Glover’s Reef

Glover’s Reef, the southernmost of Belize’s three coral atolls, lies around 40km off the coast from Hopkins. Roughly oval in shape, it stretches 35km north to south, with a number of cayes in its southeastern section. Famous for its wall diving, which is thought to be among the best in the world, the atoll also hosts a stunning lagoon, which offers spectacular snorkelling and diving, as well as a staggering diversity of wildlife. The entire atoll is a marine reserve (Bz$20 entry fee, usually payable to your accommodation or tour guide), with a research station on Middle Caye.

Activities include sailing, sea kayaking, fishing, snorkelling and diving (including dive training), which is spectacular, thanks to a huge underwater cliff and some tremendous wall-diving. Glover’s is, meanwhile, something of an anomaly among the remote atolls: it offers accommodation within the reach of budget travellers.