Shark
Caribbean reef shark
Carcharhinus perezi
The most commonly encountered reef shark on Belize's walls, a stocky requiem shark that cruises the drop-offs and rests on sandy bottoms. Seen on the Lighthouse Reef walls and among the sharks that patrol the depths of the Blue Hole.
- Max size
- Up to ~3m
- Habitat
- Coral reefs and drop-offs
Best places to dive with Caribbean reef shark
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | commonly seen |
| February | commonly seen |
| March | commonly seen |
| April | commonly seen |
| May | commonly seen |
| June | commonly seen |
| July | commonly seen |
| August | commonly seen |
| September | commonly seen |
| October | commonly seen |
| November | commonly seen |
| December | commonly seen |
Resident on the atoll's reefs year-round; no seasonal peak. IUCN reassessed the species as Endangered in 2020, with steep declines documented off Belize and Cuba.
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | commonly seen |
| February | commonly seen |
| March | commonly seen |
| April | commonly seen |
| May | commonly seen |
| June | commonly seen |
| July | commonly seen |
| August | commonly seen |
| September | commonly seen |
| October | commonly seen |
| November | commonly seen |
| December | commonly seen |
Reliable year-round at the bait sites; operator counts of 20 or more on a dive are commonly reported. Numbers reflect the baited setup rather than natural density on open sand.
Sources & last checked
Checked July 2026
This is a researched draft, not yet human-verified. The seasonality and logistics are drawn from the sources below — confirm specifics (permits, fees, closures) with an operator before you book.
- Caribbean reef shark — Wikipedia
- Lighthouse Reef Atoll Diving — Dive The World