Half Moon Caye Wall

Half Moon Caye Wall is a dramatic reef wall dive located approximately 6 miles south of the Great Blue Hole at Lighthouse Reef Atoll, Belize, adjacent to the Half Moon Caye National Monument — a protected area managed by the Belize Audubon Society and designated a World Heritage Monument. The site runs along a mile to a mile and a half section of reef wall, starting at around 10 metres depth, with the top edge of the reef averaging between 10–12 metres and a maximum dive depth of around 18 metres. The structure is defined by a towering ridge of reef cut through with crevasses that plunge 45 metres deep in places, while the outer edge of the wall drops straight down to depths exceeding 900 metres.

The reef is decorated with growths of mountainous star coral, numerous varieties of large sponges, and extensive soft coral growth. On the inside of the reef, a vertical drop leads to white sand strewn with garden eels, red hermit crabs, peacock flounders, blue parrotfish, barracuda, and southern rays. Swimming through the cuts in the wall from inside to outside offers encounters with tarpon, eagle rays, turtles, Caribbean reef sharks, spotted eagle rays, midnight parrotfish, grouper, and occasionally a solitary manta ray.

This is a boat dive, reached on a full-day trip that typically departs very early in the morning and also includes stops at the Great Blue Hole and Long Caye Wall. A multi-level dive profile is used with around 45 minutes of bottom time. Park entry fees are payable in cash on arrival at Half Moon Caye. The site is rated suitable for beginners, with great visibility and clear water from the top of the reef.