I chose this trip because I had learned Belize has some of the Atlantic’s only coral atolls – and that their reefs are super healthy. It was all true. Snorkeling just off Half Moon Caye Belize is super easy. Simply slip your mask, snorkel, and flippers on, and a mere 50 yards from shore amazing underwater wildlife thrives.
Queen Triggerfish
This blog post covers some simple snorkeling just off the island. On the west side of the island, Lighthouse Reef’s 8-10 foot lagoon sports countless coral heads, which are home to dozens of species of fish, turtles, lobster, and squid.
Blue Chromis
Yellow Grunt
On the east side of the island, it connects with the reef ringing 22-mile Lighthouse Reef. Our first snorkel took place out there. Right off, I was rewarded, witnessing so many brightly colored reef fish living out their lives in this protected reserve.
Lots of grunts on the reef!
Some of the most common fish on the reef are grunts. There are different variants, but a frequently seen grunt is the Blue-Striped Grunt.
Blue Striped Grunt
Another fish I saw lots of is the Blue Tang.
The Blue Tang – ubiquitous reef inhabitants
A pair of Spotfin Butterflyfish
Rarely seen are the Spotfin Butterflylfish.
There were sharks, too. And rays. And Parrotfish, and Barracuda. And Squid.
I swam right over this Nurse Shark – I almost didn’t notice it!
I brought an underwater camera along for this trip. I was learning to use it as the trip progressed, and I was able to get some video of underwater wildlife.
In this video, I simply swam 50 yard off the beach and saw parrotfish and trunk fish!
Here, you can see a beautiful Stingray I encountered just off the beach!
Cabin Fever Chronicles - Getting Outdoors with Rod 