Page 440 - The Dutch Caribbean Isles

CHARLIE’S SHOAL - Charlie’s Shoals is another excellent dive site.
Here, divers will find eagle rays, southern stingrays, nurse sharks and
Caribbean reef sharks.
MOONSCAPE – a cratered reef on the south side of the island.
FRENCHMAN’S REEF #1- Shallow reef at about 25 feet. Ideal for the
novice diver. Nice reef with a good chance to spot turtles.
FRENCHMAN’S REFF #2 - Shallow reef at about 25 feet. Ideal for the
novice diver. Nice reef with a good chance to spot turtles.
LUCY’S BARGE - depth 55 feet – dive often combined with Proselyte
dive, sunken barge
PROSELYTE REEF #2 - The HMS Proselyte was a frigate built in the
Netherlands in 1770. It was under British command in 1801 when the
crew, who were aware of the location of the reef, failed to account for
the current and wrecked the ship on the reef. Much of the wreck has
become indistinguishable from the reef by this time, however massive,
coral encrusted anchors and cannons that were aboard now stand out
as beautiful elements in the reef topography. This site is comprised
of a chain of ridges, teeming with life. There are often a few curious,
medium-sized reef sharks that will cruise by, as well as barracuda, and
loads of angelfish. The nooks and crannies at this site provide excel-
lent homes for octopus, so keep your eyes peeled. The safety stop at
the end of the dive can be done right underneath the boat atop a shal-
low section of the ridge, where you can spy on tiny, juvenile fish while depth of 50 feet.
you wait out your three minutes.
CARIB CARGO - Cargo ship at a depth of 65 feet. This ship was badly
damaged as a result of hurricane Luis in 1995. Another hurricane in
1996, Bertha made her sunk. She’s 200 feet long and lying on a sandy
bottom, with a good chance of spotting stingrays. You can penetrate
the wreck. Home to sea turtles, spotted eagle rays and sometimes a
reef shark passing by at this dive site
TEIGLAND/CABLE REEF – The mooring is right on top of the Tei-
gland, a freighter that sank in 1993. The wreck is the deepest point
of the dive, and it’s busy with lots of life. Eels, crabs, lobsters, schools
of fish and sharks. After checking out the wreck, the dive continues
around the reef that is right alongside. There are ledges, a swim-thru,
and lots of crevasses to explore. As you round the corner of the reef,
you’ll want to keep one eye looking out into the blue for spotted ea-
gle rays, stingrays, sharks and barracuda. Nurse sharks are frequently
spotted snoozing under a ledge, and turtles have been known to take
a break here as well.
MIKE’S MAZE #1 - At 50 - 55 feet you’ll find the amazing big coral
formations of this extended reef system. Big boulders form great swim
throughs, very colorful because of the variety of sponges. Lots of ma-
rine life here, which includes the chance of reef sharks, eagle rays and
turtles
PROSELYTE REEF #1 - 1802 the HMS Proselyte ran into this beauti-
ful reef, they tried to keep the vessel afloat by throwing overboard
their heavy load like anchors and cannons. Unfortunately the ship
went down, not much left of it since it was made out of wood and be-
came part of the reef. What’s left are the 13 cannons and 3 enormous
anchors, all encrusted with corals. Great reef with walls encrusted
with colorful sponges everywhere. Beautiful dive with a maximum