Tackle Box Canyons - Ambergris Caye
Tackle Box Canyons delivers exactly what the name implies: a maze of deep, narrow cuts through the reef. We found ourselves navigating these vertical walls, often ducking into the darker recesses where lobsters and glassy sweepers huddled. Then you pop out onto the brighter, shallow coral ridges, which feel like a real contrast. It’s a great spot for photographers keen on dramatic reef topography, especially when the light shafts hit those canyons just right. Expect a relaxed dive, good for anyone comfortable maneuvering through confined spaces without touching the walls.
- Location
- Ambergris Caye, Belize, Central America
- Coordinates
- 17.930000, -87.910000
Marine Protected Area: Hol Chan
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
- Amigo s Wreck - 15-30m (wreck)
- Basil Jones Canyons - shallow
- Belize Diving: The Highlight of the Caribbean
- Boca Chica Canyons
- Boca Ciega - 45-100+ feet
- Buena Vista Canyons
- Caroba canyons
- Catalan Rocks
- Caye Caulker Marine Reserve (reef)
- Christ of the abyss - 10-20m (reef)
- Coral Garden (reef)
- Cypress Canyon (wreck)
- Cypress Canyons (reef)
- Cypress Garden - shallow to 100+ feet (reef)
- Daradanellos Cut
Nearest Dive Centres to Tackle Box Canyons
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
- Blue Doctor (Acanthurus coeruleus) - Reef Fish
- Cowfish (Tursiops truncatus) - Whales & Dolphins
- Mustard hill coral (Porites astreoides) - Hard Corals
- Massive Starlet Coral (Siderastrea siderea) - Hard Corals
- Dark Green Parrotfish (Sparisoma viride) - Reef Fish
- French grunt (Haemulon flavolineatum) - Reef Fish
- Gutong (Sparisoma aurofrenatum) - Reef Fish
- Redear Herring (Harengula humeralis) - Reef Fish
- Sheephead (Microspathodon chrysurus) - Reef Fish
- Elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata) - Hard Corals
- Great star coral (Montastraea cavernosa) - Hard Corals
- Barber (Acanthurus bahianus) - Reef Fish
- Yellowtail Parrotfish (Sparisoma rubripinne) - Reef Fish
- Grunt (Haemulon plumierii) - Reef Fish
- Gutong (Scarus iseri) - Reef Fish
- Thin leaf lettuce coral (Agaricia tenuifolia) - Hard Corals
- Butterfly (Chaetodon capistratus) - Reef Fish
- Parrotfish (Thalassoma bifasciatum) - Reef Fish
- Cola (Ocyurus chrysurus) - Reef Fish
- Schoolmaster (Lutjanus apodus) - Reef Fish
Recommended Packing List for Tackle Box Canyons
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