DIVING OFFSHORE ATOLLS
There are only four atolls in the Western Hemisphere, and three of them
are right here in Belize. Which makes diving here pretty special. hey
sit atop two parallel submerged mountain ridges separated by a deep
water channel. On one mountain ridge sits the Turneffe Atoll & the
Glover's Reef Atoll. On the other mountain ridge sits the Lighthouse
Reef Atoll, which lies farther east. These Atoll rise amidst deep
offshore water, which makes possible ,some of the most spectacular wall
dive sites in this region which promise excellent visibility.
LIGHTHOUSE REEF ATOLL
This Atoll is some 40 miles east of Belize City (at its closest point). Lighthouse Reef Atoll is the most seaward of the three atolls. Although the legendary Blue Hole may be the headline attraction for Belize and this region in general, there are many dive sites here to choose from which are just as spectacular. This offshore location means generally excellent visibility and frequent encounters with large marine denizens.
If taking one of our day trips to the Blue Hole, you will also visit Half Moon Caye in this nature reserve. Try to snorkeling around the old wooden pier just east of the new quay. Here you will find a wide variety of rays and nurse sharks who often rest here, and they'll come within reach if you're patient and move slowly.
OFFSHORE LIGHTHOUSE ATOLL - MAJOR DIVE SITES: Blue Hole, Eagle Ray Wall, The Aquarium, Silver Caves, Painted Wall, Julle's Jungle, Quebrada, Long Caye Ridge, Pete's Palace, Nurse Shark Ridge, No Cococ (Tres Cocos), Elkhorn Forest, Half Moon Wall, Shark Point.
TURNEFFE ISLAND ATOLL
Turneffe Atoll is a loose band of tropical Cayes covered in verdant palms, shrubs and mangroves. The Turneffe Islands are the largest offshore atolls (some 30 miles long and 10 miles wide). Turneffe is about 19 miles from the Belize mainland, the atoll is easily accessible via day trip boats from Beilze City, Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker. Most dive operators will group around the south end and west side of the Atoll, which is sheltered from the steady northeast trade winds. There are a few exposed sites, which offer some of the most thrilling dives.
OFFSHORE TURNEFFE ATOLL - MAJOR DIVE SITES: Sandy Lane, Black Coral Wall, Mini Elbow, Triple Anchors, Sayonara, West Point Wall, The Elbow, Black Beauty.
GLOVER'S REEF ATOLL
Glover's Reef Atoll is about 25 miles southeast of Dangriga. It is Belize's Southernmost Atoll, grouped into a collection of six small islands, that boast white-sand beaches backed, and swaying palm trees. In the 18th century, the Atoll was named after the English buccaneer John Glover, who used the Caye as a base for attacking Spanish merchant ships.
Glover Reef Atoll is only accessible by boat, this Atoll boasts of spectacular hard-coral formations, that make a dive trip here worth the extra effort. Day trips to Glover's Reef are available from Dangriga, Hopkins, Sittee River, Tobacco Caye and South Water Caye.
OFFSHORE GLOVER'S REEF ATOLL - MAJOR DIVE SITES: Long Caye Lagoon, Long Caye Cut, Long Caye Wall, Bev's Garden, The Crack, The Abyss, Middle Caye Wall, The Pinnacles, West Wall.
LIGHTHOUSE REEF ATOLL
This Atoll is some 40 miles east of Belize City (at its closest point). Lighthouse Reef Atoll is the most seaward of the three atolls. Although the legendary Blue Hole may be the headline attraction for Belize and this region in general, there are many dive sites here to choose from which are just as spectacular. This offshore location means generally excellent visibility and frequent encounters with large marine denizens.
If taking one of our day trips to the Blue Hole, you will also visit Half Moon Caye in this nature reserve. Try to snorkeling around the old wooden pier just east of the new quay. Here you will find a wide variety of rays and nurse sharks who often rest here, and they'll come within reach if you're patient and move slowly.
OFFSHORE LIGHTHOUSE ATOLL - MAJOR DIVE SITES: Blue Hole, Eagle Ray Wall, The Aquarium, Silver Caves, Painted Wall, Julle's Jungle, Quebrada, Long Caye Ridge, Pete's Palace, Nurse Shark Ridge, No Cococ (Tres Cocos), Elkhorn Forest, Half Moon Wall, Shark Point.
TURNEFFE ISLAND ATOLL
Turneffe Atoll is a loose band of tropical Cayes covered in verdant palms, shrubs and mangroves. The Turneffe Islands are the largest offshore atolls (some 30 miles long and 10 miles wide). Turneffe is about 19 miles from the Belize mainland, the atoll is easily accessible via day trip boats from Beilze City, Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker. Most dive operators will group around the south end and west side of the Atoll, which is sheltered from the steady northeast trade winds. There are a few exposed sites, which offer some of the most thrilling dives.
OFFSHORE TURNEFFE ATOLL - MAJOR DIVE SITES: Sandy Lane, Black Coral Wall, Mini Elbow, Triple Anchors, Sayonara, West Point Wall, The Elbow, Black Beauty.
GLOVER'S REEF ATOLL
Glover's Reef Atoll is about 25 miles southeast of Dangriga. It is Belize's Southernmost Atoll, grouped into a collection of six small islands, that boast white-sand beaches backed, and swaying palm trees. In the 18th century, the Atoll was named after the English buccaneer John Glover, who used the Caye as a base for attacking Spanish merchant ships.
Glover Reef Atoll is only accessible by boat, this Atoll boasts of spectacular hard-coral formations, that make a dive trip here worth the extra effort. Day trips to Glover's Reef are available from Dangriga, Hopkins, Sittee River, Tobacco Caye and South Water Caye.
OFFSHORE GLOVER'S REEF ATOLL - MAJOR DIVE SITES: Long Caye Lagoon, Long Caye Cut, Long Caye Wall, Bev's Garden, The Crack, The Abyss, Middle Caye Wall, The Pinnacles, West Wall.
DIVING LIGHTHOUSE REEF
LIGHTHOUSE REEF ATOLL
The most easterly of Belize's three atolls, Lighthouse Reef lies 50 miles southeast of Belize City. The 30-mile long, 8 mile wide lagoon is the location of the Blue Hole, a dive spot that was made famous by Jacques Cousteau and that is a favorite destination of dive boats from Belize City, Ambergris Caye, and Caye Caulker. The best dive spots, however, are along the walls of Half Moon Caye and Long Caye, where the diving rivals that of any in the world.
Think of the atoll as a large spatula with a short handle and a long blade. At the northern tip of the spatula blade, Sandbore Caye is home to a rusty lighthouse and a few fishing shacks. It is also the favorite anchorage of several of the dive boats that do overnight stops.
Big Norther Caye, across a narrow strait, is the location of Lighthouse Reef Resort. A landing strip just behind the resort is a convenient means of entry for resort guests and divers who wish to make only a day trip without the long-water crossing going and coming, which eats up most of the day. Here are long stretches of beach to walk, beautiful vistas, and large areas of mangroves and lagoons, home to snowy egrets and crocodiles.
Halfway down the spatula-shaped atoll, about where the balde meets the handle, lies the magnificient Blue Hole, a formation best appreciated from the air, but also impressive from the bridge of a boat.
At the elbow of the handle is Half Moon Caye, a hsitorical natural monument and pretected area with its lighthouse, bird sanctuary, shipwrecks, and incredible diving offshore. Finally, on the handle, we come upon Long Caye, a lonely outpost with a small dock, large palms, and glassy water.
Think of the atoll as a large spatula with a short handle and a long blade. At the northern tip of the spatula blade, Sandbore Caye is home to a rusty lighthouse and a few fishing shacks. It is also the favorite anchorage of several of the dive boats that do overnight stops.
Big Norther Caye, across a narrow strait, is the location of Lighthouse Reef Resort. A landing strip just behind the resort is a convenient means of entry for resort guests and divers who wish to make only a day trip without the long-water crossing going and coming, which eats up most of the day. Here are long stretches of beach to walk, beautiful vistas, and large areas of mangroves and lagoons, home to snowy egrets and crocodiles.
Halfway down the spatula-shaped atoll, about where the balde meets the handle, lies the magnificient Blue Hole, a formation best appreciated from the air, but also impressive from the bridge of a boat.
At the elbow of the handle is Half Moon Caye, a hsitorical natural monument and pretected area with its lighthouse, bird sanctuary, shipwrecks, and incredible diving offshore. Finally, on the handle, we come upon Long Caye, a lonely outpost with a small dock, large palms, and glassy water.
DIVING LIGHTHOUSE REEF
BLUE HOLE
This circular underwater formation, with its magnificent blue-to-black hues surrounded by neon water, is emblematic of Belize itself; this submerged shaft is a karst-eroded sinkhole with depths exceeding 400 feet. in the early 1970's Jacques Cousteau and his crew explored the tunnels, caversn, and stalactites that were angled by past earthquakes.
Most dive groups descend to a depth of about 135 feet. Technically, this is not a dive for novices or even intermediate divers, though thousands have done it. It requires a rapid descent, a very short period at depth, and a careful ascent. For a group fo 10 or more, at least three dive masters should be present. Critics write the Blue Hole off as a "hyped-up macho dive," but my personal experience there - descending with an entourage of circling reef sharsk and turtles - was extraordinary. The lip of the crater down to about 60-80 feet has the most life; fat midnight parrot fish, stingrays, angelfish, butterfly fish, and other small reef fish cluster around coral heads and outcroppings.
HALF MOON CAYE WALL
They just don't come much better than this. Here on the eastern side of the atoll, the reef has a shallow shelf in about 15 feet of water where garden eels are plentiful. The sandy area broken with corals extneds downward till you run into the reef wall, which rises some 20 feet toward the surface. Most boats anchor in the sandy area above the reef wall. Numerous fissures in the reef crest form canyons or tunnels leading out to the vertical face. In this area, sandy shelves and vallys frequently harbor nurse sharks and gigantic stingrays. Divers here are sure to return with a wealth of wonderful pictures.
TRES COCOS
On the western wall, "Three Coconuts" refers to trees on nearby Long Caye. The sandy bottom slopes from about 30 feet to about 40 feet deep before it plunges downard. Overhangs here are common features, and sponges and soft corals adorn the walls. Another fish lover's paradise, Tres Cocos does not have the outstanding coral formations you'll see at several other dives in the area, but who cares? There's a rainbow of marine life all about. Turtles, monrays, jacks, coral, shrimp, cowfish, rays, and angelfish are among the actors on this colorful stage.
SILVER CAVES
The shoals of silversides (small gleaming minnows) that gave this western atoll site its name are gone. But Silver Caves is still impressive an enjoyable. The coral formations are riddled with large crevices and caves that cut clear through the reef. As you enter the water above the sandy slope where most boats anchor, you'll be in about 30 feet of water and surrounded by friendly yellowtail snappes. Once again you'll see the downardly sloping bottom, this rising reef crest, and the stomach-flipping drop into the blue.
WEST POINT
Farther north and about even with the Blue Hole, West Point is well worth the dive. Visibility may be a bit more limited than down south, but it's still very acceptable. The reef face here is stepped. The first drop plunges from about 30 feet to well over 100 feet deep. Anotehr coral and sand slope at that depth extends a short distance before dropping vertically into very deep water. The first and shallow wall has pronounced overhangs and lush coral and sponge growth.
HALF MOON CAYE
Dedicated as a monument in 1982, this crecent-shaped island ws the first protected area in Belize. Half Moon Caye, at the southeast corner of Lighthouse Reef, measures 45 square acres, half of which is a thriving (but endangered) littoral forest; the other half is a stunning palm-dotted beach. This is also the only red-footed booby sanctuary in the Western Hemisphere besisdes the Galapogos. The US $40.00 per person admission fee is sometimes included in your dive boat fee, but sometimes you'll pay it directly to the park ranger when you disembark.
As you approach Half Moon Caye, you'll belive you have arrived at some South Sea paradise. Offshore, boartes use the rusted hull of a wreck, the Elksund, as a landmark in these waters. Its dark hulk looms over the surreal blue and black of the reef world. The caye, eight fee above sea level, was formed by the accretion of coral bits, shells, and calcareous algae. It's divided into two ecosystems: The section on the western side has dense vegetation with rich fertile soil, while the eastern section primarily supports coconut palms and little other vegetation.
Besides offshore waters that are among the clearest in Belize, the caye's beaches are wonderful. You must climb the eight-foot-high central ridge that divides the island and gaze south before you see the striking half-moon beach with its unrelenting surf erupting against limestone rocks. Half Moon Caye's first lighthouse, built in 1820, sits on the eastern side of the caye. Another was built in 1848 and modernized and enlarged in 1931; today the lighthouse runs on solar power.
THE TOWER
Everyone should go to the observation tower, built by the Audubon Society in the zericote forest; climb above the forest canopy for an unbelievable view. Every tree is covered with perched booby birds in some stage of growth or mating. In the right season, you'll have a close-up view of nests where feathered parents tend their hatchlings. The air is filled with boobies comin and going, attempting to make thier usually clumsy landings (those webbed feet werent' designed for landing in trees). Visitors also have a wonderful opportunity to see the other myriad inhabitants of the caye. Magnificient thieving frigates (the symbol of Belize Audubon Society) swoop in to steal eggs, and iguanas crawl around in the branches, also looking for a snack.
This circular underwater formation, with its magnificent blue-to-black hues surrounded by neon water, is emblematic of Belize itself; this submerged shaft is a karst-eroded sinkhole with depths exceeding 400 feet. in the early 1970's Jacques Cousteau and his crew explored the tunnels, caversn, and stalactites that were angled by past earthquakes.
Most dive groups descend to a depth of about 135 feet. Technically, this is not a dive for novices or even intermediate divers, though thousands have done it. It requires a rapid descent, a very short period at depth, and a careful ascent. For a group fo 10 or more, at least three dive masters should be present. Critics write the Blue Hole off as a "hyped-up macho dive," but my personal experience there - descending with an entourage of circling reef sharsk and turtles - was extraordinary. The lip of the crater down to about 60-80 feet has the most life; fat midnight parrot fish, stingrays, angelfish, butterfly fish, and other small reef fish cluster around coral heads and outcroppings.
HALF MOON CAYE WALL
They just don't come much better than this. Here on the eastern side of the atoll, the reef has a shallow shelf in about 15 feet of water where garden eels are plentiful. The sandy area broken with corals extneds downward till you run into the reef wall, which rises some 20 feet toward the surface. Most boats anchor in the sandy area above the reef wall. Numerous fissures in the reef crest form canyons or tunnels leading out to the vertical face. In this area, sandy shelves and vallys frequently harbor nurse sharks and gigantic stingrays. Divers here are sure to return with a wealth of wonderful pictures.
TRES COCOS
On the western wall, "Three Coconuts" refers to trees on nearby Long Caye. The sandy bottom slopes from about 30 feet to about 40 feet deep before it plunges downard. Overhangs here are common features, and sponges and soft corals adorn the walls. Another fish lover's paradise, Tres Cocos does not have the outstanding coral formations you'll see at several other dives in the area, but who cares? There's a rainbow of marine life all about. Turtles, monrays, jacks, coral, shrimp, cowfish, rays, and angelfish are among the actors on this colorful stage.
SILVER CAVES
The shoals of silversides (small gleaming minnows) that gave this western atoll site its name are gone. But Silver Caves is still impressive an enjoyable. The coral formations are riddled with large crevices and caves that cut clear through the reef. As you enter the water above the sandy slope where most boats anchor, you'll be in about 30 feet of water and surrounded by friendly yellowtail snappes. Once again you'll see the downardly sloping bottom, this rising reef crest, and the stomach-flipping drop into the blue.
WEST POINT
Farther north and about even with the Blue Hole, West Point is well worth the dive. Visibility may be a bit more limited than down south, but it's still very acceptable. The reef face here is stepped. The first drop plunges from about 30 feet to well over 100 feet deep. Anotehr coral and sand slope at that depth extends a short distance before dropping vertically into very deep water. The first and shallow wall has pronounced overhangs and lush coral and sponge growth.
HALF MOON CAYE
Dedicated as a monument in 1982, this crecent-shaped island ws the first protected area in Belize. Half Moon Caye, at the southeast corner of Lighthouse Reef, measures 45 square acres, half of which is a thriving (but endangered) littoral forest; the other half is a stunning palm-dotted beach. This is also the only red-footed booby sanctuary in the Western Hemisphere besisdes the Galapogos. The US $40.00 per person admission fee is sometimes included in your dive boat fee, but sometimes you'll pay it directly to the park ranger when you disembark.
As you approach Half Moon Caye, you'll belive you have arrived at some South Sea paradise. Offshore, boartes use the rusted hull of a wreck, the Elksund, as a landmark in these waters. Its dark hulk looms over the surreal blue and black of the reef world. The caye, eight fee above sea level, was formed by the accretion of coral bits, shells, and calcareous algae. It's divided into two ecosystems: The section on the western side has dense vegetation with rich fertile soil, while the eastern section primarily supports coconut palms and little other vegetation.
Besides offshore waters that are among the clearest in Belize, the caye's beaches are wonderful. You must climb the eight-foot-high central ridge that divides the island and gaze south before you see the striking half-moon beach with its unrelenting surf erupting against limestone rocks. Half Moon Caye's first lighthouse, built in 1820, sits on the eastern side of the caye. Another was built in 1848 and modernized and enlarged in 1931; today the lighthouse runs on solar power.
THE TOWER
Everyone should go to the observation tower, built by the Audubon Society in the zericote forest; climb above the forest canopy for an unbelievable view. Every tree is covered with perched booby birds in some stage of growth or mating. In the right season, you'll have a close-up view of nests where feathered parents tend their hatchlings. The air is filled with boobies comin and going, attempting to make thier usually clumsy landings (those webbed feet werent' designed for landing in trees). Visitors also have a wonderful opportunity to see the other myriad inhabitants of the caye. Magnificient thieving frigates (the symbol of Belize Audubon Society) swoop in to steal eggs, and iguanas crawl around in the branches, also looking for a snack.
DIVING TURNEFFE ISLAND
TURNEFFE ISLAND ATOLL
This is a renowned diving and fishing destination about 30 miles east of Belize City. Most of the Turneffe Islands are small dots of sand mangrove clusters, and swamp, home only to seabirds and wading birds, ospreys, manatees, and crocodiles; a few support small colonies of fishermen and shellfish divers. Only Blackbird Caye and Douglas Caye are of habitable size.
If you're looking to hook a bonefish or permit, miles of crystal flats are alive with the hard-fighting fish. Tarpon are abundant late March-June within the protected creeks and channels throughout the islands. Those who seek larger trophies will find a grand choice of marlin, sailfish, wahoo, groupers, blackfin tuna, and many more.
Most visitors to Turneffe are day-tripping divers based in Ambergris Caye or Caye Caulker; a select few choose to book an island vacation package. There are a couple of upscale resorts and one reserach facility where ocean loving visitors can stay.
If you're looking to hook a bonefish or permit, miles of crystal flats are alive with the hard-fighting fish. Tarpon are abundant late March-June within the protected creeks and channels throughout the islands. Those who seek larger trophies will find a grand choice of marlin, sailfish, wahoo, groupers, blackfin tuna, and many more.
Most visitors to Turneffe are day-tripping divers based in Ambergris Caye or Caye Caulker; a select few choose to book an island vacation package. There are a couple of upscale resorts and one reserach facility where ocean loving visitors can stay.
DIVING TURNEFFE ISLAND
RENDEZVOUS POINT
This is a popular first dive for overnighters out of Ambergris Caye. It provides a great opportunity for divers who haven't been under in a while to get their feet wet again. The depth is about 40-50 feet and affords sufficient bottom time for you to get a good look at a wide variety of reef life. Angelfish, butterfly fish, parrot fish, yellowtails, and morays are represented well. This will whet appetites for the outstanding diving to come.
THE ELBOW
Most divers have heard of the Elbow (just 10 minutes from Turneffe Island Lodge), a point of coral that juts out into the ocean. This now famous dive site offers a steep, sloping drop-off covered with the tube sponges and deep-water gorgonians, along with shoals of snappers (sometimes numbering in the hundreds) and other pelagic creatures. Predators such as bar jacks, whaoo, and permits cruise the reef, and the drop-off is impressive. Currents sweep the face of the wall most of the time, and they typically run from the north. However, occasionally they reverse or cease all together.
LEFTY'S LEDGE
A short distance farther up the eastern side of the atoll is another dive to excite even those with a lot of bottom time under their weight belts. Lefty's Ledge features dramatic spur-and-groove formations that create a wealth of habitats. Correspondingly, divers will see a head-turning display of undersea life, both reef and pelagic species. Jacks, macherels, permits, and groupers are presnet in impressive numbers. Wrasses, rays, parrot fish, and butterfly fish are evident around the sandy canyons. Cleaning stations are also evident, where you'll see large predators allowing themselves to be groomed by small cleaner shrimp or fish. The dive begins at about 50 feet and the bottom slopes to about 100 feet before dropping off into the blue.
GALES POINT
Another "don't miss" dive, Gales Point is a short distance farther up the eastern side of the atoll. Here the reef juts out into the current at a depth of about 45 feet, slopign to about 100 feet before the drop off. Along the wall and the slope just above it are numerous ledges and cavelike formations. Rays and groupers are especially common here - some say this may be a grouper breeding area. Corals and sponges are everywhere in numerous varieites.
SAYONARA
On teh leeward, or eastern side of the atoll, the wreck of the Sayonara, a tender sunk by Dave Bennett of Turneffe Island Lodge, lies in about 30 feet of water. Close by is a sloping ledge with interesting tunnels and spur-and-groove formations. Healthy numbers of reef fish play among the coral, and some barracudas tag along. Large schools of permit are often drawn down by divers bubbles. They give a marvelous three-dimensional quality to the dive as you see them spiraling down from the surface like a squadron of fighter planes.
HOLLYWOOD
A bit farther up the atoll, Hollywood offers divers a realtively shalow dive (30-40 feet) with moderate visibility, unless the currents have reversed. Here you'll find lots of basket and tube sponges and lush coral growth. Many angelfish, parrot fish, frunts, and snappers swim here. Although not as dramatic as an eastern side dive, Hollywood has plenty to see.
This is a popular first dive for overnighters out of Ambergris Caye. It provides a great opportunity for divers who haven't been under in a while to get their feet wet again. The depth is about 40-50 feet and affords sufficient bottom time for you to get a good look at a wide variety of reef life. Angelfish, butterfly fish, parrot fish, yellowtails, and morays are represented well. This will whet appetites for the outstanding diving to come.
THE ELBOW
Most divers have heard of the Elbow (just 10 minutes from Turneffe Island Lodge), a point of coral that juts out into the ocean. This now famous dive site offers a steep, sloping drop-off covered with the tube sponges and deep-water gorgonians, along with shoals of snappers (sometimes numbering in the hundreds) and other pelagic creatures. Predators such as bar jacks, whaoo, and permits cruise the reef, and the drop-off is impressive. Currents sweep the face of the wall most of the time, and they typically run from the north. However, occasionally they reverse or cease all together.
LEFTY'S LEDGE
A short distance farther up the eastern side of the atoll is another dive to excite even those with a lot of bottom time under their weight belts. Lefty's Ledge features dramatic spur-and-groove formations that create a wealth of habitats. Correspondingly, divers will see a head-turning display of undersea life, both reef and pelagic species. Jacks, macherels, permits, and groupers are presnet in impressive numbers. Wrasses, rays, parrot fish, and butterfly fish are evident around the sandy canyons. Cleaning stations are also evident, where you'll see large predators allowing themselves to be groomed by small cleaner shrimp or fish. The dive begins at about 50 feet and the bottom slopes to about 100 feet before dropping off into the blue.
GALES POINT
Another "don't miss" dive, Gales Point is a short distance farther up the eastern side of the atoll. Here the reef juts out into the current at a depth of about 45 feet, slopign to about 100 feet before the drop off. Along the wall and the slope just above it are numerous ledges and cavelike formations. Rays and groupers are especially common here - some say this may be a grouper breeding area. Corals and sponges are everywhere in numerous varieites.
SAYONARA
On teh leeward, or eastern side of the atoll, the wreck of the Sayonara, a tender sunk by Dave Bennett of Turneffe Island Lodge, lies in about 30 feet of water. Close by is a sloping ledge with interesting tunnels and spur-and-groove formations. Healthy numbers of reef fish play among the coral, and some barracudas tag along. Large schools of permit are often drawn down by divers bubbles. They give a marvelous three-dimensional quality to the dive as you see them spiraling down from the surface like a squadron of fighter planes.
HOLLYWOOD
A bit farther up the atoll, Hollywood offers divers a realtively shalow dive (30-40 feet) with moderate visibility, unless the currents have reversed. Here you'll find lots of basket and tube sponges and lush coral growth. Many angelfish, parrot fish, frunts, and snappers swim here. Although not as dramatic as an eastern side dive, Hollywood has plenty to see.
