Southwest Caye, Glover's Reef Atoll, Belize

Southwest Caye Wall

Southwest Caye Wall is a steep drop-off on the south-western corner of Glover's Reef Atoll, where the lagoon meets deep open water. The site begins on a reef shoulder at about 12 metres and the wall drops vertically past 40 metres into the blue. Massive plate corals, great star coral colonies, deep-water sea fans, large barrel and vase sponges and abundant black coral colonies decorate the wall. The shallow shoulder is a sandy plateau with garden eels, southern stingrays and yellow stingrays. Off the wall divers see eagle rays, Caribbean reef sharks, big horse-eye jacks, mutton and cubera snappers. The site is also well known for the chance of encountering juvenile spotted dolphins and reef squids in the shallows. Visibility is excellent, normally 25 to 40 metres, and currents range from mild to moderate. Recommended for divers with several wall dives in their logbook; commonly part of Glover's liveaboard schedules and weekly trips from Belize City.