Page 291 - Central America

Pompion Wall - Start this dive in about 30 perfect for a second dive. There is plenty to a sand mound through the opening of the
feet/15 mt of water then work your way see diving between the two reef structures cave. This dive is a good opportunity for the
down the slope to about 45 feet/14mt where at depths ranging from 45-60 feet/14-18mt. cavern diver adventure dive. Because of the
there is a sheer wall which drops down a few Sightings here could include southern sting- distance to this dive site, this dive is usually
thousand feet. Off the wall there is lots to rays and nurse sharks in the sandy bottom, done as part of a three tank dive and makes
see in the 70 foot/21mt range where many spotted eagle rays, turtles, schools of tarpons for an exhilarating scuba dive day trip.
crevices forms a protective habitat. Creatures and a wide variety of smaller tropical reef Shark Pitt - A submerged sinkhole beginning
that can be seen hiding out include the spiny fish thriving around healthy corals. in about 40 feet of water just north of To-
lobsters, green moray eels, spider crabs and Shark Hole - The Shark Hole is a sinkhole in bacco Cayes, this underwater cavern inside
hawksbill turtles. Lots of colorful Caribbean about 30ft/10mt of water just inside the main the barrier reef opens up into a large room,
reef fishes can be seen on top or along the barrier reef north of the Tobacco Range of which bottoms out below 100 feet. The visi-
wall as well. Pelagic species such as the king islands. The hole was found by fishermen bility outside the cave was impossible, maybe
mackerel, wahoo and a few smaller species of exploring and hunting permits and tarpon five feet, but once you descend through the
tuna can be seen occasionally off in the blue for sport fishing. These two fishes in large halocline, it clears up. We could also feel the
water. schools can be seen hanging out at the en- occasional chill of fresh water seeping from
Pompion Canyons – There is an interesting trance of the hole. This is probably what at- the aquifer.
formation of corals that has plenty to of- tracts the several species of sharks that can Silk Cayes - The Silk Cayes are a small scat-
fer. This dive is conducted by swimming in be seen in and around the hole. Shark spe- tering of tiny islands, often referred to by the
and out of the grooves looking for the usual cies that have been seen includes bull sharks, locals as the Queen Cayes. The Silk Cayes
critters that enjoy hiding out and resting in lemon sharks, reef sharks and nurse sharks. boast two awesome dive sites – one for the
the grooves. These creatures include nurse Other species that can be seen here includes novice diver, and another for those on the
sharks, southern and yellow stingrays, lob- schools of horse-eye jacks, snappers and intermediate level. The first site is perfect for
sters and moray eels. Horse eye jacks, school- cobia. After entering the hole at 30ft/10mt, the novice; its calm waters, plethora of reef
masters and grunts can be seen in schools a dive light is necessary as the upper por- fish, beautiful sea topography spotted with
around huge spurs in the reef. This dive can tions of the cave becomes dark as well as the coral heads, turtle grass and sandy shallows
be done swimming north to south or south need to monitor your depth and air gauge. provide amazing photo opportunities. The
to north depending on the current. The dive master will also be better able to second site, the intermediate diver’s dream,
Rosella’s Garden - This site got its name from keep track of his divers. Spotting around in- takes you over 90ft gullies to reach the main
a long time resident of South Water Caye and creases your chance of seeing sharks swim- barrier reef wall. You’ll see groups of ocean
is just a minute away from the island. It is ming around or resting in the crevices. A ray triggerfish, often with remoras attached, reef
of light can always be seen shining down on sharks and a wide assortment of pelagic.