Halfmoon Caye Natural Monument, Lighthouse Reef, Belize
Just before day brake, lightning flashed along the horizon, but as we continued moving towards our next destination, the sea remained calm, the light rain stopped and the sun broke though the overcast sky. It was going to be a gorgeous day! During the night we had crossed the second largest barrier reef in the world and had brushed by the southern end of Turneffe Islands Atoll. We were now tied to our mooring at the southeast end of Lightouse Reef Atoll and headed ashore to Halfmoon Caye. This caye and the 5 square miles that surround it became known as the Halfmoon Caye Natural Monument and was the first reserve created under the National Parks System Act of 1981. We had a busy morning with walks to the viewing platform to get a closer look at the nesting red-footed booby birds and Magnificent frigatebirds that have made this island their home for many years. Sharing this island with them are several species of reptiles including anole lizards and hawksbill turtles. And rustling amidst the roots and tangle of the numerous gumbo limbo and zericote trees were hundreds of hermit crabs in their various shell houses.
Meanwhile back at the waters edge, some of our guests entered the water to explore the patches of coral located just behind the reef crest. The schools of grunts and snappers huddled together as we swam across the tops of their coral outcroppings. Then add a few nurse sharks, a stingray and a moray eel for good measure.
By afternoon, we had found a new snorkeling site and were back in the water. Some of us had a close encounter with a very curious fish called a remora. This fish is often found in the company of sharks, rays and other fish and attaches itself by applying its suction disk to the surfaces of these animals. It is harmless and thought to attach to moving targets in order to find new locations or possibly to share a bite provided by their host. They are not parasites and so do not harm their host but do enjoy a free ride. We also had a good look at the Queen triggerfish picture here. Once back at the ship, the corals below looked too inviting and so once again, we found ourselves jumping into the water and peering down into a coral garden complete with black durgeons and a huge barracuda! Tonight we would head back to the mainland of Belize with our sights on the Cockscomb Basin.
Just before day brake, lightning flashed along the horizon, but as we continued moving towards our next destination, the sea remained calm, the light rain stopped and the sun broke though the overcast sky. It was going to be a gorgeous day! During the night we had crossed the second largest barrier reef in the world and had brushed by the southern end of Turneffe Islands Atoll. We were now tied to our mooring at the southeast end of Lightouse Reef Atoll and headed ashore to Halfmoon Caye. This caye and the 5 square miles that surround it became known as the Halfmoon Caye Natural Monument and was the first reserve created under the National Parks System Act of 1981. We had a busy morning with walks to the viewing platform to get a closer look at the nesting red-footed booby birds and Magnificent frigatebirds that have made this island their home for many years. Sharing this island with them are several species of reptiles including anole lizards and hawksbill turtles. And rustling amidst the roots and tangle of the numerous gumbo limbo and zericote trees were hundreds of hermit crabs in their various shell houses.
Meanwhile back at the waters edge, some of our guests entered the water to explore the patches of coral located just behind the reef crest. The schools of grunts and snappers huddled together as we swam across the tops of their coral outcroppings. Then add a few nurse sharks, a stingray and a moray eel for good measure.
By afternoon, we had found a new snorkeling site and were back in the water. Some of us had a close encounter with a very curious fish called a remora. This fish is often found in the company of sharks, rays and other fish and attaches itself by applying its suction disk to the surfaces of these animals. It is harmless and thought to attach to moving targets in order to find new locations or possibly to share a bite provided by their host. They are not parasites and so do not harm their host but do enjoy a free ride. We also had a good look at the Queen triggerfish picture here. Once back at the ship, the corals below looked too inviting and so once again, we found ourselves jumping into the water and peering down into a coral garden complete with black durgeons and a huge barracuda! Tonight we would head back to the mainland of Belize with our sights on the Cockscomb Basin.
