Explore Turneffe Atoll
Turneffe Atoll, nestled off the Belizean coast in the Caribbean Sea, offers a diving experience like no other with its status as the largest marine protected area in the region since 2012. Encompassing over 400 mangrove islands, Turneffe is a thriving hub of marine biodiversity, inviting divers to explore its sparkling turquoise waters. With more than 70 dive sites, the atoll caters to various diving styles, from resort diving to liveaboard adventures. The diverse environments, including vibrant reefs, dramatic walls, and intriguing wrecks, promise a wealth of underwater wonders. Among the must-visit sites is The Elbow, known for its swift currents that draw large pelagic species, offering exhilarating encounters with the ocean's giants. The Aquarium is another captivating spot where divers feel like they're swimming in a living marine exhibit, surrounded by countless reef fish in crystal-clear waters. For history enthusiasts, Triple Anchors provides an enchanting dive with its stunning coral formations and the scattered remains of an 18th-century vessel. These unique features make Turneffe Atoll a standout destination for divers seeking rich marine life and unforgettable underwater experiences.
Dive Activity
Diving in Turneffe Atoll
There is a large variety of dives here, and is accessible to divers with all interests and levels of diving. Whether accessed from a liveaboard, day trip boats or from shore, there are some spectacular sites. This area has many impressive wall dives, lagoons, coral gardens, a coral covered wreck and drift dives. The mangroves provide biodiversity-rich dives with a unique backdrop. There are also opportunities to take dive courses here.
Top Wildlife Sightings in Turneffe Atoll
The mangroves here provide the perfect habitat for a large array of reef fish, so the size of the schools of fish here is truly impressive. There are multiple species which can be spotted here including Eagle Rays, Sea Turtles, schools of Barracuda, Snappers and Jacks, Moray Eels. Some of the larger species which can swim by include Carribean Reef Sharks, Nurse Sharks, Blacktip Reef Sharks, Hammerhead Sharks and a pod of Bottlenose Dolphins. Two other unique species are American Saltwater crocodiles and Manatees. The topography, which is covered in an array of soft and hard corals, provide a colourful background for these species.
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
Alamy-WaterFrame
300 Sightings
J
20
F
29
M
49
A
27
M
24
J
26
J
45
A
9
S
4
O
30
N
19
D
18
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 27
iStock-Global_Pics
Barracuda
144 Sightings
J
14
F
10
M
25
A
21
M
11
J
16
J
14
A
10
S
2
O
12
N
9
D
0
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 25
iStock/Juliosanjuan
Eagle Ray
143 Sightings
J
8
F
19
M
16
A
16
M
13
J
17
J
30
A
0
S
0
O
24
N
0
D
0
Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography
Green Turtle
90 Sightings
J
5
F
11
M
16
A
16
M
11
J
0
J
14
A
0
S
4
O
0
N
0
D
13
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 600
iStock/ultramarinfoto
Wrasse
22 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
22
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0
iStock-ShaneGross
Loggerhead Turtle
17 Sightings
J
6
F
0
M
0
A
11
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
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.: 12
iStock/cinoby
Lionfish
229 Sightings
J
16
F
23
M
35
A
23
M
17
J
12
J
32
A
13
S
0
O
27
N
12
D
19
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 100
iStock-burnsboxco
Parrotfish
167 Sightings
J
13
F
8
M
38
A
22
M
10
J
10
J
35
A
8
S
0
O
13
N
10
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
Shutterstock-Rich Carey
Angelfish
151 Sightings
J
10
F
7
M
34
A
18
M
17
J
15
J
20
A
15
S
2
O
13
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.: 2
AdobeStock-hakbak
Nurse Shark
147 Sightings
J
10
F
0
M
19
A
0
M
12
J
21
J
23
A
26
S
5
O
21
N
0
D
10
The best Months to Dive in Turneffe Atoll
Belize has two seasons, the dry season; January to May and the rainy season; June to December. The subtropical temperatures here fluctuate between 24°C–27°C/75°F–81°F. The visibility ranges between 15 meters/49 feet in the rainy season up to 30 plus meters/98 plus feet in the dry season. The water temperatures here remain pleasant between 26°C–29°C/79°F–84°F. March to June Killer and Pilot whales migrate through, July/August is Sea Turtle Season.
