About Xcalak Marine Park

Xcalak Reef National Park, which includes the waters in front of its 30 km stretch of coast, starts at the Bacalar Chico River to the south—also the border between Mexico and Belize. The marine park was decreed on November 27, 2000, thanks to an initiative put forth by local Xcalak residents in 1996.

This park protects species of fantastic biodiversity both under and above the water. Diving in the marine sanctuary, you’ll find one of the healthiest reefs in the Caribbean and a wide variety—and healthy populations—of coral and fish species. In addition to the park’s 31 species of land mammals, many of which are rare and/or endangered, there is a large population of manatees, some of which show up at our local dive sites on lucky days.

The park’s wetlands are a designated Ramsar Site, making Xcalak Reef National Park one of the most widely and thoroughly protected national parks in the region, with enough measures in place to ensure it stays that way for years to come.