Dive Site: The Chimney

About The Chimney

The Chimney, also known as Chris's Chimney, is a unique dive site located within Lighthouse Reef in Belize, distinguishing itself with a remarkable vertical swim-through. This natural formation cuts through a coral spur from top to bottom, resembling a chimney that leads divers into a wider chamber. The site is beginner-friendly and offers a gentle reef slope adorned with colorful sponges and sea fans. Inside the chimney, divers encounter walls intricately encrusted with tubastrea cup corals and bright orange encrusting sponges, creating a vivid underwater spectacle. The main depth for exploration outside the chimney is around 26 meters (85 feet), where the wall side opens up to reveal a diverse ecosystem. Marine life commonly observed here includes schools of yellowtail snappers, pairs of queen angelfish, sea turtles, nurse sharks, and various types of eels and lobsters. The site also offers opportunities to spot tarpon and seahorses among the vibrant coral formations. While many species are present year-round, conditions in April to June are optimal for visibility and encounters with larger pelagics in the wider Belize region. As a boat dive, The Chimney offers manageable depths and clear waters, providing an engaging experience for divers of varying proficiency. The unique topography, combined with abundant marine life, makes it a highlight within the Lighthouse Reef Atoll for both leisurely exploration and underwater photography.

Dive site facts: The Chimney

Depth

26 m

Current

Mild to moderate

Visibility

18–30 m

Water temperature

26–29°C

Entry

Boat dive

Level

Beginner friendly

Dive type

Reef, wall, swim-through

Region / port

Lighthouse Reef, Belize

Coordinates

17.3167° N, 87.8920° W

Conditions & Currents

Currents at The Chimney are generally described as mild to moderate, making it accessible for less experienced divers. While some reviews note occasional moderate currents, many report calm conditions, particularly in periods of exceptional visibility. The dive is typically executed as a boat dive, with divers entering near the chimney opening. Exiting the swim-through leads to the main wall, where divers can navigate along the reef slope. Visibility commonly ranges from 18 to 30 meters, with an average of 25 meters, providing clear views of the site's unique features and marine life. Water temperatures remain consistently warm, between 26-29°C, throughout the year, reducing the need for thick wetsuits and enhancing diver comfort during extended bottom times.

Marine life & sighting chances

Yellowtail snapper

common

Queen angelfish

common

Sea turtle

common

Nurse shark

common

Moray eel

common

Lobster

common

Tarpon

occasional

Seahorse

occasional

Tubastrea cup coral

common

Encrusting sponge (orange)

common

Sea fan

common

Eagle ray

occasional

Reef shark

occasional

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Your dive at The Chimney typically begins with a boat entry, positioning you directly above or near the distinctive vertical swim-through. Upon descent, you enter the narrow opening of the chimney, a natural passage that extends downwards through the coral spur. You'll navigate through this unique geological feature, admiring the vibrant tubastrea cup corals and orange encrusting sponges adorning its walls. The chimney widens into a larger chamber at its base, leading out to the main reef wall at depths around 26 meters (85 feet). From here, the dive continues along the gentle reef slope, exploring the colorful coral formations, sea fans, and searching for resident marine life like yellowtail snappers and queen angelfish. The turn point is determined by air consumption and bottom time, with the ascent gradually leading back towards shallower sections of the reef for a multi-level profile. Your safety stop will be conducted in the shallower, calmer waters of the reef, providing a final opportunity to observe smaller reef creatures.

Underwater photography

The Chimney offers diverse photographic opportunities, balancing wide-angle and macro shots. For the unique chimney swim-through, a wide-angle lens is ideal to capture the scale of the vertical passage and the interplay of light and shadow on the coral-encrusted walls. Ensure good buoyancy control to avoid contact with the delicate formations. Outside the chimney on the reef slope, wide-angle also works well for capturing schools of yellowtail snapper and the extensive coral gardens. For macro subjects, such as seahorses, lobsters, or detailed shots of the tubastrea cup corals and sponges, a 60mm or 100mm macro lens is recommended. Strobes are essential to bring out the true colors of the corals and sponges, especially within the deeper sections of the swim-through and on the main wall. Pay attention to lighting angles to minimize backscatter in the chamber. Patience is key for capturing marine life, particularly the shyer species like eels and nurse sharks.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• Half Moon Caye Wall

  A Lighthouse Reef site offering vertical drop-offs with sponges and colorful corals.

• The Great Blue Hole

  A world-famous sinkhole within Lighthouse Reef for advanced divers.

• Long Caye Ridge

  Located within Lighthouse Reef, featuring diverse marine life.

• The Elbow at Turneffe

  Known for pelagic encounters and current dives at Turneffe Atoll.

• Black Beauty

  A site in the wider Lighthouse Reef area.

• Elk Horn Forest

  A coral garden site in Lighthouse Reef.

Getting there & logistics

Access to The Chimney is primarily via liveaboard vessels or resort-based dive operators offering trips to Lighthouse Reef, as it is an offshore atoll. International flights typically arrive at Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (BZE) near Belize City. From there, transfers to liveaboard departure points or domestic flights to regional airstrips for resort access are common. Liveaboard trips often run for 7-night itineraries, combining sites like The Chimney with other Lighthouse Reef attractions, including the Great Blue Hole and Half Moon Caye Wall. Marine park fees are generally included in liveaboard packages for protected areas like Lighthouse Reef. Reserving liveaboard space or dive packages well in advance is advisable, especially during peak season from March to June.

Safety & environment

While The Chimney is considered beginner-friendly, divers should maintain good buoyancy control, especially within the swim-through, to protect the fragile coral formations. Always dive within your training limits and adhere to your dive computer's no-decompression limits. The nearest recompression chamber is located in San Pedro on Ambergris Caye, requiring boat transfer and potentially domestic flight for evacuation from Lighthouse Reef. Dive insurance, including coverage for emergency medical and evacuation services, is highly recommended for all divers in Belize. Always dive with a buddy and ensure your equipment is well-maintained. Operators closely monitor weather conditions, especially during the wet season from August to October when tropical storms are a risk, and may adjust dive plans for safety.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

The Chimney FAQ

Liveaboards diving The Chimney

These liveaboards may visit The Chimney on selected itineraries — the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.

Belize Aggressor IV

Belize

20 guests42.1 m

$356/day

Belize Aggressor III

Belize

18 guests33.5 m

$336/day