How deep is Gladden Spit?

Gladden Spit ranges from 12 to 30 metres deep (39–98 feet). It is a saltwater site rated as advanced difficulty. Depths vary across the site, so plan your profile to your training and verify conditions locally.

Is Gladden Spit a shore dive or a boat dive?

Gladden Spit is a boat dive — access is by boat rather than from shore. The entry is recorded as a giant-stride entry. The entry area is recorded as exposed to surge. No facilities are recorded at the site, and cell service is recorded as good. Entry details and parking notes, where known, are listed in the access section of this page.

Can beginners dive Gladden Spit?

Gladden Spit is rated as advanced difficulty, which may not suit new divers. Listed depths run from 12 to 30 metres (39–98 feet). Access is by boat, with the entry recorded as a giant-stride entry. Consider your experience level, conditions, and local guidance before planning.

When is the best time to dive Gladden Spit?

March-June, around the full moon (2 days before to ~10 days after), when snapper spawn and whale sharks gather. Conditions vary, so check the latest reports and forecasts on the dive site page before your trip.

What will I see at Gladden Spit?

Divers at Gladden Spit in Belize commonly report sightings of Caribbean reef shark, Cubera snapper, Great barracuda, Horse-eye jack, and Dog snapper. Great barracuda and Horse-eye jack are recorded as common sightings, while Cubera snapper and Dog snapper are seasonal, while Caribbean reef shark is reported only occasionally. Marine life varies by season and conditions—check the site page for recent diver observations and photos.

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AdvancedBoat entry

Gladden Spit

Stann Creek, Belize

AOW suggested12–30 m depthBoat entryRash guard or 2mm shorty typical

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

Gladden Spit at a glance

Gladden Spit is an advanced boat dive site in Stann Creek, Belize with depths of 12–30 m (39–98 ft). Typically most favorable Aug · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Caribbean reef shark, Cubera snapper, and Great barracuda. Recent reports put the water around 31°C (87°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Marine model · graded 1h ago

0.5 mwaves — under a meter expected

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 31°C · seasonal avg 31°C

Site hazards: Long boat ride (~22 miles from Placencia) · Possible current · Crowded boats during spawning aggregations

All 4 hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Best: Thu

Fri12:00–18:00

Sat7:00–18:00

Sun6:00–17:00

Mon8:00–18:00

Tue6:00–18:00

Wed6:00–18:00

Thu6:00–18:00

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

First light 5:18 · Sunrise 5:39 · Sunset 17:57

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 5.2 km from site · graded 1h ago

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Recent diver reports

Dated firsthand observations from divers — not current conditions.

No diver reports for this site yet. — one dated observation helps every diver after you.

Dived here today — did the forecast match?

What Divers Say

Known for: Great barracuda, Horse-eye jack

Best time: March-June, around the full moon (2 days before to ~10 days after), when snapper spawn and whale sharks gather.

Based on community reviews and site data. Conditions vary — always verify before diving.

Best months, historically

What conditions have historically been typical at this site, month by month — not a forecast.

Jan86%27°C0.9 m
Feb80%27°C1.0 m
Mar82%28°C1.0 m
Apr77%28°C1.0 m
May86%30°C0.9 m
Jun72%30°C1.0 m
Jul82%30°C1.0 m
Aug99%30°C0.7 m
Sep98%31°C0.6 m
Oct98%30°C0.6 m
Nov87%28°C0.8 m
Dec82%27°C0.9 m

August hastypically had the largest share of favorable days here. Conditions vary year to year — this is historical context, not a forecast.

Based on 3 years of archive data. Bar height shows the share of days each month whose conditions have historically scored favorably.

Marine life seen at this site

Species noted at this site — not a promise of what you’ll encounter.

Species seen here

Fills & rentals nearby

No dive shops mapped within 25 km. Know one? Add it to the map.

Data updated June 2026

Site details

Gladden Spit is a promontory of the barrier reef about 22 miles off Placencia where the reef drops steeply into deep water. Around the full moons of spring, huge cubera and dog snapper aggregate to spawn, drawing whale sharks that rise to feed on the egg clouds - the reason for the site's world fame. Dives are conducted in mid-water no deeper than about 18-30m in regulated groups; sightings are seasonal and never guaranteed.

boatdriftwall

Open-water blue-water diving with no bottom reference (whale shark dives are mid-water)

Long boat ride (~22 miles from Placencia)

Possible current

Crowded boats during spawning aggregations

Reviews

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