Ambergris Caye, Belize is the largest island in the country. It is 40km long by 1.6km at its widest point. The island consists of white sand beach with a mangrove swamp in the center. Belize is located on the northeast coast of Central America on the Caribbean Sea. It is the only Central American country where English is the official language. Mayan peoples occupied the area now known as Belize when the Spanish arrived in the 16th century.<\/p>\n
Ambergris Caye is part of the 900 km long Mesoamerican Reef, which stretches from the tip of the Yucatan Peninsula to the Honduran Bay Islands. It is one of the largest coral reef systems in the world after the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the New Caledonia Barrier Reef in the South Pacific. The reef contains 70 species of hard coral, 36 species of soft coral and over 500 different species of fish. It is estimated that only 10% of all species have been discovered. Along the shores, mangroves provide habitat for fish and shorebirds as well as protect coastal areas from the damage associated with hurricanes and strong storms.<\/p>\n
In 1996 the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System was designated a World Heritage Site due to its vulnerability and the fact that it contains the most important and significant natural habitats for conservation of biological diversity. Despite these protective measures, the reef is under threat from oceanic pollution as well as uncontrolled tourism, shipping, and fishing. The main threats are considered to be hurricanes along with global warming and the resulting increase in ocean temperatures which cause coral bleaching.
\nCharles Darwin described it as “the most remarkable reef in the West Indies” in 1842.<\/p>\n
Are you looking for a unique, breathtaking and unforgettable scuba diving experience? Mayan Princess Hotel will help you book your Belize scuba diving adventure. Enjoy some of the world\u2019s best scuba diving through a variety of dive package available to our guests. See our section of Dive Packages for more information.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Location About Ambergris Caye Ambergris Caye, Belize is the largest island in the country. It is 40km long by 1.6km at its widest point. The island consists of white sand beach with a mangrove swamp in the center. Belize is located on the northeast coast of Central America on the Caribbean Sea. It is the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":48,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"yoast_head":"\n