Glover's Reef is a prime example of an atoll. It is the prototypic atoll of the Caribbean, and the best developed of all the atolls in Belize. It is classified as an elongate rectangular atoll, 32 km long and 12 km wide with an area of 260 square kilometers. The waters outside of the atoll are exceptionally clear and the eastern side of the atoll feels the full force of the prevailing winds and waves of the Caribbean Sea. This atoll posses the greatest diversity of reef types and associated organisms of all the offshore reefs. The central lagoon of the atoll is unique because of its depth and the number of pinnacles and patch reefs carpeting the entire lagoon.
Glover's Reef has six cayes, all lying along the southeastern side of the atoll. The cayes are arranged in a linear fashion along a NE-SW axis. They are composed mainly of coral rubble piled up by the strong wave action of the Caribbean. The highest elevation is less then two meters with most of the islands having a depression in the middle, which often fills with standing water.
Like Lighthouse Reef, Glover's Reef is surrounded on all sides by a sharply defined reef, which edges a wide reef flat. The atoll edges are steep-to on all sides, falling to water depths of 10,000 feet to the east. It is interesting to note that the reefs vary greatly from the eastern side of the atoll to the western sides, which in turn are both very different from the patch reefs, which pepper the interior of the atoll.
The patch reefs of Glover's Reef are relatively large in area, rise from the deep water, and are very numerous. A typical patch is round in shape with a very obvious zonation of coral. This zonation is very similar to that which is found generally among the patch reefs inside of the barrier reef. This leads scientists to believe that there is considerable wave action inside of the atoll.
As early as 1954, Glover's Reef was recommended as a bird sanctuary because of a breeding colony of white-capped brown noddies. Then in 1978, a United Nations consultant recommended that the entire atoll be declared an underwater preserve. Finally, in 1994, the entire atoll was zoned and declared a national park.
The zoning took into account that there is limited use of the atoll. Because of its remoteness, Glover's Reef is relatively untouched. A few local Belizean fishermen visit the atoll and some foreign fishing boats do also to collect lobster and fin fish. There are also a number of tourist operations on the atoll. A marine research center has just recently been established on Middle Caye.
The zoning plan developed for the park takes into account all the current uses of the atoll, as well as the critical marine habitats. All marine habitats are protected while continuing to allow reasonable economic benefit through fishing and tourism.
But by far, the greatest attraction of Glover's Reef is the underwater world. Waters are crystal clear and the coral growth is spectacular. Huge coral spurs form caves, caverns and ledges. Eagle rays float over the top of the atoll edge, while huge schools of jacks, spadefish and snappers cruise by. The invertebrate life is vibrant and colorful. Glover's Reef is another of those gems that belong not only to Belize, but to the world.
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