Page 94 - Florida and the US Caribbean Isles
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CINNAMON BAY Long arcing beach with protective fringe reef is a LITTLE LAMASHUR BAY Sandy bay has sea turtles, southern sting-
fun spot for nocturnal snorkelling. rays inside, and pelagic species toward outside.
HAWKSNEST Shallow reef slopes from the beach. Pelagic predators BOOBY ROCK See detail in inset above.
are common. HAULOVER BAY Rocky shore may have difficult entry for snorkel-
MAHO BAY Calm beginners spot with good chance to see turtles. ers, but the elkhorn, brain and star corals are worth the trouble. There
FRANCIS BAY This long beach is sheltered from the wind for calm are also turtles here. Caution: Choppy
snorkelling amongst sea turtles and scorpionfish. The long swim to FLANNAGAN REEF to 50’ (15m) Beg. This shallow cove is perfect
Whistling Cay may be tempting but it is dangerous. for snorkelling, with stingrays in sand, volcanic boulders full of small
WATERLEMON BAY Calm bay has Southern stingrays, turtles and corals and gorgonians, and swarms of blue chromis. The ridge leads to
peacock flounders for snorkelers to visit. a good scuba spot.
WITCH’S HUT to 30’ (9m) Beg. This shallow dive is full of colorful EAGLE SHOAL See detail in inset above. The above inset is one of
corals, sponges, sea plumes and sea rods. Long ledges have beautiful Coral Bay and the captions there are:
coral, but some of it is fire coral. The site is rich in tropical fishes with BOOBY ROCK 15’-50’ (5-15m) Beg. - Int. This is a boat dive, but only
100+ species. on calm days. It has ledges, boulders, caves and pinnacles, and black
COCOLOBA to 30’ (9m) Beg. This shallow dive is a common open coral on the south side. Good fish nursery.
water check-out for students and a good second dive. The spur and SALTPOND BAY Calm, protected bay has coral patch in center, plus
groove reef has Cocoloba Uvifera, or sea grape trees. Nurse sharks rest shallow reefs.
under overhangs. EAGLE SHOAL/THE CATHEDRAL to 50’ (15m) Int. This spot is
MAPLE LEAF 40’ - 80’ (12-24m) Beg. This reef slopes to a sandy bot- seldom dived, but “The Cathedral” is used for underwater weddings.
tom with garden eels. It is inside of V. I. Coral Reef National Monu- This fantastic dive is full of all kinds of tropical reef creatures and pe-
ment. The reef is full of gorgonians and all kinds of corals and fishes. lagics.