Australia’s Nice Barrier Reef has lengthy been a bucket record expertise for avid divers and ocean lovers. On the opposite facet of the world, nonetheless, there sits a pure marvel that rivals the Nice Barrier Reef as the highest vacation spot for underwater journey. The Mesoamerican Reef is the second-longest barrier reef on this planet, stretching previous Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras. For those who’ve been fascinated by reserving that subsequent huge dive (or snorkel) journey, right here’s why the MAR is the place to be.
Three Causes You Ought to Expertise The Mesoamerican Reef
If the Mesoamerican Reef has any benefit over its large Australian counterpart within the Pacific, it’s on this proximity to land and the intimacy of its reference to inshore habitats.
-Nationwide GeographicÂ
1. It’s the Second Longest Barrier Reef within the World
With a size of roughly 625 miles, the Mesoamerican Reef is a pure marvel, and one of many largest buildings ever created by dwelling issues (on this case, coral). Alongside its size lay a whole lot of cayes in addition to atolls, marine sinkholes, and spectacular underwater formations. In the meantime, the coastlines that flank it boast spectacular seashores that every 12 months draw thousands and thousands of vacationers from throughout the globe.
2. It’s Filled with Thriving Wildlife
Reef diving in Belize. Picture by way of PADI
Whereas the sheer size of the Nice Barrier Reef is spectacular (1,429 miles), the Mesoamerican Reef (MAR) stands out for a distinct motive. Residence to a whole lot of species of fish in addition to corals, mollusks and different marine animals, the reef is teeming with wildlife. Based on The Nature Conservancy, the system homes the biggest inhabitants of manatees within the western Caribbean in addition to the biggest aggregation of whale sharks on this planet.
Comparable: Have You Seen The Documentary That Launched Belize’s Nice Blue Gap to Thousands and thousands?
Although stunning, nonetheless, it’s price noting that the MAR, just like the Nice Barrier Reef, faces rising threats like overfishing, air pollution, coastal improvement, and, most significantly local weather change.
3. It’s Residence to the Nice Blue Gap
Among the many many awe-inspiring formations that may be discovered inside the Mesoamerican Reef System is the Nice Blue Gap in Belize. Discovered contained in the Lighthouse Reef Atoll (one in every of 4 atolls within the Western Hemisphere), the Blue Gap has been charming vacationers ever since Jacques Cousteau dubbed it one of many world’s biggest dive websites (and certain even lengthy earlier than). Discover it from beneath with dive masks and tank, or witness it from above on a flyover tour. Regardless, this big marine sinkhole is certain to impress.
The place to Go for Diving and Snorkeling the Mesoamerican Reef
Dive the Belize Barrier Reef for memorable adventures. Photograph by the Belize Tourism Board
The Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, part of the Mesoamerican Reef, is a UNESCO World Heritage Website. Making up 190 miles of the MAR’s greater than 600 miles, it’s a favourite of thalassophiles for its wealthy biodiversity and distinctive underwater experiences. In reality, of the a whole lot of hundreds of vacationers that go to Belize yearly, greater than half of them achieve this with experiencing the Belize Barrier Reef in thoughts.
Go to one of many nation’s three coral atolls for scuba diving like by no means earlier than. Go all out and discover the Nice Barrier Reef like Cousteau as soon as did. Or, don your fins and snorkel masks and witness the fantastic thing about Belize’s blue world by one in every of its many marine reserves.
