Page 83 - Central America
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FORTY FOOT POINT - So named for its 40 foot depth under the GOLD CHAIN REEF - Moored in 25 feet; the reef top ranges from
boat. There is an abundant amount of fish. This site also hosts an im- 10 - 30 feet. This is a sloping wall fingering out to a large sand slope.
pressive wall for those wishing to go deeper. At a depth of 40 feet there The wall top is thickly populated with elkhorn, staghorn, and lettuce
is a vertical wall. Gray snapper are known to forms schools along with corals. Keep an eye out for surge on this reef top.
other varieties in this area. Spadefish, horse-eye jack, yellowtail snap- GORGINIAN KINGDOM - So called because there are fields and
per, and permit can be found schooling near the surface and along the fields of rod, plume and whip gorgonians swaying back and forth in
wall. The area is filled with lobster, crabs, octopuses, and grouper that the surge as we glide over them.
seem to come alive at night. Depth: 40 – 100 feet.
FOUR SPONGES - This place is a really nice wall dive with plenty of GREEN OUTHOUSE REEF - Named for a green outhouse that used
fish and many different corals and sponges. The edge of the wall sits to grace the shore, this site makes a great wall dive but don’t forget to
at around 30 – 40 feet so it is a great site for all levels of experience. check out the wide canyons before you drop over the wall. The moor-
Depth: 50 -130 feet. ing at this site rests in 15 feet of water over numerous stony coral colo-
FRENCH CAY BANK / FRENCH CAY CUT - The remains of a sunk- nies and then begins a gradual descent to the wall, starting in about 40
en shrimp boat, the Cap’n G, are found at the base of the mooring with feet of water. There are small cuts which provide habitat for lobsters,
coral gardens are filled with barrel sponges of all sizes and colorful crabs and several varieties of juvenile fish. The wall is characterized by
hard and soft coral; sea whips decorate the bank around the mooring. sheet corals amongst the sea rods and fans. A close look may reward
Up swellings at the edge of the bank bring in schools of hunting fish the diver with a view of flamingo tongue snails or one of the several
such as jacks and barracuda – turtles are occasionally spotted here as varieties of nudibranchs. Depth 15 -120 feet.
well. Depth ranges from 40 feet to past recreational dive limits GRETCHEN’S WALL - Being very close to the East end of the island
FRONT PORCH - A huge sandy area at 60 feet surrounded by a slop- with a host of different creatures visiting it. Sometimes spotted eagle
ing collection of plate corals. Recognized as one of the finest North rays and turtles are seen here, as well as large barracuda, trunk fish
shore dives. Short swim away from the reef ’s edge, with an easy dock- and puffer fish. There is a long, dramatic canyon at 40 feet which leads
side entry and exit. back to the mooring line. Depth: 60 - 100 feet.
GIBOSN BITE - The dive gives you access to swim throughs, chim-
neys, channels and overhangs, which keep the dive varied and inter-
esting. Keep your eyes out for eagle rays in the deep, moray eels and
crabs in the various overhangs.
