Belize has a variety of reef ecosystems off it’s shores, the largest of which is the Belize Barrier Reef, the earths second largest barrier reef system. The variety of reef and lagoon environment makes Belize home to a huge diversity of coral and marine life, with an estimated 300 different species of fish and 65 types of coral, with new smaller species and molluscs being discovered each year. Reefs also attract other marine animals, like turtles, manatees and seabirds. Coral thrives here getting plenty of sunshine and fed from the multiple tributaries and currents that fill the waters with nutrients. On your way into Belize by air you can see the surf break against the thin yellow line of reef from the Yucatan Peninsula to Sapodilla Cayes, running almost the entire length of the island. Inside the barrier the water is shallow and looks bright azure from the air, while on the far side of the reef the water is deeper and darker blue. The reef’s corals come in a variety of shades and shapes, ranging from the delicate almost veinlike to the solid lumps and from greens to reds to yellows to browns. In the evenings there is more action amongst the coral as the polyps feed, poking their soft parts out of their calcium carbonate shells. Without the reef the sandy beaches of Belize would be eroded away in no time and the whole ecosystem is intertwined precariously with mangroves, sea fields and coastline. Even the health of the coral itself is held in a precarious balance. Enjoy the spectacular show the reef and it’s inhabitants put on but be careful not to cause damage, some sections of the reef have already been damaged or bleached.

Written by  Becky White.

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