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.

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    • 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.

    Dive Sites

    Aqualung
    Turneffe Atoll <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.5)</span>

    Turneffe Atoll (★4.5)

    There are not many actual atolls in the Caribbean and Belize has three of them. Turneffe Atoll is the largest and most visually spectacular of the three.

    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. 

    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
    Moray Eel

    Moray Eel
    323 Sightings
    J
    20
    F
    29
    M
    49
    A
    27
    M
    29
    J
    44
    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.: 25

    iStock/Juliosanjuan
    Eagle Ray

    Eagle Ray
    160 Sightings
    J
    8
    F
    19
    M
    16
    A
    16
    M
    14
    J
    33
    J
    30
    A
    0
    S
    0
    O
    24
    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.: 27

    iStock-Global_Pics
    Barracuda

    Barracuda
    157 Sightings
    J
    14
    F
    10
    M
    25
    A
    21
    M
    13
    J
    36
    J
    14
    A
    10
    S
    2
    O
    12
    N
    0
    D
    0
    Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography
    Green Turtle

    Green Turtle
    94 Sightings
    J
    5
    F
    11
    M
    16
    A
    16
    M
    15
    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

    Wrasse
    33 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    22
    A
    0
    M
    0
    J
    11
    J
    0
    A
    0
    S
    0
    O
    0
    N
    0
    D
    0
    iStock-ShaneGross
    Loggerhead Turtle

    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
    Shutterstock-Andrey Armyagov
    Hawksbill Turtle

    Hawksbill Turtle
    17 Sightings
    J
    5
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    0
    M
    0
    J
    12
    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

    Lionfish
    254 Sightings
    J
    16
    F
    23
    M
    35
    A
    23
    M
    19
    J
    35
    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

    Parrotfish
    187 Sightings
    J
    13
    F
    8
    M
    38
    A
    22
    M
    11
    J
    29
    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

    Angelfish
    170 Sightings
    J
    10
    F
    7
    M
    34
    A
    18
    M
    17
    J
    34
    J
    20
    A
    15
    S
    2
    O
    13
    N
    0
    D
    0
    Show More

    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

    Nurse Shark
    160 Sightings
    J
    10
    F
    0
    M
    19
    A
    0
    M
    16
    J
    30
    J
    23
    A
    26
    S
    5
    O
    21
    N
    0
    D
    10

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

    Total number of species approx.: 250

    Shutterstock-Henry_and_Laura_Whittaker
    Grouper/Basslets

    Grouper/Basslets
    145 Sightings
    J
    5
    F
    7
    M
    24
    A
    17
    M
    14
    J
    28
    J
    25
    A
    7
    S
    0
    O
    18
    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.: 60

    iStock-Global_Pics
    Spiny Lobster

    Spiny Lobster
    92 Sightings
    J
    5
    F
    7
    M
    22
    A
    0
    M
    0
    J
    23
    J
    14
    A
    6
    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.: 130

    Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek
    Butterfly Fish

    Butterfly Fish
    81 Sightings
    J
    5
    F
    0
    M
    20
    A
    0
    M
    12
    J
    15
    J
    17
    A
    10
    S
    2
    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.: 110

    iStock-Rainer von Brandis
    Snapper

    Snapper
    80 Sightings
    J
    7
    F
    0
    M
    21
    A
    0
    M
    0
    J
    19
    J
    17
    A
    6
    S
    0
    O
    10
    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.: 80

    iStock/Extreme-Photographer
    Stingrays

    Stingrays
    79 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    7
    M
    17
    A
    0
    M
    0
    J
    15
    J
    18
    A
    0
    S
    0
    O
    22
    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.: 7000

    iStock-Michael Zeigler
    Crab

    Crab
    66 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    9
    M
    15
    A
    0
    M
    0
    J
    17
    J
    0
    A
    9
    S
    3
    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.: 55

    Shutterstock-RLS Photo
    Lobster

    Lobster
    62 Sightings
    J
    6
    F
    10
    M
    12
    A
    0
    M
    0
    J
    16
    J
    0
    A
    0
    S
    0
    O
    0
    N
    0
    D
    18

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

    Total number of species approx.: 60

    iStock-Global_Pics
    Squirrelfish

    Squirrelfish
    57 Sightings
    J
    5
    F
    0
    M
    19
    A
    0
    M
    0
    J
    13
    J
    10
    A
    7
    S
    3
    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.: 40

    iStock-Hoatzinexp
    Jackfish

    Jackfish
    52 Sightings
    J
    5
    F
    0
    M
    12
    A
    0
    M
    0
    J
    13
    J
    12
    A
    0
    S
    0
    O
    10
    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.: 130

    AdobeStock-JirinaVFR
    Pufferfish

    Pufferfish
    52 Sightings
    J
    7
    F
    8
    M
    15
    A
    0
    M
    0
    J
    10
    J
    10
    A
    0
    S
    2
    O
    0
    N
    0
    D
    0
    AdobeStock-Marc Henauer
    Grey Reef Shark

    Grey Reef Shark
    50 Sightings
    J
    6
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    0
    M
    0
    J
    13
    J
    17
    A
    0
    S
    0
    O
    14
    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.: 3

    Shutterstock_Leo Lorenzo
    Trumpetfish

    Trumpetfish
    48 Sightings
    J
    6
    F
    0
    M
    21
    A
    0
    M
    0
    J
    0
    J
    0
    A
    8
    S
    2
    O
    0
    N
    0
    D
    11
    AdobeStock-Nikolai Sorokin
    Blacktip Reef Shark

    Blacktip Reef Shark
    44 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    0
    M
    0
    J
    0
    J
    16
    A
    8
    S
    0
    O
    20
    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.: 40

    iStock-wrangel
    Triggerfish

    Triggerfish
    39 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    16
    A
    10
    M
    0
    J
    11
    J
    0
    A
    0
    S
    2
    O
    0
    N
    0
    D
    0
    iStock-ShaneGross
    Caribbean Reef Shark

    Caribbean Reef Shark
    35 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    0
    M
    0
    J
    0
    J
    17
    A
    0
    S
    0
    O
    18
    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.: 150

    Shutterstock-aquapix
    Sweetlips and Grunts

    Sweetlips and Grunts
    32 Sightings
    J
    7
    F
    0
    M
    10
    A
    0
    M
    0
    J
    15
    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.: 85

    iStock-mirecca
    Surgeonfish

    Surgeonfish
    28 Sightings
    J
    7
    F
    0
    M
    10
    A
    0
    M
    0
    J
    11
    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.: 350

    Alamy-Andre Seal
    Damselfish

    Damselfish
    22 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    10
    A
    0
    M
    0
    J
    10
    J
    0
    A
    0
    S
    2
    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.: 90

    Shutterstock-Levent Konuk
    Goatfish

    Goatfish
    21 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    10
    A
    0
    M
    0
    J
    11
    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.: 25

    AdobeStock_Vladimir Wrangel
    Boxfish

    Boxfish
    14 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    0
    M
    0
    J
    12
    J
    0
    A
    0
    S
    2
    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.: 3400

    Shutterstock-Shane Gross
    Shrimp

    Shrimp
    13 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    0
    M
    0
    J
    13
    J
    0
    A
    0
    S
    0
    O
    0
    N
    0
    D
    0

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