Belize Day 10: Snorkeling at Mexican Rocks and Tres Cocos

Grab your fins because we're going snorkeling today at the second largest barrier reef in the world. We pack our snorkeling gear and walk up the beach to the tour guide shop, Sea-Rious. Jeffrey, our captain and guide, introduces himself to us and the seven other people on the boat. We are heading North to the Mexican Rocks and Tres Cocos.

Both of us have snorkeled before in such places as St Croix, Cozumel, and Hawaii. So we were no rookies. OK, maybe a little rusty from the lack of practice. Nevertheless, we slip on the fins, pull on our masks, and fall over the side of the boat.

The barrier reef is spectacular. There are massive coral formations. A colorful and diverse population of fish. Parrotfish. Angelfish. Grouper. Yellow Fin Tuna. Many more than I could identify. My favorite is an itty bitty blackfish with glowing blue dots. At Tres Cocos, we come upon a huge manta ray. The ray is about five feet across. It swims towards us. Then starts working itself into the sand. Jeffrey warns that they're not friendly in this area. 

I forgot how snorkeling can work up a powerful appetite. By the end of the tour, I was famished. We headed to the streets looking for chow. Diane stops into Celi's Deli for a sandwich. I wanted some street food but sadly learned they only cook on weekends. Luckily, I find a side street restaurant called Dianita's Take Out. They serve up one delicious Belizean fried chicken. We take our lunches to the beach and eat under the shade of a palm tree.

Next: Bug Bites

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