Half Moon and Long Cayes, Lighthouse Reef, Belize
The sun rose over one of the nicest stops on this itinerary, Lighthouse Reef. This coral atoll located outside the barrier reef of Belize offers something for everyone. Activities ranged from a power nap or reading a book in a comfortable chair on the beach to SCUBA diving at two of the best sites in the western Caribbean.
Guests took Zodiacs to one end of the island in the morning and the other end in the afternoon for “beaching,” snorkeling and birding. Those choosing the latter activity had their choice of red-footed boobies or magnificent frigatebirds. Personally I cannot understand why one would choose to watch a kleptoparasite like the frigatebirds stealing nesting materials from the poor boobies. In all fairness, the “landlubbers” also saw osprey sitting atop a tower with fresh “catch of the day.”
Those using snorkeling masks instead of binoculars were treated to dozens and dozens of species of colorful reef fish… truly more representative of the species diversity in the tropics! The snorkelers also enjoyed the many lobsters and a harmless nurse shark or two in the shallows while the divers did a drift dive along the Half Moon Caye wall which drops down to a mere 4,000-6,000 feet, slightly below our maximum SCUBA depth.
Following lunch, representatives of the Belize Audubon Society explained the research activities being undertaken to protect and conserve the marine and terrestrial ecosystems on this special reef. This provided good background for a return to shore.
In the afternoon the SCUBA divers visited a wonderfully diverse dive site known as The Aquarium. This was certainly a dive to remember. A spotted eagle ray “flew” by us underwater with a grace few birds could equal. Following shortly behind was a 2-3 foot hawksbill turtle that passed right by us as we watched with open mouth (and dangling regulators). Several “cleaning stations” were noted with as many as a dozen species lined up to have parasites removed by the many small wrasses. Two unusual cowfish were observed near one of the stations. Larger male Creole wrasses were patrolling their territories and accompanying their “sweeties” on the upper reef.
After dinner and the gift shop, many guests retired to catch some sleep after this event-filled day. Tomorrow we arise early for the Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Preserve and the wonders it has to offer.
The sun rose over one of the nicest stops on this itinerary, Lighthouse Reef. This coral atoll located outside the barrier reef of Belize offers something for everyone. Activities ranged from a power nap or reading a book in a comfortable chair on the beach to SCUBA diving at two of the best sites in the western Caribbean.
Guests took Zodiacs to one end of the island in the morning and the other end in the afternoon for “beaching,” snorkeling and birding. Those choosing the latter activity had their choice of red-footed boobies or magnificent frigatebirds. Personally I cannot understand why one would choose to watch a kleptoparasite like the frigatebirds stealing nesting materials from the poor boobies. In all fairness, the “landlubbers” also saw osprey sitting atop a tower with fresh “catch of the day.”
Those using snorkeling masks instead of binoculars were treated to dozens and dozens of species of colorful reef fish… truly more representative of the species diversity in the tropics! The snorkelers also enjoyed the many lobsters and a harmless nurse shark or two in the shallows while the divers did a drift dive along the Half Moon Caye wall which drops down to a mere 4,000-6,000 feet, slightly below our maximum SCUBA depth.
Following lunch, representatives of the Belize Audubon Society explained the research activities being undertaken to protect and conserve the marine and terrestrial ecosystems on this special reef. This provided good background for a return to shore.
In the afternoon the SCUBA divers visited a wonderfully diverse dive site known as The Aquarium. This was certainly a dive to remember. A spotted eagle ray “flew” by us underwater with a grace few birds could equal. Following shortly behind was a 2-3 foot hawksbill turtle that passed right by us as we watched with open mouth (and dangling regulators). Several “cleaning stations” were noted with as many as a dozen species lined up to have parasites removed by the many small wrasses. Two unusual cowfish were observed near one of the stations. Larger male Creole wrasses were patrolling their territories and accompanying their “sweeties” on the upper reef.
After dinner and the gift shop, many guests retired to catch some sleep after this event-filled day. Tomorrow we arise early for the Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Preserve and the wonders it has to offer.
