© Mares

Explore Ambergris Eastern Shore

Diving in Ambergris Eastern Shore offers a thrilling marine adventure, making it a must-visit destination for enthusiasts. The eastern coast of Ambergris Caye boasts over 40 vibrant dive sites, each revealing unique underwater landscapes. While shore diving isn't an option, the sites are just a brief speedboat ride away, ensuring easy access to this underwater paradise.

The area is renowned for its spur-and-groove reefs, a geological wonder where coral gardens flourish alongside deep canyons and swim-throughs. These sites, such as Palmero Canyon and Mexico Canyons, are brimming with marine life, from colorful tropical fish to the occasional eagle ray gliding by. Seasonal visitors might also spot nurse sharks or the majestic sea turtles that grace these waters.

Divers can explore a variety of environments, including the intricate undercuts and sand flats that make each dive an exploration of its own. Whether on a boat or liveaboard, each dive promises a new discovery, bringing you closer to the vibrant heart of the Caribbean Sea. Ambergris Eastern Shore is a treasure trove for those seeking both adventure and tranquility beneath the waves.

Dive Activity

Diving in Ambergris Eastern Shore

The Ambergris Eastern Shore is a paradise for dive enthusiasts, offering a diverse range of underwater experiences. Notable wreck dives include the Great Blue Hole, famous for its circular shape and dramatic depth, teeming with stalactites and reef sharks. The Hol Chan Marine Reserve offers popular shore dives, where snorkelers and divers can encounter vibrant coral gardens and a rich array of marine life, including the curious green moray eels.

For those interested in unique underwater activities, night dives reveal a different world where bioluminescent creatures illuminate the depths. Seasonal phenomena, like the spawning of groupers, offer captivating spectacles. Ambergris provides a balance between shore dives accessible to casual tourists and liveaboard options for those seeking extended adventures. The area’s rich biodiversity and varied diving opportunities make it a must-visit destination for dive travelers.

Dive Centers

Dive Sites

The best Months to Dive in Ambergris Eastern Shore

The Ambergris Eastern Shore offers diving opportunities year-round, with conditions varying slightly by season. Water temperatures typically range from 26°C–29°C/79°F–84°F, providing comfortable diving conditions at any time. Visibility is generally excellent, often exceeding 30 meters/98 feet, allowing divers to fully appreciate the vibrant marine life and coral reefs.

Weather factors like wind and currents may affect diving, particularly from November to February when northerly winds can bring cooler temperatures and rougher seas. However, these conditions are usually manageable, and diving remains possible throughout the year. The most favorable period for diving is from March to October, when the seas are calmer and the weather is more predictable.

Top Wildlife Sightings in Ambergris Eastern Shore

The Ambergris Eastern Shore, known for its vibrant marine life, hosts a variety of common reef fish including parrotfish, angelfish, and butterflyfish. These species are abundant year-round, making them a regular sight for divers exploring the colorful coral reefs. Grouper and snapper also populate the area, adding to the rich underwater biodiversity.

Seasonal highlights include the arrival of nurse sharks and spotted eagle rays, typically seen from May to September. These larger species are more frequent near the reef drop-offs and sandy bottom areas, where divers also have the chance to spot hawksbill and green sea turtles. The likelihood of encountering these majestic creatures increases during their respective breeding seasons, providing an unforgettable experience for marine enthusiasts.

Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 200

Moray Eel

Moray Eel

119 Sightings
J
13
F
10
M
11
A
11
M
13
J
10
J
11
A
6
S
7
O
2
N
12
D
13

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 27

Barracuda

Barracuda

114 Sightings
J
6
F
12
M
11
A
10
M
8
J
12
J
14
A
10
S
11
O
11
N
3
D
6
Green Turtle

Green Turtle

89 Sightings
J
0
F
4
M
7
A
15
M
3
J
19
J
14
A
7
S
0
O
7
N
4
D
9
Loggerhead Turtle

Loggerhead Turtle

64 Sightings
J
2
F
0
M
8
A
24
M
14
J
6
J
8
A
0
S
0
O
1
N
1
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 600

Wrasse

Wrasse

46 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
1
M
8
J
7
J
8
A
3
S
8
O
2
N
5
D
4
Hawksbill Turtle

Hawksbill Turtle

29 Sightings
J
8
F
0
M
3
A
2
M
1
J
5
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
5
N
4
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 25

Eagle Ray

Eagle Ray

21 Sightings
J
0
F
2
M
4
A
3
M
0
J
4
J
1
A
0
S
1
O
2
N
0
D
4

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 300

Octopus

Octopus

13 Sightings
J
0
F
2
M
0
A
0
M
4
J
1
J
1
A
1
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
4

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 2

Nurse Shark

Nurse Shark

387 Sightings
J
35
F
30
M
54
A
33
M
30
J
37
J
43
A
30
S
16
O
21
N
25
D
33

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 100

Parrotfish

Parrotfish

197 Sightings
J
15
F
16
M
18
A
21
M
20
J
25
J
22
A
13
S
13
O
6
N
13
D
15

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 90

Angelfish

Angelfish

187 Sightings
J
17
F
23
M
7
A
15
M
13
J
25
J
26
A
14
S
17
O
9
N
11
D
10

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 12

Lionfish

Lionfish

179 Sightings
J
14
F
18
M
17
A
16
M
15
J
19
J
18
A
12
S
15
O
12
N
10
D
13

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 80

Stingrays

Stingrays

140 Sightings
J
8
F
18
M
11
A
14
M
14
J
16
J
12
A
15
S
6
O
6
N
6
D
14

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 110

Snapper

Snapper

132 Sightings
J
5
F
20
M
3
A
12
M
17
J
14
J
18
A
5
S
10
O
7
N
12
D
9

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 130

Butterfly Fish

Butterfly Fish

129 Sightings
J
18
F
19
M
3
A
5
M
9
J
9
J
17
A
13
S
10
O
5
N
10
D
11

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 250

Grouper/Basslets

Grouper/Basslets

127 Sightings
J
7
F
13
M
8
A
7
M
11
J
17
J
26
A
13
S
11
O
7
N
7
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 60

Spiny Lobster

Spiny Lobster

71 Sightings
J
7
F
2
M
9
A
1
M
10
J
7
J
4
A
4
S
8
O
7
N
6
D
6

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 130

Pufferfish

Pufferfish

68 Sightings
J
4
F
7
M
3
A
7
M
10
J
10
J
9
A
4
S
5
O
4
N
2
D
3

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 350

Damselfish

Damselfish

63 Sightings
J
0
F
6
M
3
A
2
M
13
J
3
J
19
A
4
S
4
O
0
N
5
D
4

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 85

Surgeonfish

Surgeonfish

61 Sightings
J
3
F
12
M
2
A
4
M
0
J
5
J
16
A
4
S
5
O
3
N
4
D
3

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 40

Triggerfish

Triggerfish

53 Sightings
J
2
F
5
M
4
A
6
M
4
J
1
J
11
A
1
S
7
O
1
N
3
D
8

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 55

Lobster

Lobster

47 Sightings
J
5
F
3
M
3
A
6
M
3
J
0
J
8
A
4
S
3
O
3
N
4
D
5
Blacktip Reef Shark

Blacktip Reef Shark

42 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
9
A
6
M
1
J
2
J
3
A
4
S
1
O
2
N
6
D
7

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 40

Jackfish

Jackfish

40 Sightings
J
2
F
6
M
2
A
1
M
7
J
2
J
5
A
7
S
3
O
1
N
2
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3

Trumpetfish

Trumpetfish

40 Sightings
J
0
F
7
M
4
A
0
M
2
J
2
J
9
A
3
S
5
O
0
N
3
D
5

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 60

Squirrelfish

Squirrelfish

39 Sightings
J
2
F
3
M
0
A
5
M
8
J
0
J
3
A
1
S
5
O
4
N
5
D
3

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 7000

Crab

Crab

36 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
4
A
3
M
1
J
4
J
0
A
3
S
3
O
6
N
0
D
11

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3400

Shrimp

Shrimp

27 Sightings
J
3
F
0
M
0
A
3
M
5
J
5
J
0
A
2
S
5
O
3
N
1
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 150

Sweetlips and Grunts

Sweetlips and Grunts

27 Sightings
J
2
F
3
M
4
A
0
M
4
J
2
J
3
A
4
S
0
O
5
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 28

Clownfish

Clownfish

23 Sightings
J
3
F
3
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
1
J
5
A
0
S
4
O
5
N
0
D
1
Whitetip Reef Shark

Whitetip Reef Shark

19 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
3
A
2
M
2
J
3
J
1
A
4
S
0
O
1
N
2
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 90

Goatfish

Goatfish

17 Sightings
J
2
F
1
M
0
A
1
M
2
J
3
J
5
A
2
S
0
O
1
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 8

Bannerfish

Bannerfish

15 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
2
J
0
J
4
A
3
S
0
O
3
N
2
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 60

Soldierfish

Soldierfish

15 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
3
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
2
A
5
S
0
O
2
N
1
D
0
Grey Reef Shark

Grey Reef Shark

13 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
4
A
0
M
4
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
2
O
0
N
3
D
0