The Aquarium (Long Caye)

The Aquarium earns its name honestly: the shallow reef top off Long Caye holds fish at densities that make counting pointless. Creole wrasse stream along the edge in purple rivers, yellowtail snappers mob divers out of pure habit, and the grooves hide lobster antennae and channel-clinging crabs. The mini-wall below adds sponges and the occasional passing eagle ray without demanding depth. After the Blue Hole's austere blue and Half Moon's grandeur, this is the palate-cleanser (bright, busy, easy), and it is many divers' fondest memory of the whole Lighthouse Reef day.

اللحظة التي جئت من أجلها: Fish density on the reef top, streaming creole wrasse, easy profile after deeper dives.

التضاريس: A shallow spur-and-groove reef top rolling over into a sloping mini-wall.

نقطة الدخول: Moored site off Long Caye on Lighthouse Reef; commonly the relaxed third tank of Blue Hole itineraries.

المخاطر: Little beyond sunburn and boat traffic; mind the shallow coral on the swim back.

الحفاظ على البيئة البحرية: Within the Lighthouse Reef protected complex; yellowtails beg because of old feeding habits. Do not renew them.