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The Elbow

Turneffe Atoll, Belize
AOW suggestedStrong currents (often around 2 knots)18–42 m (59–138 ft) depthBoat entryRash guard or 2mm shorty typical

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

The Elbow at a glance

The Elbow is an advanced boat dive site in Turneffe Atoll, Belize with depths of 18–42 m (59–138 ft). Typically most favorable Sep · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Spotted eagle ray, Black grouper, and Bull shark. Recent reports put the water around 29°C (85°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

No window today· next: tomorrow 6:00–18:00 · favorable

Forecast for this hour · 19:00 · run 19 h ago
0.6 m (2.0 ft)waves — under a meter expected (waves — about two feet expected)

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 29°C · seasonal avg 30°C ( · Forecast 85°F · seasonal avg 86°F)

Site hazards: Strong currents (often around 2 knots) · Deep wall - depth and gas discipline required · Site can only be dived in suitable conditions

All 4 hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Lightest wind: Thu
SatNo window

0.6 m waves · 11 kn wind (2.1 ft waves · 11 kn wind)

Sun6:00–18:00 favorable

0.7 m waves · 13 kn wind (2.3 ft waves · 13 kn wind)

Mon6:00–18:00 favorable

0.6 m waves · 9 kn wind (2.1 ft waves · 9 kn wind)

Tue6:00–18:00 favorable

0.6 m waves · 10 kn wind (1.9 ft waves · 10 kn wind)

Wed6:00–18:00 favorable

0.5 m waves · 10 kn wind (1.6 ft waves · 10 kn wind)

Thu6:00–18:00 favorable

0.4 m waves · 6 kn wind (1.3 ft waves · 6 kn wind)

FriNot in the forecast yet

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

Every forecast dive window each day, site-local time, from wave and wind forecasts. Numbers under each bar are daylight averages.

First light 5:24 · Sunrise 5:46 · Sunset 17:23 · some windows run past sunset

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 0.6 km from site · updated 23 Oct, 23:21 GMT-6

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near The Elbow

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: Spotted eagle ray, Horse-eye jack, Great barracuda
Best time: Year-round in settled weather; pelagic action best when current runs.

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.

  1. January, 80% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 27°C (80°F), waves have typically been 0.9 m (2.8 ft), wind has typically been 17 knots
  2. February, 74% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 27°C (80°F), waves have typically been 0.9 m (2.9 ft), wind has typically been 17 knots
  3. March, 84% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 28°C (83°F), waves have typically been 0.9 m (2.8 ft), wind has typically been 16 knots
  4. April, 77% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 28°C (83°F), waves have typically been 0.9 m (2.9 ft), wind has typically been 17 knots
  5. May, 94% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 30°C (85°F), waves have typically been 0.8 m (2.8 ft), wind has typically been 17 knots
  6. June, 77% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 30°C (86°F), waves have typically been 0.9 m (3.0 ft), wind has typically been 17 knots
  7. July, 86% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 30°C (86°F), waves have typically been 0.9 m (2.8 ft), wind has typically been 17 knots
  8. August, 97% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 31°C (87°F), waves have typically been 0.6 m (2.0 ft), wind has typically been 15 knots
  9. September, 98% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 31°C (88°F), waves have typically been 0.6 m (1.8 ft), wind has typically been 14 knots, historically most favorable
  10. October, 96% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 30°C (86°F), waves have typically been 0.6 m (1.9 ft), wind has typically been 15 knots
  11. November, 89% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 28°C (83°F), waves have typically been 0.7 m (2.3 ft), wind has typically been 16 knots
  12. December, 81% of days have historically been favorable, water has typically been 27°C (81°F), waves have typically been 0.8 m (2.6 ft), wind has typically been 16 knots

September has typically 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

Rough labels: “Commonly seen” usually means two or more recorded sightings near this site in public dive logs (GBIF), “Occasionally seen” one; “Seasonal” and “Rarely seen” come from dive-guide research. Not a measured rate.

The underwater calendar

When these animals are most recorded around Caribbean & Bahamas — from open sighting data, not a promise.

Watch the whole year animate on the Migrations map

Fills & rentals nearby

No dive shops mapped within 25 km (16 mi). Know one? Add it to the map.

Data updated June 2026

Site details

At the exposed southern tip of Turneffe Atoll, The Elbow is Belize's premier drift wall dive, where currents sweep around the point and concentrate big schools of fish and pelagics. Divers ride the current along spur-and-groove formations from about 27m as eagle rays, snapper aggregations and reef sharks patrol the edge. Strong, sometimes unpredictable currents make it strictly an advanced site dived only in the right conditions.

boatdriftwall

Strong currents (often around 2 knots)

Drift dive into open water with potential down-current

Deep wall - depth and gas discipline required

Site can only be dived in suitable conditions

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