by: Linda Searle

Sea turtle. Photo courtesy of Linda SearleEagle Landing - On the southeast tip of Lighthouse Reef Atoll is an ideal place for anyone who wants to enjoy a shallow dive that offers spectacular sights. Tropical reef fish are abundant, as well as Queen Conch and stingrays gliding across the sandy bottom. There are a series of underwater signs, which describe groups of corals, sponges, and gorgonians you'll encounter along the coral ridge. Just past the ridge you can gaze upon a great vertical wall that drops into the blue abyss.

Photo by: Linda Searle