Cypress Garden - Ambergris Caye

Cypress Garden, tucked within the Hol Chan Marine Reserve off Ambergris Caye, is a solid second dive. The reef starts shallow, sloping down to about 30 meters, and it’s a site where you genuinely see a lot of activity. We’ve bumped into more than a few nurse sharks here, along with a couple of green turtles just cruising the reef top. Look for the undercuts; they’re little homes for spotted drums, arrow crabs, and all sorts of shrimp, and you’ll often find bluehead wrasse busy at their cleaning stations. The coral growth is interesting too, with thin leaf lettuce corals and some less common pillar corals pushing up amongst the sea rods and fans. Expect plenty of yellowtails and French grunts schooling about. It’s a site that always delivers a good, relaxed dive.

Location
Ambergris Caye, Belize, Central America
Coordinates
17.750000, -88.033300
Type
reef
Maximum Depth
shallow to 100+ feet

Marine Protected Area: Caye Caulker

Best Time to Dive in Ambergris Caye

The warmest water temperatures in Ambergris Caye occur in September, averaging 30.3°C. The coolest conditions are in February at 26.8°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 26.9°C
  • February: 26.8°C
  • March: 27.2°C
  • April: 28.0°C
  • May: 29.1°C
  • June: 29.5°C
  • July: 29.7°C
  • August: 30.1°C
  • September: 30.3°C
  • October: 29.9°C
  • November: 28.8°C
  • December: 27.9°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Ambergris Caye

Nearest Dive Centres to Cypress Garden

Marine Life in Ambergris Caye

Home to 193 recorded species including 156 reef fish, 19 hard corals, 7 other, 3 sharks & rays, 2 whales & dolphins, 2 jellyfish.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Cypress Garden

Based on average water temperature of 28.7°C, currents 5 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 29°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the maximum depth for diving at Cypress Spring and how far does its cavern extend?
At Cypress Garden, divers can explore depths ranging from shallow areas to over 100 feet. The provided information describes various undercuts that provide habitat for small invertebrates, but does not specify the presence or extent of any caverns at this dive site.
What kind of marine life and underwater features can divers expect to see at Cypress Spring?
At Cypress Garden, divers can expect to encounter an abundance of marine life, including nurse sharks, sea turtles, black and tiger groupers, and big yellowtails. The site features interesting coral growth such as flower corals, thin leaf lettuce corals, and rare pillar corals, alongside plentiful sea rods and sea fans. Divers can also explore various undercuts that provide habitat for small invertebrates like arrow crabs and shrimps, and observe cleaning stations with bluehead wrasse.
Is Cypress Spring considered a difficult dive site, or is it suitable for divers of all experience levels?
Cypress Garden is classified as an intermediate difficulty dive site. While it offers a rich experience, its classification suggests it is best suited for divers with some prior experience rather than those of all experience levels.
What are the best times of year to dive at Cypress Spring for optimal conditions and visibility?
The provided data for Cypress Garden does not include specific information regarding the best times of year for optimal diving conditions or visibility. For general information on when to dive, you might consult our When to Dive resource.
What scuba diving certifications are required or recommended to dive at Cypress Spring, especially for exploring the cavern?
The provided data for Cypress Garden does not specify any required or recommended scuba diving certifications. While the site features various undercuts, there is no mention of caverns requiring specialized certification. Divers should always ensure they are appropriately certified for the depth and conditions of their chosen dive.
What are the typical water conditions and currents like at Cypress Spring?
The provided data for Cypress Garden does not detail typical water conditions or currents. It describes the site as a reef within the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, suitable as a good second dive if done shallow. For more general information about diving in Belize, please explore our country pages.