Page 104 - Central America
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RAGGEDY CAYE - Raggedy Caye is named after the tiny Caye right drops down to between 40-50ft (12-15m) and from there canyon-
in front of the site which is only inhabited by the birds. A fringing like channels carve their way into the volcanic rocks. Continuing out
reef begins at the Caye and slops downward until the wall takes an from the channels there is a sandy area which opens up scattered with
exciting drop. The dive sites below the Utila Cayes are actually among rocky coral formations. This is a terrific place for seeing huge South-
the deepest on the Island. Although they don’t appear to be as dra- ern Stingrays and Hawk fish. Cruising the channels you may possibly
matic as the drop-offs in Turtle Harbour, they continue sloping down find a Nurse Shark under the rocks and various types of Groupers.
in levels which reach great depths. Raggedy Caye is rich in marine life The maximum depth of the site is 90ft (27m), however, the best parts
and packed with colorful corals. Often you will get the chance to see of the dive remain at about 50-60ft (15-18m) where most of the inter-
several Eagle Rays, Turtles and even Nurse Sharks. Also, be on the esting topographical features and marine life appear.
lookout for Lionfish, Lobsters, Moray Eels and Porcupine Puffers near DON QUICKSET E - Don Qiuckset is on the north-western side of
the edge or along the sides of the wall. Usually done as a drift dive. the Island. The buoy is placed right on the drop off at 10 feet (3 me-
WEST END W / WEST END ters). The top of the reef hosts a large variety of juvenile fish of many
PARAISO different species, like yellowtail damselfish, Parrotfish and Blue Tangs.
SPOTTED BAY - Spotted Bay is on the North-western side of the Look also for the beautiful, but shy Red cheek Blenny. A steep wall
Island, below the Utila Caye. It is a fringing reef running from the drops down to between 40-50ft (12-15m) and from there canyon-
shoreline outward. The edge of the reef is at about 20-25 feet (6-7.6 like channels carve their way into the volcanic rocks. Continuing out
meters) and drops down to 100 feet (30 meters). The slope continues from the channels there is a sandy area which opens up scattered with
to descend to greater depths. The reef is broken up neatly by sand rocky coral formations. This is a terrific place for seeing huge South-
channels. While diving along the wall divers will often come across ern Stingrays and Hawk fish. Cruising the channels you may possibly
Eagle rays, Moray Eels, Porcupine or other Puffers and at depth you find a Nurse Shark under the rocks and various types of Groupers.
may find a couple of Hawkfish. Along the top of the wall look for The maximum depth of the site is 90ft (27m), however, the best parts
Nurse Sharks resting under rocks and likely lying on the sandy bot- of the dive remain at about 50-60ft (15-18m) where most of the inter-
tom. esting topographical features and marine life appear.
OLD HOUSE - deep wall dive.
DON QUICKSET W/ - Don Qiuckset is on the north-western side of
the Island. The buoy is placed right on the drop off at 10 feet (3 me-
ters). The top of the reef hosts a large variety of juvenile fish of many
different species, like yellowtail damselfish, Parrotfish and Blue Tangs.
Look also for the beautiful, but shy Red cheek Blenny. A steep wall
