Ambergris Caye, Belize
    Hol Chan

    Punta Arenas (Small Cut)

    Best months: Nov–Mar

    Protected Area

    Hol Chan

    Why dive here

    With 192+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, dolphins, lemon sharks, nurse sharks and sea turtles - Punta Arenas (Small Cut) offers some of Ambergris Caye's richest diving. Water ranges 27-31°C, warmest August, September, October.

    Best timeNov–Mar
    WetsuitA 3mm shorty or thin full wetsuit
    Marine lifeBarracuda, Dolphins, Lemon Sharks, Nurse Sharks and Sea Turtles · 192+ species recorded
    Water27-31°C · warmest August, September, October
    StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

    Punta Arenas, often called the Small Cut, offers a neat little adventure for those who enjoy a swim-through. We’re talking about a sandy-bottomed tunnel that starts wide enough for a couple of divers, then narrows quite a bit. It’s a single-file affair further in, which adds to the fun, though you’ll want to watch your fin kicks to keep that sand from silting things up too much. Even in the darker sections, visibility usually holds up well. We've seen plenty of nurse sharks here, often tucked into crevices, and the occasional green moray eel peeking out. It's a good choice for divers looking for something a bit different from the usual reef drift, without being overly challenging.

    Today05:4417:3411h 50m daylightGolden hour 17:05

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    Conditions

    Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Punta Arenas (Small Cut)

    Punta Arenas (Small Cut) Ocean Conditions

    Monthly averages for Punta Arenas (Small Cut), sourced from Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (17.98, -87.92) (0km away)

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    October Averages

    Sea Temperature

    30°C

    86°F · Range: 28.6–31.5°C

    Current Speed

    4 cm/s

    Direction: N (0°)

    Chlorophyll-a

    0.045 mg/m³

    Very clear (oligotrophic)

    Salinity

    35.42 PSU

    Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU)

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