Scuba Diving and Snorkeling

This far south the reef has pretty much broken up, but individual cayes have their own small reef systems. The best of the bunch is at the Sapodilla Cayes with great wall dives. Lime Caye has camping, and Hunting Caye has a lighthouse. The only drawback is that because they're 40 miles (64 km) off the coast, a day's dive trip can be pricey, depending on how many people go. The Snake Cayes, with several notable dive sites, are closer in, about 18 miles (30 km) northeast of Punta Gorda. The four Snakes—East, West, South, and Middle—are so named because of boa constrictors that once lived there.

The turquoise waters lapping up the shores of the usually deserted white-sand beach on Snake Caye are good for snorkeling, as are the Sapodilla Cayes at the southern end of the Belize Barrier Reef.

Garbutt's Marine. All-day diving and snorkeling trips are available to the Snake and Sapodilla cayes as well as to Port Honduras Marine Reserve; overnight stays at Lime Caye is also an option. The three Garbutt's brothers, Scully, Oliver, and Eworth, also do guided fishing trips and have cabins for rent. Joe Taylor Creek, Southern Hwy., Punta Gorda, Toledo. 722/0070; www.garbuttsfishinglodge.com.

Reef Conservation International. Reef Conservation International operates marine conservation trips in the Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve from PG. You can stay at the ReefCI camp based on Tom Owens Caye, in basic accommodations—there's Internet but no hot water. You'll get plenty of snorkeling and diving, but you can also assist marine biologists and other Reef CI staff in monitoring and preserving the reef. One-week dive packages including diving, dive equipment, lodging, and meals start at BZ$2,660 per person, not including air fare to Belize or transfers to southern Belize. Mile 18, Placencia Rd., Stann Creek District, Punta Gorda, Toledo. 626/1429; 800/624–0686; www.reefci.com.