The perimeter of the atoll has elk horn coral forests. Here and in a deeper sandy area is a great variety of fish and sea life, including many sharks. Shark Point, northeast of North Caye with its lighthouse, is well-known for hammerhead and tiger sharks. San Pedro has the country's only hyperbaric chamber. It's located near the airstrip.
Most dive shops ask for a small donation with each tank fill which goes toward funding the chamber.
For those who don't dive but would like to, several Ambergris Caye dive shops offer courses and training. This includes classroom training, practice in a pool or in the water, and an actual dive, usually at Hol Chan. Dive operations and their principals come and go, so it's always a good idea to check locally for current recommendations, but here are some of the Ambergris Caye dive shops consistently recommended by knowledgeable divers and readers of this magazine. It is not an exhaustive list. Note that most dive shops also offer snorkel trips.