Shark
Nurse shark
Ginglymostoma cirratum
A slow, bottom-dwelling shark with barbels, often found resting under ledges and on sand by day. The Atlantic species of Belize's reefs, distinct from the Indo-Pacific tawny nurse shark. Common across Lighthouse Reef and inside the Blue Hole rim.
- Max size
- Up to ~3m
- Habitat
- Reefs, sand flats and ledges
Best places to dive with Nurse shark
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | commonly seen |
| February | commonly seen |
| March | commonly seen |
| April | commonly seen |
| May | commonly seen |
| June | commonly seen |
| July | commonly seen |
| August | commonly seen |
| September | commonly seen |
| October | commonly seen |
| November | commonly seen |
| December | commonly seen |
Resident year-round. The Atlantic nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum) was assessed Vulnerable by the IUCN in 2021; it is a separate species from the Indo-Pacific tawny nurse shark.
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | commonly seen |
| February | commonly seen |
| March | commonly seen |
| April | commonly seen |
| May | commonly seen |
| June | commonly seen |
| July | commonly seen |
| August | commonly seen |
| September | commonly seen |
| October | commonly seen |
| November | commonly seen |
| December | commonly seen |
Present year-round on the sand and around Sugar Wreck, usually a handful per dive. Draws in to bait but is a background animal here rather than a target.
Sources & last checked
Checked July 2026
This is a researched draft, not yet human-verified. The seasonality and logistics are drawn from the sources below — confirm specifics (permits, fees, closures) with an operator before you book.
- Nurse shark — Wikipedia
- Ginglymostoma cirratum, Atlantic Nurse Shark — IUCN Red List