Snorkel· South Water Caye· Other Caribbean
South Water Caye Marine Reserve
16° 44.0′ N · 88° 8.3′ W
Belize's largest marine reserve - about 117,878 acres off Dangriga and Hopkins, part of the World Heritage reef system - takes in South Water, Carrie Bow, Tobacco and Coco Plum cayes, the Pelican and Twin Cays mangroves and some of the best wall and reef snorkelling inside the barrier reef. Position is the reserve centroid on OpenStreetMap.
Practical
Established 1996 (Gazette 1996/118) under the Fisheries Act and managed by the Fisheries Department (Ventura Yacht Agency). Park entry fees may apply; anchoring is limited to approved sandy areas outside protected reef zones, using buoys where provided (Moorings itineraries). Spotted eagle rays and southern stingrays are characteristic (Boat International). Fishing restricted by zone; bonefish, permit and tarpon catch-and-release only; licence required. Bareboat charters may sail here inside the reef.
Best for
Reef snorkelling, diving and mangrove anchorages in central Belize
Nearby
- Spruce Caye Anchorage1.3 NM away
- Pelican Cayes3.9 NM away
- Hideaway Caye Moorings (Pelican Cayes)4.1 NM away
- Blue Ground Range Anchorage4.4 NM away
- Carrie Bow Caye (Smithsonian Field Station)5.3 NM away
- South Water Caye Anchorage5.8 NM away
- Twin Cays Anchorage5.9 NM away
- South Water Caye Resort Dining6 NM away
Place data includes © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).