Page 252 - Central America

Turneffe Atoll is the only place in the world where you can observe
the rare white-spotted toad fish. Dive sites include Turneffe Elbow
South, Black Beauty, Myrtle Turtle, Front Porch, and Calabash, the
choice of sites depending on the weather conditions. Turneffe fea-
tures spectacular diving suitable for every level of diver. Along the
western reef line north of the Elbow, novice divers can feel comfort-
able on shallow reefs, removed from the steep and deep walls so
typical elsewhere.
Current and walls make the diving here challenging but great for
finding large pelagics. Other types of tropical marine life common-
ly viewed include eagle rays, playful dolphins, turtles, huge green
morays, giant jewfish, nurse sharks, reef sharks, trunkfish, grouper,
snapper, permit, and horse-eye jacks. It has often been described as
a myriad of different dive destinations all bundled into one.
The depth of the water and distance from the mainland of Belize
result in excellent underwater visibility, normally in excess of 100
feet. The numerous mangrove islands and tidal zones support the
Caribbean’s most abundant collection of marine life. The secluded,
unspoiled environment of the atolls is a far cry from the major dive
centers and other popular fish destinations of the Caribbean. It is
truly one of the last frontiers for divers and anglers alike. The entire
eastern shoreline of Turneffe is protected by a continuous vertical
reef approximately 35 miles (56 km) long. The dive boats arrive at
the Turneffe Islands about mid-morning and usually dive at a site
not far from Rendezvous Cut.
Afterwards the boats enter through the cut and anchor long enough
to allow the passengers a light lunch before proceeding through
Eastern Cut and across to Lighthouse Reef. On the west side of the
atoll, spur and groove formations dominate the underwater scenery
with too many wide grooves of sand and few spurs of coral. Large