Page 249 - Central America
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Tackle Box Canyons - Ranging from 20 me- At its best in the morning, the site darkens
ters-30 meters (66’-100’), this site is noted after midday.
for deep, vertical, narrow canyons and tun- Tuffy “Tuffy Rocks” - is noted a for its great
nels where you can take diver silhouette snorkeling. At this shallow site you will see
photos. Named after the Tackle Box bar that all kinds of fish, including jacks, groupers,
used to be situated directly onshore (now snappers, parrotfish, angel fish, barracuda,
Shark’s Bar), this site features several deep, moray eels, and nurse sharks. Observant
narrow canyons with vertical walls. Marine snorkelers might find spider crabs and lob-
life is sporadic in the depths and shadows sters as well. Sea life includes jacks, groupers,
of these deep canyons, it is abundant on top snappers, parrot fish, angel fish, barracuda,
of the coral ridges. Large plates of boulder eels, spider crabs, lobsters, and nurse sharks.
coral, heads of brain, yellow pencil, mustard Underwater, Caye Caulker Reef (also Cork-
hill and isolated stands of elkhorn coral form er) and Chapel Reef – Typical spur and grove
the ridges. formations of large coral outcrops punctu-
The Wall - A trip here requires calm seas, ated with gaps of varying widths. The coral
and presents itself with wasteful colors and outcrops are like cliff faces whereas the gaps
a great variety of fish. The Wall is the most are gentle, sandy slopes. In some places the
northern dive site in the country of Belize, narrower gaps have become tunnels as the
right at the border of Mexico. It is also the coral has grown across the gap.
only wall on the 183 miles of Belize’s Main Victoria Tunnels - Just seven minutes from
Barrier Reef. town is this popular tunnel within the spur-
Tres Cocos Canyon - Named for the three and-groove canyons at 22 meters (75’)
palm trees that once stood onshore, and lo- depth. The shoals here feature all varieties
cated north of San Pedro, Tres Cocos Can- of colorful reef creatures. A concrete crucifix
yon is simply magnificent. The reef descends statue sits at 20 meters (65’) depth. Excellent
to meet the seabed at depths between 110 visibility with plenty of fish, including jacks,
and 120 feet. As you ascend, you will find groupers, snappers, parrotfish, angel fish,
lush and colorful stands of gorgonians, spec- barracuda, moray eels, spider crabs, lobster,
tacular hard coral formations, and sponges and nurse sharks.
that create a fantastic backdrop for the many
reef fish and other intriguing reef occupants.
