The Terrace - Lighthouse Reef

The Terrace, over in Lighthouse Reef, gives you a nice introduction to Belizean wall diving without pushing too deep. We usually drop onto a broad shelf around 35 to 40 feet, which then spills over into a sheer drop. It's not the most dramatic wall you'll ever see, but it’s loaded with barrel sponges and tube sponges, some of them absolutely massive, along with a decent scattering of black coral and gorgonian fans. Keep an eye out for the schooling creole wrasse – sometimes they’re so thick they almost obscure the wall itself. If you're lucky, you might even spot a white-spotted toadfish tucked away, doing its best to be invisible.

Location
Lighthouse Reef, Belize, Central America
Coordinates
17.310000, -87.800000
Maximum Depth
35-40 feet

Marine Protected Area: Zone 2

Best Time to Dive in Lighthouse Reef

The warmest water temperatures in Lighthouse Reef occur in September, averaging 30.0°C. The coolest conditions are in February at 27.1°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 27.2°C
  • February: 27.1°C
  • March: 27.2°C
  • April: 27.8°C
  • May: 28.6°C
  • June: 29.2°C
  • July: 29.3°C
  • August: 29.7°C
  • September: 30.0°C
  • October: 29.9°C
  • November: 28.9°C
  • December: 28.0°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Lighthouse Reef

Nearest Dive Centres to The Terrace

Marine Life in Lighthouse Reef

Home to 216 recorded species including 175 reef fish, 20 hard corals, 9 other, 6 sharks & rays, 2 jellyfish, 2 sea urchins.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for The Terrace

Based on average water temperature of 28.6°C, currents 22 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 29°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories