HMS TRIUMVIRATE - Turneffe Atoll

The HMS Triumvirate isn't your typical Belize dive. Forget deep, intact wrecks – this is history scattered shallow, a testament to a brutal 1787 hurricane. We love it because it’s a living museum, less about penetration and more about discovery. At a mere 1m depth, it’s a snorkel or shallow dive paradise, perfect for those days when you want to truly slow down and examine the details. What you'll find here are the distributed remains of an English sailing vessel, timbers and ballast stones lying across a sandy bottom. The wreck isn't dramatic in height, but the sheer spread of it is impressive, and our favourite part is seeing how the reef has begun to reclaim these remnants. Look closely: you’ll spot tiny blennies peering from crevices in encrusted wood, and schools of juvenile fish darting amongst the ballast. It's a site that suits anyone interested in maritime history or those who appreciate the subtle beauty of a reef slowly incorporating human artifacts. Come prepared to spend time hovering, observing the intricate dance between decaying wood and new life. It’s an easy, rewarding experience, especially when the sun is high and illuminates every detail.

Location: Turneffe Atoll, Belize, Central America
Coordinates: 17.550833, -88.075000
Type: wreck
Maximum Depth: 1m

Marine Protected Area: St. George's Caye Cemetery

Best Time to Dive in Turneffe Atoll

The warmest water temperatures in Turneffe Atoll occur in January, averaging 27.4°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 27.4°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

January: 27.4°C (air: 25.8°C)
February: 27.4°C (air: 25.7°C)
March: 27.4°C (air: 26.5°C)
April: 27.4°C (air: 27.3°C)
May: 27.4°C (air: 28.1°C)
June: 27.4°C (air: 28.4°C)
July: 27.4°C (air: 28.4°C)
August: 27.4°C (air: 28.4°C)
September: 27.4°C (air: 28.4°C)
October: 27.4°C (air: 27.9°C)
November: 27.4°C (air: 26.7°C)
December: 27.4°C (air: 26.0°C)

Nearest Dive Centres to HMS TRIUMVIRATE

Marine Life in Turneffe Atoll

Home to 383 recorded species including 318 reef fish, 27 hard corals, 14 sharks & rays, 6 whales & dolphins, 5 other, 2 jellyfish.

Notable Species

Cowfish (Tursiops truncatus) - Whales & Dolphins
Mustard hill coral (Porites astreoides) - Hard Corals
Blue Doctor (Acanthurus coeruleus) - Reef Fish
Massive Starlet Coral (Siderastrea siderea) - Hard Corals
Dark Green Parrotfish (Sparisoma viride) - Reef Fish
Gutong (Scarus iseri) - Reef Fish
Gutong (Sparisoma aurofrenatum) - Reef Fish
French grunt (Haemulon flavolineatum) - Reef Fish
Barber (Acanthurus bahianus) - Reef Fish
Sheephead (Microspathodon chrysurus) - Reef Fish
Thin leaf lettuce coral (Agaricia tenuifolia) - Hard Corals
Elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata) - Hard Corals
Great star coral (Montastraea cavernosa) - Hard Corals
Butterfly (Chaetodon capistratus) - Reef Fish
Cola (Ocyurus chrysurus) - Reef Fish
Finger Coral (Porites porites) - Hard Corals
Grunt (Haemulon plumierii) - Reef Fish
Graysby (Cephalopholis cruentata) - Reef Fish
Grooved brain coral (Diploria labyrinthiformis) - Hard Corals
Schoolmaster (Lutjanus apodus) - Reef Fish

Recommended Packing List for HMS TRIUMVIRATE

Based on average water temperature of 27.4°C.

Shorty or Rashguard - warm 27°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