Dive· Turneffe Atoll· Other Caribbean

Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve

17° 24.5′ N · 87° 50.8′ W

The largest atoll in Belize and in the whole Mesoamerican Reef: about 30 miles of reef wall enclosing more than 150 mangrove and sand cayes, flats full of bonefish and permit, and dive sites from gentle leeward slopes to the current-swept Elbow. Position is the reserve boundary centroid on OpenStreetMap.

Belize Barrier Reef

Practical

Declared a marine reserve on 22 November 2012 and co-managed since 2013 by the Turneffe Atoll Sustainability Association (TASA) (Wikipedia). Bareboat charters may not go outside the barrier reef without a local skipper (Moorings). There are no stores or fuel on the atoll and the resorts are self-sufficient; Turneffe Island Lodge at the south tip does not welcome visiting yachts, and Turneffe Flats on the northeast side takes fishing guests by arrangement (Ventura Yacht Agency). Dive buoys are mostly too small for yachts; never let anchor or chain touch coral. The Belize Coast Guard keeps a permanent base on the atoll. Most established dive sites are at the southern end; the western reef north of the Elbow suits novices, the southeast end has walls, wrecks and current (VYA). Scuba diving requires a licensed Belize dive guide. Fishing: bonefish, permit and tarpon are catch-and-release, licence required.

Best for

Wall diving, flats fishing and empty mangrove anchorages

Season

Avoid northers (Nov-Mar) and hurricane season (Jun-Nov)

Nearby