San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize

Esmeralda Canyons

Esmeralda Canyons is a series of narrow, twisting swim-throughs on the outer edge of the barrier reef north-east of San Pedro. The reef top sits at about 14 metres and the canyons drop to sand floors near 25 metres, with the outer wall continuing to deeper water. The canyons are densely covered with colourful sponges and gorgonians, including elephant-ear sponges, sea plumes, sea rods and orange tube sponges, giving the site its emerald-and-orange appearance. Resident fish include schools of horse-eye jacks, schoolmasters, big mutton snappers, queen angelfish, midnight parrotfish, and large green moray eels. Hawksbill turtles are reliable visitors and Caribbean reef sharks patrol the wall outside the canyons. Macro life includes secretary blennies, banded coral shrimp, arrow crabs and Caribbean reef octopus on night dives. Currents are usually moderate; visibility ranges from 20 to 30 metres. Suitable for divers with at least open water and some wall experience and a regular stop on multi-tank itineraries from San Pedro.