Gallows Point Reef

Best months: Dec–Apr

Protected Area

Swallow Caye

Why dive here

With 378+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, bull sharks, dolphins, eagle rays and hammerhead sharks - Gallows Point Reef offers some of Turneffe Atoll's richest reef diving. Water ranges 27-30°C, warmest August, September, October.

Best timeDec–Apr

WetsuitA 3mm shorty or thin full wetsuit

Marine lifeBarracuda, Bull Sharks, Dolphins, Eagle Rays and Hammerhead Sharks · 378+ species recorded

Water27-30°C · warmest August, September, October

CharacterReef dive

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

Gallows Point Reef isn't always the first site people talk about in Turneffe, but it’s a real favourite of ours for a reason. You often drop onto a sandy patch around 15 metres, then drift west along a spur-and-groove system that's a classic Belizean setup. What we really love here is the sheer density of the smaller reef fish. Schools of French grunts and porkfish hang so thick in the grooves, they form shimmering walls of silver and yellow that part just enough for you to swim through. Keep an eye out for the concentric nut clams, their iridescent blue mantles flashing from the coral crevices. We’ve also seen some impressive great barracudas here, often just hanging motionless, watching the world go by. The coral itself, with its yellow pencil corals and thin leaf lettuce corals, feels healthy and alive. It's a relaxed drift, generally with a gentle current, making it a good choice for newer divers or anyone wanting a less strenuous dive. It’s perfect for just soaking in the vibrant reef ecosystem, especially if you appreciate the little things as much as the big pelagics.