 Glover's Reef is about 70
miles southeast of Belize City and due east from Dangriga (about 2.5 hours from Placencia
by boat). It encompasses an area of approximately 90 square miles.
The atoll was named for the pirate, John Glover, and old pirate graves are said
to be on North East Caye.
Glover's Reef remains one of the most remote - and most unexplored areas of
Belize. Some marine biologist believe it may be the most untouched atoll system in
the Caribbean.
All cayes except North East Caye have been zoned conservation areas, and Middle
Caye is a designated wilderness.
Fishing is primarily trolling and spinning for tuna, King
mackerel, barracuda, jack, grouper and snapper (the reef is an important breeding ground
for grouper and snapper). Sport fishing is allowed only in
the General Use Zone and a special license is required ($50 BZD for non-Belizeans).
All sport fishing inside the Reserve is catch and release and the details of the catch
(species, size and area) should be reported to the Reserve Manager for statistical
purposes.
Glover's Atoll Resort on Northeast Caye also offers scuba diving
and scuba diving instruction. Effective Nov. 15, 1999, all divers will be required
to show their c-cards and attend a 2-3 minute briefing on the rules and regulations inside
the Marine Reserve.
Official Belize Fisheries Dept. Glover's Reef Atoll
Marine Reserve Chart.
All pictures are of Northeast Caye, a 9 acre, privately owned caye. Very
basic cabana accommodations are available on Northeast Caye at Glover's Atoll Resort (no
running water or indoor toilets). (See our Fishing Reports
for information on an August, 1999 fishing trip to Glover's Reef.)
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