How deep is South Water Caye?

South Water Caye ranges from 5 to 30 metres deep (16–98 feet). It is a saltwater site rated as intermediate difficulty. Depths vary across the site, so plan your profile to your training and verify conditions locally.

Is South Water Caye a shore dive or a boat dive?

South Water Caye 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 moderately 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 South Water Caye?

South Water Caye is rated as intermediate difficulty, which may not suit new divers. Listed depths run from 5 to 30 metres (16–98 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 South Water Caye?

Year-round; calmest April-June. Conditions vary, so check the latest reports and forecasts on the dive site page before your trip.

What will I see at South Water Caye?

Divers at South Water Caye in Belize commonly report sightings of Hawksbill turtle, Nassau grouper, Great barracuda, Green moray eel, and Queen angelfish. Great barracuda, Green moray eel, and Queen angelfish are recorded as common sightings, while Hawksbill turtle and Nassau grouper are reported only occasionally. Marine life varies by season and conditions—check the site page for recent diver observations and photos.

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IntermediateBoat entry

South Water Caye

Stann Creek, Belize

Open Water suggestedWall drop-off in places5–30 m depthBoat entryRash guard or 2mm shorty typical

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

South Water Caye at a glance

South Water Caye is an intermediate boat dive site in Stann Creek, Belize with depths of 5–30 m (16–98 ft). Typically most favorable Sep · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Hawksbill turtle, Nassau grouper, and Great barracuda. Recent reports put the water around 31°C (88°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Marine model · graded 13h 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: Wall drop-off in places · Possible current on the outer reef

All 2 hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Best: Fri

Fri6:00–18:00

Sat6:00–18:00

Sun6:00–18:00

Mon10:00–18:00

Tue6:00–18:00

Wed6:00–18:00

Thu—

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

First light 5:18 · Sunrise 5:40 · Sunset 17:57

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 5.4 km from site · graded 13h 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, Green moray eel, Queen angelfish

Best time: Year-round; calmest April-June.

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.

Jan80%27°C0.9 m
Feb74%27°C0.9 m
Mar84%28°C0.9 m
Apr77%28°C0.9 m
May94%30°C0.8 m
Jun77%30°C0.9 m
Jul86%30°C0.9 m
Aug97%31°C0.6 m
Sep98%31°C0.6 m
Oct96%30°C0.6 m
Nov89%28°C0.7 m
Dec81%27°C0.8 m

September 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

South Water Caye sits on the barrier reef off Dangriga in the heart of Belize's second-largest marine reserve, with the reef crest right off the island and a wall dropping from about 12m on the seaward side. Reef profiles range from shallow coral gardens to steep walls hosting moray eels, barracuda, eagle rays, groupers and the occasional larger pelagic. Its mix of easy shallow reef and deeper wall makes it a versatile southern-Belize base.

boatreefwall

Wall drop-off in places

Possible current on the outer reef

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