Samabaj - Lake Atitlan

Diving Samabaj is less about big fish and more about history. Below 15 meters, an ancient Mayan ceremonial site sits preserved in the cool, dark freshwater, offering a unique archaeological dive. It's an advanced dive, best suited for those comfortable with deeper freshwater conditions and low visibility, keen to explore submerged ruins rather than vibrant reefs. Look out for the resident Mozambique mouth-breeder, though your focus will likely be on the stone structures.

Location
Lake Atitlan, Guatemala, Central America
Coordinates
14.670000, -91.220000
Maximum Depth
15-30m
Difficulty
Advanced

Best Time to Dive in Lake Atitlan

The warmest water temperatures in Lake Atitlan occur in January, averaging 28.4°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 28.4°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 28.4°C (air: 17.9°C)
  • February: 28.4°C (air: 18.3°C)
  • March: 28.4°C (air: 18.7°C)
  • April: 28.4°C (air: 19.2°C)
  • May: 28.4°C (air: 19.4°C)
  • June: 28.4°C (air: 18.7°C)
  • July: 28.4°C (air: 19.3°C)
  • August: 28.4°C (air: 19.2°C)
  • September: 28.4°C (air: 18.9°C)
  • October: 28.4°C (air: 18.8°C)
  • November: 28.4°C (air: 18.3°C)
  • December: 28.4°C (air: 17.8°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Lake Atitlan

Nearest Dive Centres to Samabaj

Marine Life in Lake Atitlan

Home to 2 recorded species including 1 other, 1 reef fish.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Samabaj

Based on average water temperature of 28.4°C.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 28°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