A Turneffe Atoll dive trip from San Pedro takes you beyond the barrier reef to one of Belize’s offshore atolls for a full day of wall diving. It is for certified divers who have already enjoyed the local reef and want bigger walls, open water and a chance at eagle rays.
White Sands Dive Shop runs Turneffe as one of our full-day atoll packages, alongside the Great Blue Hole. Below you will find what the day includes, how The Elbow differs from Turneffe North, how Turneffe compares with the Blue Hole, and how to get ready.
What is included in a Turneffe Atoll dive trip from San Pedro?
Quick answer: Our Turneffe Atoll trip is a full-day excursion with three dives at Turneffe, visiting The Elbow or Turneffe North. Continental breakfast, lunch, snacks and drinks are included. It suits certified divers, and The Elbow at the atoll’s southern tip is known as an advanced site with walls from 60 to 100 feet.
What is Turneffe Atoll?
An atoll is a ring of coral reef around a shallow lagoon, rising from deep water. Turneffe is one of the offshore atolls that sit east of the Belize Barrier Reef, part of what the Coral Reef Alliance calls the largest barrier reef system in the Western Hemisphere. That system still holds some of the last healthy stands of staghorn and elkhorn coral.
The Belize Tourism Board describes steep drop-offs around Turneffe, with a gentler slope on the leeward side that suits snorkeling and easier dives. It also lists a small cargo and passenger boat, the Sayonara, that sank on the western side in 1985.
Is Turneffe a World Heritage site?
No, although some travel pages say so. UNESCO lists seven protected areas in the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, including the Blue Hole and Half Moon Caye at Lighthouse Reef, and Turneffe is not one of them. Its value to divers is the same either way: healthy walls far from the busier local sites.
The Elbow and Turneffe North: where we dive
Our atoll packages name two Turneffe destinations. Which one you visit depends on the day, the group and the conditions, so ask us when you book.
The Elbow Turneffe dive
The Elbow sits at the southernmost tip of the atoll. The tourism board’s guide to The Elbow dive site calls it an advanced diver’s hotspot, with depths of 60 to 100 feet along the wall. Large groups of eagle rays visit, and big gorgonian sea fans grow on the wall.
Because a point like this sticks out into open water, currents can run along it. Good buoyancy and steady air use make the dive far more enjoyable, which is why we suggest building experience first.
Turneffe North dive
Turneffe North takes the day to the upper end of the atoll. The tourism board notes that the atoll’s walls suit divers of all skill levels and that its leeward reefs carry tube sponges, soft corals and many reef fish. It is a good choice when you want atoll diving without The Elbow’s reputation.
Turneffe vs the Blue Hole vs the local reef
Many visitors only have time for one long day out. This side-by-side view shows how Turneffe fits next to our other diving from San Pedro.
| Question | Turneffe Atoll day | Great Blue Hole day | Local barrier reef dives |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where | The Elbow or Turneffe North | The Blue Hole at Lighthouse Reef | The barrier reef off Ambergris Caye |
| Length | Full day | Full day | Morning, leaving at 9:00 |
| Dives | Three | Three | One, two or three tanks |
| Food included | Continental breakfast, lunch, snacks and drinks | Continental breakfast, lunch, snacks and drinks | Not listed; tanks and weights are included |
| Main draw | Walls, eagle rays, sea fans | The famous sinkhole | Easy access and short boat rides |
| Best for | Certified divers ready for walls and open water | Divers who meet the Blue Hole requirements | Every certified diver, plus refresher students |
Divers on forums who have done both often say to do Turneffe as well as the Blue Hole if your trip allows. Read about the other atoll day on our Great Blue Hole day trip page, and check the Blue Hole dive requirements before you choose.
Who the Turneffe trip suits, and how to prepare
This is a trip for certified divers who are comfortable on a boat all day and confident with their buoyancy. If you are newly certified, a few local dives first will make the day far more relaxing.
- Get your dive legs back: rusty divers can start with a scuba refresher on Ambergris Caye or a shallow Hol Chan Marine Reserve dive.
- Build wall skills: the deep and navigation dives in our Advanced Open Water course on Ambergris Caye are a natural lead-in to The Elbow.
- Pack for a long day: sun protection, a warm layer for the ride home, your certification card and logbook.
- Arrange gear early: a BCD, regulator, wetsuit or mask set can be rented if you don’t bring your own.
A long day on the water
Atoll days are long, and much of the time between dives is spent on the boat with your group. Eat the breakfast, drink plenty of water and use the surface intervals to rest. If you get seasick, take your usual remedy before the boat leaves rather than once you feel unwell, and tell us about any concerns when you book.
Want the atoll to yourselves? Our guide to a private dive charter on Ambergris Caye explains private charters and guides. For every other trip we run, see our complete guide to diving Ambergris Caye.
We keep prices off this page because they change. For course costs, see the PADI course prices on our Water Sports page, and email us for the current Turneffe rate.
Diving the atolls with Elbert Greer
White Sands Dive Shop is a 5 Star PADI Dive Facility licensed by the Belize Tourism Board, owned and operated by PADI IDC Staff Instructor Elbert Greer. Learn more in our profile of PADI IDC Staff Instructor Elbert Greer.
Student Vivake K. Bhalla wrote that Elbert “was very friendly and fun, but equally very strict about safety”, a balance that matters on a long day in open water. More notes like his are on our page of letters from Elbert’s dive students.
Turneffe Atoll dive trip from San Pedro: your questions answered
How many dives are on the Turneffe trip?
Three. Our atoll packages are full-day excursions with three dives, and they include continental breakfast, lunch, snacks and drinks.
Is The Elbow at Turneffe an advanced dive?
The Belize Tourism Board calls The Elbow an advanced diver’s hotspot, with depths of 60 to 100 feet at the southern tip of the atoll. Good buoyancy and some recent dives make it far more enjoyable.
Is Turneffe better than the Blue Hole?
They are different days. Turneffe is about walls and marine life, while the Blue Hole is about the famous sinkhole, and many divers do both if they have time.
Is Turneffe Atoll a UNESCO World Heritage site?
No. Turneffe is not one of the seven protected areas in the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System World Heritage listing.
Can I rent gear for the Turneffe trip?
Yes. We rent mask, snorkel and fins, BCDs, regulators and shortie wetsuits. Reserve them when you book your day.
Book your Turneffe Atoll day
Email elbertgreer@fastmail.fm or call 011 (501) 226 2405 with your dates, your certification level and when you last dived. We will tell you which Turneffe day fits your group.