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Sport & Activities
Watersports: Belize ranks among the best scuba diving and snorkelling destinations in the western Caribbean. At a length of 296km (185 miles), Belize’s Barrier Reef is the longest in the Western hemisphere and offers divers a nearly continuous wall of coral (stretching almost 224km (140 miles) from Mexico to the Sapodilla Cayes). The best developed sections of the reef are south of Columbus Reef. Some of the best dive sites include Lighthouse Reef, where divers can explore walls with spectacular drops of thousands of feet; and the Blue Hole (see Resorts & Excursions, National Parks section). Boats to both sites can be hired. Visitors can either arrange diving trips with an offshore resort, sign on with one of the many live-aboard boats or hire a charter boat from one of the many dive resorts along the coast. Visitors should also be aware of the restrictions on the removal of coral, orchids and turtles, and on spearfishing in certain areas. Wrecks and treasures are also government-protected. For further information and a list of dive operators, contact the Belize Tourist Board. Swimming is good off the Cayes and on the southeast coast, where many places have developed as diving and watersport resorts (see Resorts & Excursions section). All kinds of fishing, including game fishing (for snapper, barracuda, marlin and bonito), can be enjoyed all year round. Belize’s 20 river systems and smaller streams are ideal for kayaking and canoeing, and trips (which usually also involve birdwatching or wildlife viewing) can be arranged via local travel agents, operators or hotels.
Other: Birdwatching is popular, with hundreds of bird species can be observed, particularly in the national parks, notably the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary, Silk Grass Greek Road and the Mountain Pine Ridge. Caving and archaeology are also popular pastimes.
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