San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize

Mata Cut

Mata Cut is a barrier-reef cut and dive site north-east of San Pedro, where a natural break in the reef channels tidal water between the lagoon and open sea, concentrating fish life around the cut. The dive begins on the seaward side at 12 metres and follows the reef shoulder through canyons and small swim-throughs to the wall edge at 25 to 30 metres. The structure is supported by stands of mountainous star coral, brain coral, sheet coral and pillar coral, with deep-water sea fans, large barrel sponges and yellow tube sponges decorating the wall. Reef life is dense: large schools of horse-eye jacks, yellowtail snapper, big mutton snappers, schoolmasters, midnight parrotfish, French and queen angelfish, large groupers and big barracudas. Caribbean reef sharks patrol the wall. Hawksbill turtles graze sponges and eagle rays cruise the rim. Currents are moderate and dives are typically run as gentle drifts; visibility 20 to 30 metres. Suitable for divers from open water level upward with deep specialty preferred. The site is part of multi-tank itineraries from San Pedro and is a regular alternative to Tackle Box Canyons.