December 8, 2015
text_Wei photo_ Li Wenqin
Swim with turtles and sharks in the famous Marine Ecological Reserve of Belis, dive to explore the topographical wonders and underwater coral reef gardens of the World Natural Heritage Great Blue Cave. Enjoy water activities in the blue and blue seas of Belis and embrace the most beautiful ocean scenery of the Caribbean Sea.
Those who love marine water sports will not miss Belis. Nestled in the southeastern corner of the Judean Peninsula in Central America, surrounded by the Western Caribbean Sea, Beris occupies an excellent location, with the natural beauty of blue seas and blue skies, alpine rainforests. Its coastal coral barrier reef is the second largest in the world, one of the seven marine wonders of the world, and is home to three atolls, the Great Blue Cave, and the Marine Ecological Reserve, which are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The pristine and pure marine ecology, spectacular natural terrain and warm and stable climate have become the favorite winter resorts of Europeans and Americans, and a pilgrimage place for those who love marine water sports.
Snorkel in small straits and swim with turtles
Explore the beauty of The Belis Reef as the first step begins with snorkeling. The most famous snorkeling spot in Belis is the "Hol Chan Marine Reserve" located at the southern tip of Ambergris Caye. The Mayan word Hol Chan, which means "small strait", is named after a natural fissure (Hol Chan Cut) at the edge of the coral barrier reef, which resembles a small submarine canyon that has nurtured a rich and diverse marine ecology, which was officially listed as a marine ecological reserve in 1987.
The Hol Chan Marine Ecological Reserve is divided into four ABCD zones, Zone A is where the small strait is located, and Area D to the south is only incorporated into Hol Chan's "Shark Ray Alley" in 1999.
Since the capital of Ambergris Island, San Pedro, took a diving boat out to sea, and soon arrived at the small strait by sea breeze, three or four diving boats have been moored, and groups of snorkelers have swung into a lively calm sea. On this day of snorkeling, the weather is clear, the blue sky reflects the crystal clear water, and on the edge of the turquoise-colored lagoon, the snow white waves divide the depth of the sea like piping.
Put on your diving mirrors and fins and jump into the turquoise coolness of the blazing sun. Biting the snorkel into the sea, the colorful underwater world suddenly unfolds in front of you - the white sand seabed is densely covered with seagrass, brain coral, staghorn coral, finger coral and other colors are dotted among them; the horse-eyed trevally with twisted yellow-tailed fins swirls around in groups, the large groupers move awkwardly, the American stingrays lurking on the seabed raise a piece of sea sand; the green turtle dances its fins like a flying bird, nibbling on the seaweed as if no one is around, and occasionally surfs the sea surface to probe for ventilation. The instructor points out the fish on the cruise and picks up sea urchins, starfish and conch from the bottom of the sea, explaining in detail the marine ecology of Hol Chan, where about 160 species of fish, 40 species of coral, 3 species of turtles and 3 species of marine mammals inhabit, in addition to the colorful tropical fish, if you are lucky, you can also see dolphins and manatees.
After snorkeling in the small strait, we will turn to the next popular snorkeling spot, Shark Ray Alley, one of the seven dive sites for "animal diving" in the Caribbean. Once upon a time, local fishermen used to clear their catches here, attracting flocks of nurse sharks and American stingrays, which later became a famous dive site. The nurse shark is small, flat-headed, small-eyed, very docile and friendly, and loves to interact with divers. The American stingray likes to swim around people, like a cat whirling at its feet. Feeding nurse sharks with prepared fish and waving their wings in their hands is a snorkeling experience full of natural vitality.
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(Source: Traveler Luxe, December 2015)
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