Sunlit shallow reef with schooling fish at Shark Point dive site, Belize in 20-30m visibility waters

Sunlit shallow reef with schooling fish at Shark Point dive site, Belize in 20-30m visibility waters

Photo: Unsplash
all-levelsboat entry

Shark Point

San Pedro · Ambergris Caye · Belize

Shark Point sits along the Belize Barrier Reef just a short boat ride south of San Pedro on Ambergris Caye. This shallow reef site has become one of the most popular dives in the area thanks to its reliable shark and ray encounters in calm, clear water. The dive begins with a descent to a sandy channel at around 8 metres, where nurse sharks are frequently found resting on the bottom. Southern stingrays cruise the sandy patches between coral heads, and Caribbean reef sharks occasionally glide in from the deeper water beyond the reef edge. The gentle topography of coral mounds and sand channels creates natural congregation points for marine life, making encounters nearly guaranteed on every dive. The reef itself is healthy and colourful, with brain corals, sea fans, and barrel sponges providing habitat for queen angelfish, blue tangs, and dense schools of yellowtail snapper. Barracuda hover in the mid-water, and spotted eagle rays make occasional appearances. The shallow depth and typically mild current make this an excellent site for underwater photography, with ample natural light illuminating the scene. Shark Point is accessible to divers of all certification levels and is also popular with snorkellers due to the shallow depth. Most dive operators in San Pedro include it on their reef dive itineraries, often combining it with other nearby sites along the barrier reef. The boat ride takes roughly 15 minutes, and the sheltered position behind the reef means conditions are calm on most days.

18 m
Max depth
20-30m
Visibility
March-June
Best season

Marine Life

nurse shark
southern stingray
Caribbean reef shark
yellowtail snapper
barracuda
queen angelfish
blue tang
sergeant major

Best Season to Dive

Highlighted months represent the ideal conditions for diving

26°C – 29°C
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Location

San Pedro · Ambergris Caye · Belize

Coordinates: 17.8862, -87.9370

View on map
Loading map...

Dive Site Depth Profile

Visual depth progression and waypoint route for Shark Point

Max Depth:18m
Waypoints:5
0m0m5m5m10m10m15m15m18m18mSea SurfaceEntry2mReef section 110mDeepest point18mReef section 29mSafety stop5m
* Plot shows dive progression checkpoints sequentially from left to rightDiveOne Club Depth Profile v1.0

Why dive here

Nurse sharks resting on the sandy bottom in shallow water
Southern stingrays gliding past within arm's reach
Excellent visibility and calm conditions ideal for photography

Conditions & safety

Skill levelall-levels
Entry typeboat
Max depth18 m
Currentmild
Visibility20-30m
Best seasonMarch-June
sharkstingrayreefbeginner friendlyphotographymarine reserve

FAQ

How deep is the dive at Shark Point near Ambergris Caye?

Shark Point is a relatively shallow dive site with depths ranging from 6 to 18 metres (20 to 60 feet). The sandy bottom where sharks and rays gather sits at around 8 metres, making it accessible to snorkellers and divers of all levels.

What sharks will I see at Shark Point in Belize?

Nurse sharks are the most common residents, often resting on the sandy bottom. Caribbean reef sharks patrol the deeper edges of the reef. Southern stingrays are also regular visitors. The sharks here are accustomed to divers and are not aggressive.

When is the best time to dive Shark Point near Ambergris Caye?

March through June offers the calmest seas and best visibility. The dry season runs from November to May, providing generally favourable conditions. The site is diveable year-round, but hurricane season from June to November can bring rougher seas.

Log this dive with DiveOne

Save to your dive journal. Track depth, time, and conditions on Apple Watch Ultra.

Get early access

Reviews

No reviews yet

Back to catalog
Get early access