NORTHERN BELIZE
Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary
Protecting a remarkable river-to-reef landscape in northern Belize.
Discover the wildlife, habitats and communities connected to one of Belize’s most important protected areas.
DISCOVER • PROTECT • CONNECT
A Protected Landscape of National Importance
Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary connects coastal habitats, wildlife, communities and the wider Mesoamerican Reef system.
178,000
ACRES
72,000
HECTARES
1998
ESTABLISHED
ABOUT CBWS
A Sanctuary Connecting Land, Water & Reef
Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary (CBWS) is the second largest marine protected area in Belize, encompassing approximately 178,000 acres (72,000 hectares) of the Belize portion of the Mesoamerican Reef’s largest estuarine system and much of the northern shelf lagoon behind Ambergris Caye.
Situated in the north east of Belize, CBWS was established in 1998 under the National Park Systems Act of 1981 as part of Belize’s National Protected Areas System.
It is also part of a transboundary protected area, twinned with the Santuario del Manatí of Mexico, following Belize-Mexico bilateral agreements.
RIVER • COAST • REEF
A River-to-Reef Connection
CBWS lies within the larger Northern Belize Coastal Complex and acts as an important settling basin for sediment and contaminants before they reach the Mesoamerican Reef system.
This connection helps support the health of Belize’s northern barrier reef and important tourism destinations such as Hol Chan and Caye Caulker.
WHY IT MATTERS
A Haven for Wildlife & Coastal Habitats
CBWS supports important wildlife populations, habitats and ecological processes connected to Belize’s wider marine environment.
Manatees
CBWS is home to one of the most stable populations of manatees in Belize.
Bird Habitats
The sanctuary contains important bird nesting sites within its coastal habitats.
Bull Shark Nursery
CBWS contains the only recorded bull shark nursery and pupping area in Belize.
Mangrove Habitats
Extensive coastal and caye mangrove habitats form an important part of the sanctuary.
Stromatolite Reef
CBWS contains the only stromatolite reef system recorded in Belize.
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Conservation
Protecting these habitats helps support the wider northern Belize coastal ecosystem.
BEYOND BORDERS
Conservation Across a Shared Landscape
CBWS forms part of a transboundary estuarine system and is twinned with the Santuario del Manatí of Mexico.
Continued collaboration between conservation partners on both sides of the border contributes to improved conservation outcomes across the shared landscape.
EXPLORE THE SANCTUARY
Where Is Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary?
Explore the sanctuary and surrounding landscape using the interactive map below.
PEOPLE • PLACES • CONSERVATION
Communities Connected to CBWS
Five coastal stakeholder communities are connected to the sanctuary’s wider landscape.
Sarteneja
Chunox
Copper Bank
Consejo
Corozal
Sarteneja is identified as the community most dependent on the marine resources of CBWS.
Discover Northern Belize Through Conservation
Explore the places, wildlife and communities that make northern Belize unique—and learn how conservation helps protect this remarkable landscape.
info@sacdbelize.org • +(501)4801440