A destination with a pleasant combination of luxury and quaint old-world charm, the picturesque village of Placencia has become one of the most popular tourist locations in Belize. Located on the southern end of the Placencia Peninsula, Placencia Village is well-known for its pristine beaches, luxury resorts, and laid-back ambiance. It is also in close proximity to many natural and archeological attractions such as the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, Monkey River, and both the Nim Li Punit and Lubaantun Maya archaeological sites. While all this makes for an unforgettable experience, one of Placencia's best selling points for many is its unmatched diving and snorkeling attractions.
What Makes Placencia the Best
Located just 40 minutes away from the Belize Barrier Reef, the largest unbroken barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere and the second-largest in the world, Placencia Village is in close proximity to some of the best diving sites in the entire country. These sites include Laughing Bird Caye, Silk Cayes, Glover's Reef Atoll, and South Water Caye, to name a few.
From Snorkeling to Deep Sea Diving: Something for Everyone
Among these sites, all divers along the spectrum from beginner to advanced can find something that suits their diving needs and skills. Laughing Bird Caye, for instance, features a wall with a 60-feet drop, making it suitable for beginner divers. Here divers can expect to see a wide array of marine wildlife, including eagle rays, lobsters, turtles, and even goliath groupers on a lucky day. Laughing Bird Caye is also ideal for snorkeling, a family-friendly alternative to deep diving. At the other end of the spectrum is Pompion Caye, which features a drop that starts at 45 feet and plummets into the blue abyss. In these waters, divers can look out for Caribbean reef sharks, lobsters, Moray eels, and hawksbill turtles.
Extraordinary Whale Shark Experiences
Here at Itz'ana, we offer several tours for water lovers and thrill-seekers. Visiting in the Spring? Join us as we go whale shark diving and snorkeling. Weighing up to 15 tons and measuring over 50 feet long, these majestic creatures pass through Belizean waters on their migratory path during the months of April through June. With their unique feeding patterns, whale sharks rise to the surface at certain periods following a lunar cycle. This is much to the good fortune of divers who can mingle with these majestic giants at depths of 60 feet or less, and snorkelers who have a good chance of spotting them from the surface of the water.
Discover the Legendary Belize Barrier Reef
Five miles away from South Water Caye, the Grand Channel is located in a pristine section of the Belize Barrier Reef that features a wall dive interspersed with spur and groove formations. Here, divers will see a vast array of marine wildlife including Moray eels, sea turtles, barracudas, stingrays, and the occasional hammerhead sharks along with goliath groupers, and dolphins. If you love diving and fascinating sea creatures, this is the adventure for you.
Sailing and Snorkeling
If you prefer an easier, family-friendly alternative to deep diving, you can join us on a 40-foot Catamaran to set sail for the crystalline waters of Belize's Southern Marin Reserve. Here, you can snorkel with barracudas, stingrays, turtles, and other captivating sea creatures or you can stay aboard and admire the magnificent beauty of Belize's Barrier Reef and its teeming subaquatic life. Whatever your preferences are, Itz'ana and Placencia are the right options for you.