Dive Site: Tackle Box Canyons

About Tackle Box Canyons

Tackle Box Canyons is a distinguished dive site located within the Belize Barrier Reef, just a short boat ride from San Pedro on Ambergris Caye. This area is renowned for its spectacular three-dimensional coral formations, featuring an intricate network of canyons, grottoes, and tunnels that characterize the entire northern stretch of the reef. Named after a former onshore bar, this site offers divers a journey through deep, narrow canyons with impressive vertical walls, providing a dramatic underwater landscape. The reef structure here, common to many sites off Ambergris Caye, is a spur-and-groove system where coral spurs crest at various depths, falling into sandy canyons. Tackle Box Canyons particularly stands out for its tunnel and cavern formations, with a notable cavern featuring a gap in its roof large enough for divers to pass through. Depths at the site typically range from 20 to 30 meters (66-100 feet), making it suitable for a wide range of divers. While the area is home to a variety of smaller reef fish and invertebrates, it also attracts larger pelagic species. Divers frequently encounter nurse sharks, moray eels, lobsters, and crabs amidst the vibrant coral and sponge growth. The presence of a clear, sandy bottom areas makes it an ideal location for buoyancy practice and photography. Access to Tackle Box Canyons is typically via a mooring buoy, providing reliable entry to its rugged terrain. Dive trips to this site are often part of itineraries from Ambergris Caye, offering quick access and excellent conditions, including generally good visibility and minimal currents, making for a rewarding dive experience.

Dive site facts: Tackle Box Canyons

Depth

20–30 m (66–100 ft)

Typical dive

20–30 m

Current

Limited

Visibility

20–30 m (60–100+ ft)

Water temperature

26–29°C (79–84°F)

Entry

Boat / Mooring buoy

Level

All levels

Dive type

Canyon, wall, swim-throughs

Night dive

Possible

Region / port

Ambergris Caye, Belize

Coordinates

17.9217, -87.9489

Conditions & Currents

Tackle Box Canyons generally experiences limited to no currents, making for a relaxed dive experience. This absence of strong currents allows divers to explore the intricate canyon formations and swim-throughs without significant effort. Visibility is typically excellent, often reaching 30 meters (100 feet), although strong winds and large waves, particularly during certain periods, can temporarily reduce it to around 15 meters (50 feet). The site benefits from a mooring buoy, which provides a secure and dependable entry point, eliminating the need for complex entry techniques. Divers should always consult with their guide regarding daily conditions, but overall, the site is known for its calm and clear waters.

Marine life & sighting chances

Nurse Shark

common

Moray Eel

common

Lobster

common

Crab

common

Parrotfish

common

Reef Shark

occasional

Yellowtail Snapper

common

Blue Chromis

common

Eagle Ray

occasional

Harlequin Bass

common

Trumpetfish

common

French Grunt

common

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Diving at Tackle Box Canyons typically begins with a descent along the mooring line, which provides direct access to the reef terrain. As you follow a narrow channel seaward, you will encounter the site's distinctive features: a short, sponge-decorated tunnel leading into a cavern. This cavern has a unique gap in its roof, allowing divers to ascend through it. The dive progresses through various deep, narrow canyons with vertical walls, offering ample opportunities to explore overhangs and ledges. Divers typically navigate through these formations, observing marine life tucked within the crevices and along the sandy bottoms. The relatively mild currents allow for a relaxed exploration before beginning the gradual ascent and completing a safety stop near the shallower reef sections.

Underwater photography

Tackle Box Canyons is an excellent site for capturing dramatic underwater photography, particularly for wide-angle shots due to its deep, narrow canyons, vertical walls, and impressive tunnel and cavern structures. A wide-angle lens is ideal for showcasing the scale of these formations and divers navigating through them. For macro enthusiasts, the site's abundant sponges, corals, and encrusting organisms offer numerous subjects, including various small invertebrates and fish, making a 60mm or 105mm macro lens beneficial. Good buoyancy control is essential to avoid disturbing the delicate coral formations and stirring up sediment in the confined spaces of the canyons. Natural light can be dramatic in the canyons, but strobes or video lights are recommended to bring out the vibrant colors of the marine life and illuminate darker areas within tunnels and caverns.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• Tres Cocos

  A spur-and-groove reef with deep, narrow canyons and a wide variety of marine life, similar in depth to Cypress.

• Esmeralda

  Known for deep, dramatic canyons and encounters with schools of yellowtail snapper and nurse sharks.

• Cypress Canyons

  Features spur-and-groove reefs with impressive orange and white elkhorn coral and vertical spurs.

• Hol Chan Marine Reserve

  A shallow, protected marine sanctuary popular for introductory dives, known for strong tidal currents in its cut.

• Victoria Tunnels

  Another site featuring great tunnel diving within large canyon formations, with abundant fish life.

Getting there & logistics

Access to Tackle Box Canyons is primarily from Ambergris Caye, the largest and most popular of Belize's offshore cayes. San Pedro serves as the main departure point, with boat rides to the dive site typically taking only 5-10 minutes. Most dive operators in San Pedro offer daily trips to sites along the Belize Barrier Reef, including Tackle Box Canyons. Divers typically fly into Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (BZE) near Belize City, then take a short domestic flight or water taxi to Ambergris Caye. Dive excursions are usually part of multi-day packages from local resorts or dive shops. Marine park fees may apply, but are often included in dive package costs. Liveaboards tend to focus on more remote atolls, so day trips from Ambergris Caye are the most common way to experience this site.

Safety & environment

While Tackle Box Canyons is suitable for all levels of divers due to its limited currents, all dives are conducted with a certified guide. It is imperative to adhere to the guide's instructions and never exceed their depth. Divers receive a thorough briefing covering safety protocols before each dive. Although currents are generally mild, conditions can vary, and divers should be prepared for potential shifts in visibility if strong winds or waves are present. The nearest recompression chamber is located in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, providing emergency medical support. Divers should ensure they have comprehensive dive insurance that covers emergency evacuation and recompression treatments. Maintaining excellent buoyancy control is crucial, especially when navigating through the narrow canyons and tunnels, to prevent contact with fragile coral structures.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Tackle Box Canyons FAQ

Liveaboards diving Tackle Box Canyons

These liveaboards may visit Tackle Box Canyons on selected itineraries — the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.

Belize Aggressor IV

Belize

20 guests42.1 m

$356/day

Belize Aggressor III

Belize

18 guests33.5 m

$336/day