yes, Belize has the longest reef in this hemisphere, and the 2nd longest in the world, with the best diving and snorkeling EVER !!

just make sure (especially if you have numbness issues) that you ARMOUR up before beach-combing... there's sand fleas and no-see-ums, and you can get bit to heck without even knowing it.

people with MS and peripheral neuropathies are especially vulnerable...

jellyfish can also be an issue... so I like FULL-coverage scuba suits, even while merely snorkeling.

the most unfair part is that there's different neuro sensors for feeling the BITE, and feeling the later ITCH caused by the bugs' anticoagulant or venom.

so... I can't feel the bites (to slap or whack them away, or KNOW it's time to LEAVE) but unfortunately, I CAN feel the itching...

wah wah wah!

oh, and Trish, if you hold your dream close, and pinch your pennies, and plan well, someday you can make it come true!

I managed (with lots of help) to swim with the ray mantas in Tahiti... I wanted to do it sooooooooooo bad, that I convinced them to let me (despite liability issues up de wazoo) even though I was in a wheelchair.

it took two guides to help me stay with the group, and attached to the rope (I hooked my elbows over it, as my numb weak hands couldn't hold on to the rope)

and that's given me memories I will NEVER forget !!

a really nice thing about snorkeling is that most of the MS just disappears, in the cool water, and floating...

serenity, and bliss, I highly recommend it !