Page 115 - Central America

TED’S POINT - Here just south from the mooring if you follow the RED CLIFF
small coral heads out across the sand you will come to the Rojan at ap- SHIP’S STERN - A spacious cavern has been carved out of the iron-
prox 52ft, the wreck of a small sailing yacht, make sure you take your shore, home to green moray, dog snappers, jackknife fish, and glassy
time and look under the stern and bow of the boat as there are usually sweepers.
some interesting creatures there at the same time looking above and BIG BIGHT SOUTH / BIG BIGHT
around for passing Eagle rays, once you have been to the wreck make LINDA’S WALL
your way to the west coming back slowly up the sand to a pretty coral AQUARIUM - is on east-northeast side of the Island and consists of
wall, here look for Seahorses and Frogfish, on your return to the boat 3 separate reefs: The shoreline, the middle reef and an outer reef run-
along the top of the wall when bathed in sunlight you will see the ning parallel to the middle reef. You will get the best dive by crossing
wonderful colors that this wall will present to you. a big flat sandy area heading towards the shore. Along the shoreline
OLD AIRPORT - is on the east side of the Island in front of what used you will find a very scenic route with overhangs, caverns and smaller
to be the old airstrip of Utila. This site is unique for its swim throughs, caves. This is a great place for spotting Octopus, Moray Eels and also
caves and caverns. The top of the reef starts at about 10 feet (3 me- any member of the Boxfish family. Crossing back towards the middle
ters) and then drops down to 50+feet (15+meters) with a sandy slope reef you will find a variation of soft coral and sand which is habitat for
to100+feet (30+meters) where after a second reef appears. In the sand different types of rays such as the Electric Ray and also Snake Eels. On
you can search for Garden Eels, Stingrays and Pipefish and on the reef the middle reef you may find Lionfish, but also take a look for Nurse
you will find a variety of fish like Barracuda, Black Durgon and An- Sharks resting during the day.
gelfishes. On the second reef you may find the rare Reef Butterfly Fish.
ROCKY POINT - Rocky point is situated on the east side of the island
on a point made out of bare volcanic rocks. The wall slops down to
100 feet (30 meters) where a sandy stretch begins and continues to
descend. You can easily reach depths below the recreational limits,
which makes it the deepest point on the eastern side of Utila. The
rocky structure from the shore continues down below the surface of
the water. Compared to many other sites Rocky Point has a higher
concentration of stony corals. It is not unusual to see Hawksbill Tur-
tles, large Groupers and Barracudas. On the top of the reef look in the
shelter of the coral, especially lettuce coral, to find juvenile fishes, tiny
crabs and if you are lucky maybe an octopus.