Named after eighteenth century British pirate Capt. John Glover, this atoll formation 45km southwest of Dangriga has enjoyed as diverse a history as the country which claims its waters her own. Here, a ripple in the earth's crust seventy million years ago created the perfect environmental conditions for reef growth. Over the years, the underwater mountain that began this atoll eroded away, but the corals continued to grow atop one another to create wall drop offs that reach depths of 3000 feet. Today, the atoll resembles a massive oval shaped bowl with its rim just peaking over the surface of the water and has no piracy, trading (except for the occasional bottle of rum), or tectonic action. The UN declared the Belize Barrier Reef a World Heritage Site in 1993 and Glovers Reef Atoll has been singled out as a showcase multi-use marine reserve with fishing activities restricted in 25% of the area. Along the rim on the southeastern reef tract, five coral-derived islands have grown over years of wave action against the reef. On these tiny, isolated islands, the residents and visitors of Glover's find themselves immersed in a paradise so removed from traffic, stress, and shoes that leaving becomes a painful punishment.