Half Moon Caye is often remembered as one of the best dives at Lighthouse Reef. The dive typically begins over sand and seagrass, where garden eels disappear into their burrows, before reaching coral formations and the edge of a wall dropping far beyond recreational depth.

Sea fans and sponges add colour to the wall, while snappers, groupers, parrotfish and creole fish move around the reef. Turtles, spotted eagle rays, nurse sharks and Caribbean reef sharks may also be seen. The caye is famous for its red-footed booby colony too, giving some itineraries the chance to combine diving with a short visit ashore.

The upper reef can feel gentle, but the wall makes depth control important. It is easy to become absorbed by the view into the blue, so watch your computer, maintain neutral buoyancy and do not follow wildlife below the planned profile.

Half Moon Caye lies about 55 miles east of Belize City and close to the Great Blue Hole. Day trips are possible, but they involve an early start and a long crossing. A liveaboard stays around Lighthouse Reef, allowing you to reach the site without repeating that mainland journey and to dive several walls and reefs across the atoll. Suitable nearby sites may also be offered as sunset or night dives.

Half Moon Caye Natural Monument forms part of the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System. Access and conditions remain subject to protected-area rules, weather and the captain’s decision.

Liveaboard.com has a dedicated Half Moon Caye diving page, while our Belize liveaboard collection lets you compare the boats visiting Lighthouse Reef.