First, the MesoAmerican reef photos.
Then, the cold hard facts.
If you live on this planet, you’ve heard of the Great Barrier Reef, and probably know it’s located off the coast of Australia.
You might even know it’s the largest barrier reef in the world (hence, its name).
But what about the SECOND biggest barrier reef in the world?
If you’re an American, it’s a lot closer to home, but somehow — much less well known.
The MesoAmerican Reef needs to seriously step up it’s PR, but I’m here to help in the meantime.
This gorgeous reef, which hosted all of the photos and experienced depicted above, is located within the Caribbean Sea. It lies off the coasts of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras, and is almost 700 miles long.
The MesoAmerican reef follows the entire coastline of Belize, in an area known pretty self-explanatorily as the Belize Barrier Reef, which comprises 80% of the entire MesoAmerican reef. The Belize Barrier Reef is SO awesome (as if my photos above aren’t evidence enough), it’s even been recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Unfortunately, the government of Belize doesn’t really think so.
Belize has NOT enacted sufficient protection for the Belize Barrier reef, leaving it vulnerable to the dangers of offshore oil drilling and coastal construction.
NOT COOL.
You can take action and urge Prime Minister Barrow of Belize to behave in an ethical and environmentally conscious manner by signing your information to a prewritten letter by the World Wildlife Foundation, it doesn’t get any easier than that! Learn more about the lack of protection for Belize’s reef here
The MesoAmerican Reef (also called the Great Maya Reef, or the Great Mayan Reef) is also facing the threatening impacts of overfishing (especially against the spiny lobster), agricultural runoff, climate change, and irresponsible tourism.
How to Snorkel the MesoAmerican Reef and NOT Be a Jerk
When you choose to visit the MesoAmerican reef, you can keep in mind a few key points to do your part in protecting this incredible natural ecosystem the Americas have been blessed with.
Choose natural sunscreen
Regular sunscreen
To be honest, you should really be going with natural sunscreen
If you’re worried natural sunscreen isn’t effective, you’re wrong. Seriously. But if you can’t get over your fear that natural isn’t as good as chemical, you can also use a sunshirt
Don’t wear any bugspray (or any other non-natural cream, spray, or lotion)
This should be a no-brainer but apparently its not.
The same chemicals that keep bugs away can damage the ecosystem of the MesoAmerican reef. You’re in the water, you don’t need it anyway.
Please also avoid putting on any unnatural creams, sprays, or lotions (this includes makeup foundation), as it will come off in the water.
Don’t step on coral
Coral is super sensitive, and the last thing it needs is your big ol’ foot stomping on it.
It’s unnecessary. Avoid shallow areas.
Use natural antifog
Don’t use antifog on your mask exterior in the first place (it’ll just wash away), but also don’t use artificial, chemical-filled antifog solution on the interior of your mask and then rinse it out in the ocean water.
If you NEED to apply something with chemicals to the interior of your mask and then rinse it, do so with water that you keep in the boat and dispose of properly.
Avoid pointing your fins near the sandy bottom or coral and kicking
You want to remain horizontal as much as possible with your fins away from the bottom and especially from coral.
Fins stir up a lot of water and sediment (think about how much easier it is to swim with them and this will make sense).
Don’t throw trash in the ocean
Like, duh.
Don’t get too close to wildlife
Have respect.
Choose ethical tour providers
Don’t work with tour providers that try to save some money and skirt around the rules. Especially in Belize (and anywhere else that you’ll be entering a protected area), be sure that your tour operator has paid for any appropriate or relevant park fees.
Use a local naturalist guide
Using a local naturalist guide gives money to the local economy while also providing other economic opportunities for former fishermen.
Plus, it’s a WAY better experience for you!
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Would you ever snorkel the MesoAmerican reef? Have you already?
A short vacation in Thailand turned into a life abroad with a canceled ticket home. Nearly a decade later and after living in Bangkok, Rio de Janeiro, Puebla, and Puerto Vallarta, Steph is on to her next adventure and living back in beautiful, cosmopolitan Mexico City. She is living, traveling, and working (both as an expat therapist and an international health insurance representative) around the world to find the beautiful, inspirational, and interesting while sharing it with you!
