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The Elbow

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

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

The Elbow at a glance

The Elbow is a 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, Caribbean reef shark, and Cubera snapper. Recent reports put the water around 29°C (85°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Marine model · graded 6h ago
0.9 mwaves — under a meter expected

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 29°C · seasonal avg 30°C

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

Best: Tue
Tue6:00–19:00
Wed6:00–19:00
Thu6:00–19:00
Fri6:00–19:00
Sat6:00–19:00
Sun6:00–19:00
Mon—

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

First light 5:06 · Sunrise 5:29 · Sunset 18:25

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 0.6 km from site · graded 6h 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.

What Divers Say

Known for: Spotted eagle ray, Caribbean reef shark, Horse-eye jack
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. Jan80%27°C0.9 m
  2. Feb74%27°C0.9 m
  3. Mar84%28°C0.9 m
  4. Apr77%28°C0.9 m
  5. May94%30°C0.8 m
  6. Jun77%30°C0.9 m
  7. Jul86%30°C0.9 m
  8. Aug97%31°C0.6 m
  9. Sep98%31°C0.6 m
  10. Oct96%30°C0.6 m
  11. Nov89%28°C0.7 m
  12. 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

  • Spotted eagle rayCommonly seen
  • Caribbean reef sharkCommonly seen
  • Cubera snapperSeasonal
  • Horse-eye jackCommonly seen
  • Great barracudaCommonly seen
  • Black grouperOccasionally seen
  • Bull sharkRarely seen
  • Green turtleOccasionally seen

Fills & rentals nearby

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

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

Reviews

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