Long Caye, Lighthouse Reef Atoll, Belize

The Aquarium

The Aquarium sits on the western side of Long Caye in Lighthouse Reef Atoll and earns its name from the unusual density and variety of reef fish that hover over its coral heads. The site is built on a series of spur-and-groove coral fingers separated by white sand channels, starting at 5 metres on top of the reef and sloping to about 30 metres at the wall edge. Healthy stands of elkhorn and staghorn coral, large brain corals, and bright orange elephant-ear sponges dominate the structure. Schools of yellowtail snapper, blue chromis, French and queen angelfish, stoplight parrotfish and sergeant majors turn the dive into a swim through a natural saltwater aquarium. Spotted moray eels, southern stingrays and nurse sharks rest in the sand channels, and reef sharks occasionally come up from deeper water. Currents are very mild and visibility usually exceeds 25 metres, making the Aquarium one of the easier dives on the Lighthouse Reef itinerary and a frequent choice for the second tank of the day after the Blue Hole. Suitable for divers from open water level upward.