Glovers Reef
Image generated by artificial intelligence
Why dive in Glovers Reef?
BEST SEASON
Featured Animals 10
- Unlikely
- Likely
- Very likely
Nocturnal Frequent sightingsCaribbean Reef Shark
Carcharhinus perezi
The Caribbean Reef Shark is a robust, streamlined requiem shark commonly found in tropical waters of the western Atlantic Ocean, particularly around coral reefs. It is an apex predator, primarily feeding on bony fishes, cephalopods, and crustaceans. Known for its unique ability to rest motionless on the seabed or inside caves, this species typically reaches lengths of 2-2.5 meters and can weigh up to 70 kg.
BEST SEASON
Nocturnal Frequent sightingsCaribbean Spiny Lobster
Panulirus argus
The Caribbean Spiny Lobster is characterized by its long, spiny antennae and lack of large claws. It has a strong presence in the coastal zones and coral reefs of the Caribbean and is known for its group aggregative behavior, especially during reproduction.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Frequent sightingsGreat Barracuda
Sphyraena barracuda
The Great Barracuda is a large predatory fish known for its fearsome appearance and speed. It has an elongated body, pointed head, and large teeth, making it a proficient hunter in coastal and open waters.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Frequent sightingsGreen Sea Turtle
Chelonia mydas
The green sea turtle is a large marine reptile distinguished by its heart-shaped carapace and a single pair of prefrontal scales.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Frequent sightingsHawksbill Sea Turtle
Eretmochelys imbricata
The Hawksbill Sea Turtle is a medium-sized marine turtle recognizable by its distinctive hawk-like beak and overlapping scutes, which create a serrated edge on its carapace. Primarily found in tropical coral reefs, it plays a crucial role in these ecosystems by feeding mainly on sponges, which are toxic to most other animals. This species is critically endangered due to historical exploitation for its beautiful shell and ongoing threats like habitat loss and bycatch.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Frequent sightingsLemon Shark
Negaprion brevirostris
The Lemon Shark is known for its yellow-brown coloration and blunt snout, which helps it camouflage in sandy coastal waters. It is a diurnal predator that often forms small groups, primarily hunting fish and crustaceans in shallow reefs and lagoons.
BEST SEASON
Nocturnal Frequent sightingsNurse Shark
Ginglymostoma cirratum
The Nurse Shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) is a slow-moving, bottom-dwelling shark typically found in tropical and subtropical coastal waters, including coral reefs and mangrove channels. It is a nocturnal carnivore, primarily feeding on crustaceans, mollusks, and small fish using a powerful suction-feeding mechanism. During the day, they are often observed resting in large aggregations, sometimes piled together in caves or under ledges.
BEST SEASON
Cathemeral Scalloped Hammerhead Shark
Sphyrna lewini
The Scalloped Hammerhead Shark is a large, migratory shark easily recognized by the central indentation on its hammer-shaped head. These sharks are found globally in warm temperate and tropical coastal and oceanic waters, often forming large schools around seamounts and islands. They are primarily nocturnal foragers, feeding on a diverse diet of bony fishes, cephalopods, crustaceans, and smaller sharks and rays.
BEST SEASON
Crepuscular Frequent sightingsSouthern Stingray
Hypanus americanus
The Southern Stingray is a graceful, diamond-shaped ray known for its broad, flat body and pointed pectoral fins. It can be found over sandy or muddy seabeds in warm, shallow waters of the western Atlantic Ocean.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Frequent sightingsSpotted Eagle Ray
Aetobatus narinari
The Spotted Eagle Ray is known for its distinctive spots and elongated snout, which resembles a bird-like beak. It thrives in tropical waters, especially around coral reefs and coastal zones. The ray is a powerful swimmer and can often be seen leaping out of the water.
BEST SEASON
More marine life 32
BarracudaSphyraena spp.
Black DurgonMelichthys niger
Blacktip SharkCarcharhinus limbatus
Bull SharkCarcharhinus leucas
Caribbean Reef OctopusOctopus briareus
Common Bottlenose DolphinTursiops truncatus
Dusky SharkCarcharhinus obscurus
Garden EelHeterocongrinae
Giant Oceanic Manta RayMobula birostris
GlasseyeHeteropriacanthus cruentatus
Great Hammerhead SharkSphyrna mokarran
Greater AmberjackSeriola dumerili
Green Moray EelGymnothorax funebris
Humpback WhaleMegaptera novaeangliae
LionfishPterois spp.
Loggerhead Sea TurtleCaretta caretta
Midnight ParrotfishScarus coelestinus
Princess ParrotfishScarus taeniopterus
Queen AngelfishHolacanthus ciliaris
Queen ParrotfishScarus vetula
Rainbow RunnerElagatis bipinnulata
Sergeant MajorAbudefduf saxatilis
Silky SharkCarcharhinus falciformis
Smooth Butterfly RayGymnura micrura
Spiny Butterfly RayGymnura altavela
Spot-fin PorcupinefishDiodon hystrix
Stoplight ParrotfishSparisoma viride
Tiger SharkGaleocerdo cuvier
West Indian ManateeTrichechus manatus
Whale SharkRhincodon typus
Yellow StingrayUrobatis jamaicensis
Yellowfin TunaThunnus albacares
Where is Glovers Reef
Caribbean Sea · Belize
Frequently asked questions about Glovers Reef
When is the best time to dive in Glovers Reef?
The best time to dive in Glovers Reef is from November to June. In those months the water is between 26°C and 30°C.
What marine life can you see diving in Glovers Reef?
Divers can encounter 42 species in Glovers Reef. Highlights include Caribbean Reef Shark, Caribbean Spiny Lobster, Great Barracuda, Green Sea Turtle, Hawksbill Sea Turtle, and Lemon Shark.
When can you see the Lemon Shark in Glovers Reef?
The Lemon Shark is most often seen in Glovers Reef from March to October.
When can you see the Caribbean Reef Shark in Glovers Reef?
The Caribbean Reef Shark can be seen in Glovers Reef all year round.
When can you see the Caribbean Spiny Lobster in Glovers Reef?
The Caribbean Spiny Lobster can be seen in Glovers Reef all year round.
What is the water temperature in Glovers Reef?
Water temperature in Glovers Reef ranges from 26°C in January to 30°C in June.
What wetsuit do I need to dive in Glovers Reef?
Most divers wear a 3 mm wetsuit in January, when the water drops to 26°C, and a rash guard or a 1–3 mm shorty in June, when it reaches 30°C.
What is the visibility like when diving in Glovers Reef?
Visibility in Glovers Reef ranges from 20 m to 30 m.
What are the currents like in Glovers Reef?
Divers in Glovers Reef can expect light or moderate currents, depending on the month and the dive site.
What can you see on a night dive in Glovers Reef?
After dark, Glovers Reef reveals nocturnal species such as Caribbean Reef Shark, Caribbean Spiny Lobster, Nurse Shark, Caribbean Reef Octopus, Glasseye, and Green Moray Eel.
Where is Glovers Reef located?
Glovers Reef is a dive destination in Belize, in the Caribbean Sea.
Every answer is built from the conditions and sightings data we keep for Glovers Reef. Spotted something that looks off?
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