South Water Caye Marine Reserve is the largest marine reserve in the Stann Creek district of Belize with tons of dive sites. Grand Channel is a very special part of this marine reserve as it features a cut in the Belize Barrier Reef system. As it is visited by fewer divers, expect pristine conditions. The Caye is 27 nautical miles northeast of Placencia.
There are several wall-dive sites at Grand Channel that deserve exploration. The underwater terrain has underwater spur and groove formations, sand channels, and of course, the cut in the barrier reef. This is a great destination to spot formations of eagle rays. You can also expect to encounter southern sting rays, moray eels, and turtles along with nurse sharks and lots of tropical fish swimming in healthy corals.
The dive sites are suitable for divers from beginner to advanced.
Trip Plan
This can be done as either a two-tank boat or a three-tank dive trip. The boat ride takes about 1 hour.
For the two-tank trip, divers need to arrive at our dive center by 08:30 for a 09:00 am departure. An authentic Belizean-style picnic lunch is served during the surface interval. The trip gets back at around 3:30 pm.
For the three-tank trip, divers need to arrive by 06:30 for a 07:00 am departure. Due to the early start, a complimentary continental breakfast is served at our dive center. An authentic Belizean-style picnic lunch is served during the surface interval after the second dive. The trip gets back at around 3:30 pm.
Dive Sites
Grand Channel
Grand Channel is a multilevel dive starting at 60 to 80 feet/ 18 to 24 meters on a straight vertical wall with ridges and gradually working up to 40 feet/ 14 meters. Expect to see healthy colorful corals along with deep sea fans and barrel sponges. Flocks of eagle rays are often seen here along with loads of juvenile reef fish. This is a good spot for lionfish hunting although it may be better to leave that for the next dive which is a bit shallower. Don’t be surprised if you are shadowed by nurse sharks hoping they can grab a lionfish before your dive master puts it in the container. Read our approach and policy on lionfish hunting.
Fourth Cut
Our typical dive profile at Fourth Cut is a 45-minute dive starting at 60 feet/18 meters and gradually progressing along a vertical to the top of the reef. Again, expect healthy colorful corals along with eagle rays, turtles, grouper, jacks, and colorful reef fish.
Third Cut
From about 40 feet/14 meters the wall drops to the blue abyss with lots of ledges to check out during the 45-minute multilevel dive. Check out the hiding sports on the ledges for lionfish, moray eels and spiny lobsters.
