Hopkins Bay Resort, Hopkins, Placencia and Glover's Reef
Beachfront resort in the cultural epicentre of Belize with activities for all, including diving
per person, room only
Overview
- Calm and casual beachfront resort in the cultural town of Hopkins
- Dive Turneffe Atoll, Lighthouse Reef, and Glover’s Reef
- Conveniently located for cultural and nature-based excursions
- Activities for all ages, including watersports and beach games
Hopkins Bay Resort is a beautiful beachfront retreat located within one of Belize’s cultural hotspots. Surrounded by tropical scenery, this charming resort provides a peaceful atmosphere that is suitable for getaways of all kinds, from energetic adventures to care-free family vacations. And, its convenient location places guests between the mighty Mesoamerican Barrier Reef and the biodiverse Belizean jungle, guaranteeing exceptional outdoor adventures. Relax in simple style and enjoy authentic, one-of-a-kind experiences that showcase the very best of Belize - from culinary delights and cultural intrigue to some of the world’s very best scuba diving.
Rooms
- Item 1 of 2
One bedroom
1 x King bed, 1 x sofa bed, sleeps 2
Air conditioning, Ensuite bathroom, Fan...from $99 /night - Item 1 of 2
Two bedroom
1 x King bed, 1 x queen bed, sleeps 4
Air conditioning, Ensuite bathroom, Fan...from $186 /night - Item 1 of 2
Three bedroom
2 x King beds, 1 x queen bed, sleeps 6
Air conditioning, Ensuite bathroom, Fan...from $279 /night
Resort checklist
Meal plans:
- Full Board
Diving in Hopkins, Placencia and Glover's Reef
- SharksYear round
- Eagle rayYear round
- Whale sharkNot frequently
- TurtlesYear round
- Schooling reef fishYear round
- Healthy coralsYear round
- Plentiful reef lifeYear round
Often overshadowed by more famous dive sites further north, the diving in Belize’s south is arguably even more impressive - and often far less crowded. Characterised by plunging walls, and pristine, protected reefs, these beautiful dive destinations are home to all of Belize’s signature marine life, from the grand-slam big three - permits, tarpon and bonefish - to Southern stingrays, eagles rays, nurse sharks and more.
Diving Glover's Reef
Belize’s southernmost atoll, Glover’s Reef, lies some 70-kilometres from the mainland, on the western edge of the Cayman Trough. This atoll is one of the country’s favoured dive spots, featuring an impressive inner lagoon scattered with more than 700 pristine patch reefs, and outer walls that plummet to depths of close to a kilometre. Eagles rays, dolphins, whale sharks and turtles can all be encountered, while tube sponges and swaying gorgonians decorate the reef. At Long Caye Wall, in particular, you can find almost every kind of Caribbean coral and manta rays occasionally glide past high in the water column. The Aquarium is located near Long Caye Wall, on the atolls southeast edge, and offers crystal clear waters with huge schools of creole wrasse and yellowtail snappers as well as horse-eye jack and black durgons as you venture off the wall. Seasonal whale shark sightings are possible between March and June, with April and May delivering the highest chance of an encounter.
Hopkins diving
The South Water Caye Marine Reserve is located less than 20-kilometres east of Hopkins, offering spectacular wall diving with Southern and roughtail stingrays, hawksbill and loggerhead turtles, nurse sharks, and eagle rays. Popular dive sites include Rosella's Garden, Trick Ridge, and The Abyss. In the far northeast corner of the South Water Caye Marine Reserve, just a stone's throw from the tiny Tobacco Caye, lies an interesting dive site known as Shark Pit. Here, hidden amongst the turtle grass bed, is a sinkhole that opens up into a domed chamber some 50-metres across. Sediment trickling into the sinkhole over the years has formed a sandy hill in the centre of the chamber. Lucky divers can often find several species of shark circling the hill, including blacktips, nurse, and even bull sharks.
Scuba diving near Placencia
Lying southeast of Placencia, The Laughing Bird Caye National Park is perfect for new or rusty divers. The island itself is part of an enclosed reef structure which surrounds an inner lagoon, forming a kind of miniature atoll, or faro. The reef slopes down to around 20-metres and is home to some interesting marine life, including eagle rays. Further east, the Gladden Spit and Silk Cayes Marine Reserve offers more seasonal whale shark sightings between March and June, and a spectacular wall dive at North Wall, where you can expect appearances from almost every kind Caribbean reef creature. Cubera snapper also aggregate to spawn at Gladden Spit from March through September. Heading a few miles south, Pompion Caye - or Pumpkin Caye - is well known for pretty lettuce leaf coral formations and a plunging wall where Caribbean reef sharks roam.