Northeast Caye, Glover's Reef Atoll, Belize

Manta Reef

Manta Reef is a coral pinnacle and reef edge dive on the northern flank of Glover's Reef Atoll, between Northeast Caye and the outer wall. The dive is run on a coral plateau and edge between 10 and 25 metres, with the wall continuing into deeper water beyond. The site features tall coral pinnacles rising from the reef floor, surrounded by deep-water sea fans, large barrel sponges and vase sponges. The shallow shoulder is a healthy garden of mountainous star coral, brain coral, sheet coral and small pillar coral colonies. Reef life is abundant: schools of yellowtail snapper, horse-eye jacks, schoolmasters, large midnight parrotfish, queen and French angelfish, queen triggerfish, big black grouper and Nassau grouper. Caribbean reef sharks pass along the wall edge. Hawksbill turtles, southern stingrays and spotted eagle rays are commonly encountered. Manta rays are not actually frequent at the site, despite the name. Currents are usually moderate, visibility 25 to 32 metres.