Top Biodiversity in Cozumel, Utila, Belize or Roatan

[mjgoodman]

Hello,

I have about two weeks in August or Sept (plans not confirmed) to dive in Central America. After diving I will be traveling in the region. Between Yucatan, Utilia, Roatan and Belize, which has the best biodiversity? A live on board is not an option. Thanks.

 

[robint]

Hello,

I have about two weeks in August or Sept (plans not confirmed) to dive in Central America. After diving I will be traveling in the region. Between Yucatan, Utilia, Roatan and Belize, which has the best biodiversity? A live on board is not an option. Thanks.

August-Sept are part of hurricane season, so be prepared for rain and the possibility of bad weather. It will also be the hottest during that time, and the muggiest. Take lots of bug spray.

What types of activities are you looking for?
Belize definitely has all types of outdoor adventures - Mayan Ruins, Cave tubing, River tubing, Cave exploring (look up ATM caves), Jungle tours, rappeling and zip lines....
Maya Archaeological Sites of Belize, Belize History
Belize Outdoor Sports Activities-Belize Attractions at Glover's Reef
http://belizex.com/tunichil_muknal.htm


Roatan, Utila, and Cozumel are pretty limited as they are islands. Yucatan area has the Mayan ruins (see my videos) and cenotes (see my videos), some tubing and zip lines.
Alltournative - Off Track Adventures
Aventuras Mayas - Naturalmente Mexico

just a few samples of websites.
If I were going to one of these places, 1 week of diving and 1 week of topside, I would pick Belize.

robin

 

[mjgoodman]

Thanks.

Which place has the best biodiversity underwater?

 

[robint]

Thanks.

Which place has the best biodiversity underwater?

In that respect I would guess Belize and Roatan. Belize may have more things like sharks and turtles, where Roatan has the best macrolife I have seen in Caribbean arena. So it all depends what you want to see and where exactly you are staying. The reefs on northside of Roatan are different from southside so different critters - staying on northside you will only dive there, staying on southside you will only dive there.
Belize, staying at Ambergris Caye you are probably going to dive there on the reefs most of the time but you can upgrade to the 3-dive trips to more remote areas with more dramatic walls and bigger life.

How many dives per day do you want to do?

 

[mjgoodman]

As many as possible....hahaha. Basically, I'm trying to figure out if Belize is really that much better than Utila or Roatan. I'm thinking of spending a few days on Roatan then moving over the Utila for the whale sharks. How does Roatan compare to Utila? I've heard that Roatan has better marine life.