# data[].attributes.body
Lone male SCUBA diver swimming over coral reef at South Water Caye on the Belize Barrier.

# data[].attributes.body
Dive sites: Great Blue Hole Half Moon Caye Aquarium/Eagle Ray Hol Chan/Shark Ray

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Scuba Diving the Blue Hole and Belize Barrier Reef

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Dive sites: Great Blue Hole Half Moon Caye Aquarium/Eagle Ray Hol Chan/Shark Ray Alley Esmeralda's Canyon Tackle Box Canyons Toffee Canyons Victoria Tunnels Dive shops used (both awesome!!): Belize Pro Dive Center Amigos Del Mar Dive Shop I do not own the songs, all rights go to respectful owners.

# data[].attributes.body
Look at these people exploring the crystal clear waters of the Belize Barrier Reef by kayak

# data[].attributes.body
Beautiful School of creole wrasse

# data[].attributes.body
The Belize barrier reef is the longest reef in the western hemisphere

# data[].attributes.body
Learn how to own your own island that is part of the Belize Barrier Reef!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Ever dream of having a Caribbean island all to yourself? Of escaping to your own tropical paradise with nothing but white sand and aqua-blue water all around you? In Belize, you can live that dream without taking out a second mortgage.

The Belizean coast is lined with hundreds of islands and cayes that form the Belize Barrier Reef, the longest coral reef in the Western Hemisphere. Renting some of these islands is surprisingly within reach, especially if you can gather a group of friends or family members to share costs, and if you consider that prices include food and drinks (you won't find restaurants or grocery stores within walking distance).

The area is well known among scuba divers for its bustling underwater life: There are over 70 types of coral and common sightings include stingrays, turtles, whale sharks, and dolphins. But you don't have to be a diver (or even a snorkeler) to soak up the sun, drink in hand, on one of these islands.

Boho Chic

Through the years, Francis Ford Coppola and his family have created a lifestyle brand that extends beyond cinema to include wine, restaurants, and resorts. Coral Caye (pronounced "key") is one of the latest offerings of the Family Coppola Hideaways Turtle Inn resort in southern Belize.

The island, a 30-minute boat ride from the resort, hosts up to 12 people and comes with two rustic-chic cottages and a "great" house-an eclectically furnished indoor-outdoor, sand-on-the-floor living and dining room with a bar. The rent includes transportation to the island and a friendly staff who keep the island clean and prepare meals of freshly caught fish washed down with-what else?-Coppola wines (the Sofia canned bubblies fit the island vibes perfectly).

For a little more, you can book massages, a private chef for more elaborate meals, or a guided fishing tour. The rent is $1,435 to $2,035 per night based on double occupancy, with $200 per night for each additional guest (children under 12 stay for free).

Luxe

If you're looking for all-inclusive, five-star treatment but don't want to rub shoulders with strangers by the pool or at the beach, Royal Belize may be your best bet. While not exactly cheap (2018 rates are $6,000 per night), the island hosts up to 10 people and comes with private concierge service, a private chef, and all manner of water sports equipment: paddleboards, kayaks, snorkeling gear, water skis, and even a catamaran. There are other services, like massages and a private yacht, that you can book for additional cost.

Royal Belize has three modern villas with bright, beachy decor, plus a grand "palapa" used as the common dining and social space. It's also a five-star PADI dive resort, so it's a great retreat for divers.

Eco-Friendly

Little Harvest Caye is just a five-minute boat ride from the town of Placencia on the southern coast of Belize, which means that if island seclusion starts to wear on you, you can go back to the mainland and catch some nightlife any time you want.

The island has five colorful suites, each with its own thatch-roofed bathroom, and a large common area with a kitchen, bar, and pool. It comes with a 24-hour staff, a boat with captain, and kayaks and paddleboards. Conscious traveler bonus: With a 45,000 watt solar system, state-of-the-art LED lighting throughout, and ceiling fans using the most efficient DC technology, Little Harvest Caye is easily one of the greenest properties in the area.

And at roughly $2,500 per night, it's relatively affordable if you go with a group (it hosts up to 14 people).

Airbnb

Yes, you can rent an island on Airbnb. The Little Peter Oasis is a small atoll with its own coral-rimmed blue lagoon just outside the main bungalow. And while the bungalow itself has charm (a thatched roof, two bedrooms, and a spacious living area), let's face it, the tiered deck overlooking the lagoon is where you'll spend most of your time-when you're not in the water.

The island hosts four people comfortably-five if one's willing to sleep on the living room futon. The fairly reasonable $975 per night includes transportation to and from the island and drinks and meals by a private chef.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How to Rent Your Own Private Island in Belize

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Ever dream of having a Caribbean island all to yourself? Of escaping to your own tropical paradise with nothing but white sand and aqua-blue water all around you? In Belize, you can live that dream without taking out a second mortgage.

# data[].attributes.body
Will oil development occur in this historic area??? Click to find out

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
BELMOPAN, Belize, February 2, 2018 (ENS) - While President Donald Trump intends to open nearly all U.S. waters to offshore oil development for the first time, the country with the largest coral reef in the Western Hemisphere has banned offshore oil drilling to protect its natural heritage and fishing industry.

The Central American country of Belize is caretaker of the world's second longest barrier reef, which runs along its east coast.

The 200-mile-long Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is part of a 560-mile-long Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, which touches the coasts of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras.

The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef contains the largest barrier reef in both the Western and the Northern Hemispheres, stretching nearly 700 miles from the northern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula down through the Honduran Bay Islands.

Belize made history in late December by unanimously passing the Petroleum Operations (Offshore Zone Moratorium) Bill, 2017, which places an indefinite moratorium on offshore oil development in Belize's marine territory.

The new law makes it an offense to conduct oil exploration or extraction activities in Belize's territorial waters. Violators face a fine of up to $3 million, imprisonment of up to two years, or a combination of both.

The legislation comes after years of advocacy, a blocked referendum and court battles.

Early this century, most of Belize's 8,867 square miles of territory and much of the country's offshore waters were allocated in petroleum concessions to 18 different companies with a range of foreign shareholders from as close as the United States and as far as Taiwan.

Belize Natural Energy has one of those 18 contracts, and it has been the only company producing and exporting oil from the country, since it found oil in Belize in 2005.

In April 2010, the three-month-long Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico heightened concern about proposed oil exploration in Belize's offshore areas.

In 2013, Belizean Attorney Audrey Matura won a groundbreaking victory when a judge declared six offshore oil contracts null and void.

ELAW, a U.S.-based nonprofit that helps communities world-wide protect the environment and public health through law, provided legal support to Matura and the lawyers representing Oceana, Citizens Organized for Liberty and Action, and the Belize Coalition to Save Our Natural Heritage in this case.

Emboldened by this legal victory, Belizeans country-wide went on to advocate for a permanent ban on oil development in their coastal waters.

"Hats off to the determined people of Belize for seeing this all the way through," said ELAW Associate Director Lori Maddox, who coordinates ELAW's work in the Mesoamerican Reef region.

"It's been a long haul from the courtroom, to the public referendum, to the peoples' referendum, to new law," said Maddox, "but it's a testament to working in coalition on priority goals and is already inspiring others around the world to follow their lead."

The Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System is one interconnected system comprised of seven marine protected areas located along the length of the barrier reef, the shelf lagoon and offshore atolls. It represents all the main reef and coastal habitats, including rare littoral forest on sand cayes that are inhabited by endangered plants and animals.

Endangered species protected within the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System include: the West Indian manatee, the American crocodile and three species of sea turtle. The BBRRS is home to species found nowhere else - Yucatan birds, island lizards, fishes and sponges - giving it one of the highest levels of marine biodiversity in the Atlantic.

"Today is a great day for Belize," said Nadia Bood, Mesoamerican reef scientist at WWF. "Not only has its government listened to calls to protect the Belize Barrier Reef, which only last year was under threat from seismic oil exploration, it has stepped up to become a world leader in ocean protection by ending all oil activity in its waters."

The endangered hawksbill turtle, manatees, and six threatened species of shark live in these waters. The reef is made up of healthy corals, and aquatic animals shelter their young in mangrove forests fringing the coast.

Belize's economy is built on tourism, which is estimated to bring in between US$182 million to $237 million per year. Reef-related tourism and fisheries support an estimated 190,000 people.

"By acting to remove a major threat to the reef, Belize is safeguarding its future prosperity," Bood said. She expressed the hope that Belize's move will encourage other countries to follow suit.

The Belize Coalition to Save our Natural Heritage, made up of more than 40 environmental, industry and social organizations has been fighting for years to protect the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System.

Janelle Chanona, vice president for one of those organizations, Oceana (Belize), said, "As a nation, we would never have gotten to this point were it not for the enduring participation of the Belizean people. That engagement reflects the national consciousness that we are 'people of the reef.'"

She said, "We will ensure that the world knows that the government and people of Belize are serious about safeguarding our heritage and protecting our collective future from the reality of offshore oil."

Copyright Environment News Service (ENS) 2018. All rights reserved.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Belize Blocks Oil Development on Americas' Longest Reef

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
BELMOPAN, Belize, February 2, 2018 (ENS) - While President Donald Trump intends to open nearly all U.S. waters to offshore oil development for the first time, the country with the largest coral reef in the Western Hemisphere has banned offshore oil drilling to protect its natural heritage and fishing industry.

# data[].attributes.body
You will be provided with a few fun facts you may or may not have known about the Belize barrier reef

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A few facts you might not know about this impressive jewel!

# data[].attributes.body
This video gives you a virtual tour of the Belize Barrier Reef.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Jul 11, 2015 - 16 min - Uploaded by palmettod This is some raw footage of our first snorkeling trip to the youtube.com Barrier Reef of Belize. Music ...

# data[].attributes.body
This picture shows the diversity of species in the Belize Barrier Reef

# data[].attributes.body
Below you see a main attraction to this reef

# data[].attributes.body
Green Reef is a non-profit, non-governmental organization dedicated to the protection of the Belize Barrier Reef and the associated marine environment in order to maintain the ecosystems and organisms that are affected by the threats.

# data[].attributes.body
Key environmental threats include  hurricanes, coral-bleaching events and even earthquakes. Key threats from human use include over fishing, cruise ship tourism.

# data[].attributes.body
The Belize Barrier Reef is located off the coast of Belize in the Caribbean Sea. This reef is made up 70 hard coral species, 36 soft coral species, and over 500 species of fish which are home to this great reef. This great reef is home to whale sharks, rays, and manatees!!!

# data[].attributes.body
It is the second largest coral reef system in the world after the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and is popular for scuba diving and snorkeling, as well as a popular fishing spot.