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Whale Sharks
The Gathering at Gladden Spit.
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Gladen Spit
Gladden Spit Entrance, just inside Queen Caye.
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YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Help maintain the pristine beauty of Belize's coastal waters
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Laughing Bird Caye National Park
Laughing Bird Caye National Park is one of the gems in a string of pearls that is the Belize Barrier Reef World Heritage Site.
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Research
Coral reefs are the most biologically diverse and productive ecosystems in the world.
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Celebrating Another Earthday Event 2011
beach and community clean-up campaign in Punta Gorda Town
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Photo Credit: S.E.A Belize
Tackeling the Lionfish problem in Belize

Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve


Sapodillio Cayes FishPhoto © Shalini Cawich
Sapodillio Caye - RayPhoto © Shalini Cawich

Belize has an extensive barrier reef system extending for some 250 km along the entire coastline. The boundary for the Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve encompasses the southernmost section of the barrier reef. At this southern terminus the reef makes a J-shaped hook which is what makes up the Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve. The eastern and western boundaries of the reserve follow the 100 meter depth contours along the reef. The reserve covers an approximate area of 119 km2 and includes twelve sand or mangrove cayes; namely, Northeast Sapodilla Caye, Frank's Cayes main, east and west, Nicholas Caye, Hunting Caye, Lime Caye, Ragged Caye, Seal Cayes I and II, and two unnamed sand cayes or ephemeral islands that are unvegetated and often overtopped by swash.


There are four different zones in place at the SCMR. They include: preservation zone, conservation zone, general use zone and special management areas. Each of these zones has different rules and regulations.



The main focus of the reserve is the Sapodilla Cayes, considered by many to be the most beautiful range of cayes found in Belizean waters. These cayes, together with Seal Cayes, make up approximately 1.6% of the reserve and cover an approximate area of 17.67 hectares. The remaining 98% of the reserve consist mainly of submerged sand in shallow water of 3- 10 meters; a carbonate pavement on the leeside of the reef crest; the reef crest; Montastrea Reef that dominate the coral component of the Sapodilla Cayes region; and shallow reef which consists of shallow patches of reefs and/or sea grass beds.


The Sapodilla Cayes area has long been used by Guatemalans, Hondurans and to a lesser extent by Belizeans for swimming, snorkeling, diving and fishing. Despite their remoteness, these cayes are easily accessible by sea. Tourists visiting the area come mainly from Guatemala and Honduras by tour boats and private yachts, and usually camp in the area for several days at a time. Visitations are year-round with peak use in April, August, and October. The reserve is also frequently visited by Belizean and non-Belizean fishermen.