Page 105 - Central America
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CJ’S DROP OFF - An impressive site with a seemingly bottomless FISH BOWL/MAZE E - Spectacular almost vertical wall, An amaz-
sheer wall, this is one to really keep an eye out in the blue, often large ing dive and a must do. The divers appear small against this massive
pelagics are seen passing by, the top of the wall is stunning with large drop-off.
corals of all kinds, and lots of Nudibranchs, look under ledges for PINNACLE - pretty coral garden at 30/40 feet, dramatic wall with a
Nurse Sharks. at the western end of the reef in front of Turtle Harbour, chimney shaped pinnacle coming up from 100ft to 25 feet from sur-
is famed among divers for the vertigo-inducing coral cliffs plunging face and a cool “tunnel” that starts at 70 feet and exits at 130 feet). This
straight down into the blue depths. As you descend along the wall, dive site is mainly known for its deep swim-through and stunning
watch for sting rays, moray eels, and hawksbill turtles, and the profu- walls. The top of the reef is at about 15-20 feet/4 meters and if you dive
sion of giant sponges and hard corals. Quite often you may see ea- away from the wall you can go explore a couple of interesting shallow
gle rays passing by, barracudas and at depth look for Lionfish. If you channels. There are impressive, deep, dramatic walls. Going slightly to
swim away from reef wall and explore into the shallows you can go on the west on the wall you will find the entrance of the swim-through at
a neat tour through sand channels and little canyons, ideal for Spotted 70 feet (21 meters). Diving through the swim-through will take you
Drums and Eels. down to about 140 feet (42 meters). Look for Spotted Eagle Rays and
MAZE W/WILLY’S HOLE - This site in Turtle Harbor really is a beau- Turtles in the blue, but also look toward the reef where it is possible
tiful site, just under the boat at 15ft you will find profuse coral growth, to find Lionfish, Angelfish and Groupers. Lucky divers may also see
then when you drop over the wall at 70ft you will find Willy’s Hole, a Midnight Parrotfish.
small cavern with a large entrance if you look up you will normally see C.J.’S DROP OFF - beautiful wall starting at 30ft and dropping to the
schools of ............swimming about you, when you have seen this you abyss which provides an amazing experience as if diving in the Grand
can swim east or west both ways are worth seeing, on your way back Canyon. When the barrel sponges are spawning in April, below 130ft
make sure you have enough air to spend time on the top edge of the it was like swimming thru a blizzard.
wall, it usually has great lighting for photographers and you will find
a myriad of makeup creatures here.
THE MAZE - This is a beautiful site and equally good weather you
turn east or west, a sand channel will take you down deep, keep an
eye out for Turtles, Eagle Ray and large pelagics into the blue, on your
way back make sure you have enough air to spend time in the “Maze”
an area just by the mooring that is made up of small canyons, look for
Nurse Sharks there and large Moray Eels, on the top of the walls you
will see large amounts of juvenile fish and nudibranchs.
