Hopefully soon tourist will not be allowed to visit the reef at Mexico Rock with out a licensed tour guide.
Legislation has been on the shelf for some time now that will make it law to be with a Belize Tourist Guide to visit Mexico Rocks.
It's shocking how behind the rest of the world Belize is in matters as important as preserving our national treasure. The tourist hurt themselves and damage the reef. Equally as responsible are the resort hotels promoting unattended visit to their guests buy supplying them with kayaks, snorkeling gear and pointing to our Barrier Reef. My shop preforms at least one rescue a month and witness the damage done by collecting,harassing marine life, and walking on bottom by tourist sent out with no instruction, rules or chaperon.
Elbert,
I agree there are always knuckleheads that abuse most every aspect of liberty available. But a broad generalization that all tourists "hurt themselves and damage the reef" is a bit unfair. We've visited San Pedro on 12 separate occasions, also Cayman, Bonaire and other dive locales. We have tremendous respect for preserving the natural habitat AND contributing to the local economy by patronizing licensed tour operators, not the jacklegs with a boat who also want to sell you a bag of weed. I would imagine most of the non-resident owners are responsible as well, given the value of their investment is largely tied to the welfare of the local tourism based economy. Just my $0.02.
Hope to see you in February!
Bob
AmbergrisCaye.com 
