Glover’s Reef Atoll has claimed numerous ships over the centuries, leaving behind traces of Belize’s maritime history beneath the water. Rather than expecting one complete wreck sitting upright on the seabed, divers should look for scattered remains gradually becoming part of the surrounding reef.

The real appeal is the combination of history and setting. Coral and marine life have taken over the area, so a dive can include snappers, groupers, angelfish and parrotfish, with turtles, rays and reef sharks sometimes passing through. It is the kind of site where taking your time and looking closely is far more rewarding than racing around in search of a recognisable ship.

Glover’s Reef lies well offshore and is much more remote than the reefs close to Belize City, Ambergris Caye and Placencia. This is where diving by liveaboard makes a real difference. You avoid spending a large part of the day travelling backwards and forwards from the mainland and can instead remain within the atoll, combining the shipwreck remains with Glover Reef and other less frequently visited sites.

The Belize liveaboards visiting Glover’s Reef can also offer several dives during the day and, where the itinerary and conditions allow, night dives elsewhere around the atoll. Remaining offshore after sunset gives you the chance to see a different side of the reef, when lobsters, crabs and other nocturnal creatures leave their hiding places.

Conditions vary according to the exact location. Sheltered parts of the atoll can be relatively gentle, while channels and exposed reef edges may have more current. Good buoyancy is particularly important around anything of archaeological interest: do not touch, disturb or remove wreck material, and always follow the instructions given by the dive guide.

The Belize Aggressor liveaboard itinerary specifically identifies Glover’s Reef and its historic shipwrecks. You can also compare the available Belize diving liveaboards to find an itinerary visiting this remote part of the Belize Barrier Reef.