Boca del Rio

Ambergris Caye


The underwater terrain at Boca del Rio, a half-mile northeast of San Pedro, is a spur-and-groove system, featuring rolling coral hills and sandy channels. This is one of the few sites with healthy staghorn coral as well as plate corals. Around 90ft, there are big coral heads, barrels and tubes, and turtles are often spotted here. A short swim away is a statue of St Peter that resembles Jesus, which gives this site its alternative name, 'Christ of the Abyss.'


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Ambergris Caye attractions

1. Tres Cocos

0.55 MILES

The dive site is a bit deeper than most around San Pedro, with coral heads rising up to 50ft and a wall with spurs that spill out from 90ft to 120ft, but…

2. Esmeralda

0.8 MILES

Right in front of the town school, this 50ft to 75ft dive features a spectacular series of deep canyons covered with flourishing soft corals. There is an…

3. Tackle Box Canyons

1.36 MILES

About a mile offshore from downtown San Pedro, this great site offers big, steep coral grooves. There are swim-throughs in many places along the drop-off…

4. Catholic Church

1.42 MILES

San Pedro's modern Catholic church has a central location on the waterside and is a local landmark.

5. House of Culture

1.55 MILES

Find out more about the fascinating culture found in San Pedro at this cultural center near the football field. Frequently changing displays celebrate…

6. Tuffy Canyons

2.71 MILES

About 1.6 miles south of San Pedro, this dive site is marked by deep grooves and a long, narrow tunnel. This high-walled passage leads to an opening at…

7. Cypress Garden

3.13 MILES

Due to chumming, this San Pedro dive site was once the spot to see nurse sharks and grouper. The feedings have stopped and the fish have moved elsewhere,…

8. Mexico Rocks

4.21 MILES

This snorkeling site, 15 minutes from San Pedro and with a maximum depth of just 8ft, is a unique patch reef towards the northern end of the island…