San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize

Eagle Ray Canyon

Eagle Ray Canyon is a wide swim-through on the wall edge of the barrier reef off Ambergris Caye, named for the spotted eagle rays that habitually use the canyon as a corridor between the reef and open water. The reef top sits at 14 metres, the canyon floor slopes from 20 to 28 metres, and the outer wall drops past 40 metres beyond. Walls are decorated with deep-water sea fans, large barrel sponges, vase sponges and black coral colonies in the deeper sections. Beyond eagle rays, divers see Caribbean reef sharks along the wall, schools of horse-eye jacks, mutton snappers, large groupers, green and spotted moray eels, and the occasional southern stingray cruising over the sand. Turtles are common. Eagle ray encounters are most reliable on slack tide between current cycles. Currents in the canyon are typically moderate. Visibility 20 to 35 metres. Recommended for divers with prior wall experience and a deep specialty.