Hugh Parkey Belize Dive Connection - Dive Turneffe Islands

Dive Connection: Turneffe Atoll

Due east of Belize City and minutes beyond the Barrier Reef lies the Turneffe Islands Atoll. The largest of the three atolls located off the country of Belize, Turneffe is made up of 200 plus islands. It is 32 miles long and at its widest point is nearly 10 miles wide. Due to its proximity to the mainland, one would think that the diving there would be more utilized, but in fact, Turneffe is the "forgotten atoll". Dive operators cruise by it on the way to its more famous neighbor Lighthouse Atoll, home of the Great Blue Hole and Halfmoon Caye.

For this very reason, Turneffe has some of the most pristine diving to be found. With over 20 years of experience on the Turneffe Atoll, Hugh Parkey's Belize Dive Connection has over 70 dive sites that are on GPS. This means that in nearly any weather a fantastic dive site can be found. The many mangrove islands that make up the atoll are in fact a tremendous nursery that nourishes many different species of juvenile marine life until they are large enough to make it on their own. This unique biological situation causes the Turneffe Atoll to have some of the most prolific marine life in Belize.

Diving near the Belize Barrier Reef The northwest side of the Turneffe Atoll boasts some spectacular diving. Sites such as Chasbo's Corner, The Terrace, Mandy's Dandy, and Elkin's Bay are samples of sites dived based upon the weather conditions and the group's expertise. Whether shallow dives for certification or wall dives for more experienced divers, our captains select the most appropriate site available each trip. The sites on the northwest side of the atoll average depths on the top of the wall between 30-45 feet with wide spur and groove formations and vertical wall dropping in excess of 100 feet before shelving and dropping again into the deep. An abundance of marine life including schools of Cubera Snapper and diverse population of grouper including Nassau, Tiger and Yellow fin grouper are present. Reef tropical too numerous to count and resident populations of the dainty Spotted Drum and the spectacular Splendid Toadfish are seen regularly. If you keep your eyes sweeping the deep water watch for sightings of Spotted Eagle Rays, Turtles and Sharks including the rare but exciting sightings of Manta Rays and Hammerhead Sharks. This side of the Atoll is protected from periodic bouts of strong easterly and southeasterly winds making it a well protected and ideal dive condition in most weather situations.

In addition, dive sites such as JoJo's Split , LeeEllen's Melons, Corona and Grand Bogue, which are on the east side of the Atoll are available when northerly and northwesterly winds blow in the winter months. The versatility of diving on the Turneffe Atoll is unparalleled. The wall on the east side of the Atoll tends to start a bit deeper in the 45-50 foot range and generally has narrower spur and groove but a sheerer wall face than the west side of the atoll. Sightings of pelagics such as rays, turtles and sharks as well as reef tropical and numerous stands of Yellow Tube Sponges can be seen while diving on the east side of the atoll.