Belize is a small country in Central America bordering Mexico and Guatemala, but with the second largest reef in the world that stretches nearly 200 miles.  Here's the map.

Boasting the second-longest barrier reef in the world, Belize offers great shore-diving in crystal-clear waters, with nurse shark, stingray and whale shark encounters on the menu.

There are 3 atoll reefs of which, in the Western Hemisphere there are only 4, the other being in Mexico.  The diving is excellent and the main resort is Ambergris Bay. 

Hol Chan was Belize's first marine park and features Shark Ray Alley where you will encounter Sting Rays and Nurse Sharks. 

Whale Sharks can be seen off Gladden Spit in March/April.

All photographs are courtesy of Patrick Kelly Worldwide Photography

Other popular sites are:

• Lighthouse Reef with the famous Blue Hole
• Glovers Reef which is a UNESCO World Heritage site
• Tobacco Cay
• South Water Cay Marine Reserve,
• Laughingbird Cave

• Vacination of Hepatitus A & Typhoid.
• Malaria risk, almost entirely due to P. vivax, exists in all districts by varies within regions.  Risk is highest in the southern region.  No resistant P. falciparum strains reported.  Prevention recommended.  See link below.
• BE AWARE: Lariam (mefloquine) is an anti-malarial drug used in regions of the world where chloroquine resistant falciparum malaria is prevalent. e.g. East Africa, South East Asia.  Possible side effects of lariam such as dizziness, blurred vision and a disturbed sense of balance are common and could cause problems for divers.  These effects can often imitate or even worsen the symptoms of DCI. There could also be confusion between the side effects of lariam and the symptoms of DCI or nitrogen narcosis resulting in a misleading diagnosis.