Page 259 - Central America

Gailes Point - Gailes Point is one of those
dive sites along the eastern reef line that
has everything. The reef top slopes gently
seaward at 45 feet.. Overhangs and caverns
can be found all along and near the drop-off,
including several large caverns at 70 feet on
the northern coral ridge, which flanks the
recessed reef line. These shelter large group-
ers and nurse sharks. Large number of Nas-
sau, black, tiger and marble groupers can be
seen here in early December. On the reef top,
filefish, butterflyfish and trumpet fish are in
abundance. One dive is simply not sufficient
to capture all that is here. Gail’s Point is the
southeast corner of the reed with a distinc-
tive change in the coral structures when
heading north. This is the beginning of the
dramatic vertical wall which continues along
the eastern reef line.
Gorgonian Bluff - These are three separate
sites situated close together with similar fea-
tures. At the edge of the reef wall, there is
an awesome handshaped coral promontory
with three “fingers” outstretched, each with
a different name. The last of the fingers, Gor-
gonian Bluff, is well known for its magnifi-
cent display of deep water gorgonians. Black-
tip sharks are regularly seen at all three sites.
HMS Advice - Located just outside Pirate’s Lefty’s Ledge - Pelagics are often attracted to
Creek in 16 feet (5 meters) of water are the an area because of an abundance of food or
remains of a British naval cutter which was
wrecked on June 1, 1793. With a length of 56
feet (17 meters) and a beam of 21 feet (6 me-
ters), the vessel carried ten 3-pounder guns.
It is likely that the guns were salvaged long
ago because of the shallow water, although
the site is worth a search with an underwater
metal detector. After almost 200 years, little
is left of the actual ship except for three an-
chors and some mast rings.
Hollywood - Located on the leeward side of
Turneffe Islands, this site is sheltered from
swells and large waves. The reef here is wide,
slopes gently and provides ample shallow-
water diving. Perhaps the least desirable
aspect of this dive site is its low visibility.
Although the water is by no means murky,
clouds of suspended matter derived from the
atoll are typical. The reefs are primarily com-
prised of lettuce leaf and boulder coral.
Jill’s Thrill - Situated right on the edge of the Here you might find Belize’s own unique
wall is Jill’s Thrill, one of only two wall dives white spotted toadfish.
off the southwest side of the atoll. Right along
this corner of the reef the coral drops sharply
to 60 feet (18 meters). Schooling cero, Span-
ish mackerel and small groups of spotted ea-
gle rays are regularly seen here.
suitable shelter. As many as 50 kinds of fish
can be seen here on a single dive by explor-
ing the reef and keeping an eye on the open
sea. All along the sloping drop-off, you can
encounter schools of horse-eye jacks, bar
jacks, Spanish mackerels, creole wrasses,
yellowtail snappers and permits. Eagle rays,
ocean triggerfish and barracudas can also
be seen, along with occasional appearances
of hammerhead, black tip and bull sharks.
Near the wall and on the ledges are growths
of deep-water lace coral and interesting for-
mations of boulder or sheet coral.
Lindsey’s Back Porch (Franko Maps North)
- Here you can dive at about 13 meter (45
feet) and cruise through a coral garden full
of gorgonians and sea plumes, with all kinds
of butterflyfish, angelfish, surgeonfish and
parrotfish. The reef divides into narrow spur-
and-grove fingers running down to the wall.