There may be more than 360 species of sharks in the oceans of the world, and Belize’s pristine waters are home to a few of these great creatures. Among the sharks commonly seen scuba diving in Belize you can find the hammerhead shark, blacktip shark, bull shark, lemon shark, nurse shark, reef shark, tiger shark and the migratory whale shark.
Perhaps the most famous shark of Belize is the whale shark (Rhincodon types). Known as the largest fish in the world, this shark can reach the length of 45 feet with a mouth opening four feet wide. The whale shark has no teeth and feeds only on plankton. In Belize, you can dive or snorkel with whale sharks from March through June.
In Belize the whale shark receives special treatment, with strong regulation in place, to prevent harmful human interaction. No one is allowed to touch the sharks, and there is a maximum number of boats and divers each hour to prevent overcrowding.
Whale Sharks, despite its enormous size, do not pose any significant danger to humans. They are actually quite gentle and can be playful with divers. Divers and snorkelers can swim with this giant fish without any risk.