Page 1583 - Dive the Seas and More-2
P. 1583
PAVILIONS 35' - 130'+ (11-40m+) Int. called GINGERBREAD HOUSE by local
- Adv. Here the north shore wall cuts divers.
toward shore, creating an area with little
current or surge. Sand chutes slope down SALT RIVER CANYON WEST WALL
with a lining of star, brain and pillar corals 25'-130'+ (9-40m+) Int. - Adv. 400 yards
in the shallower areas, then sheet, black, west of the East Wall's outer mooring is
and whip corals deeper. Sponges of every the West Wall, also within the Salt River
form overrun the corals. Bay National Historical Park and
Ecological Preserve. Black tree corals
PINNACLE (aka: SEAMOUNT or and orange sponges are at 100'+ (30m+).
JIMMY'S SURPRISE) 55'-130'+ (17- West Wall dive sites include:
40m+) Adv. This is a deep pinnacle rising
from 90' (27m) on it's south side, with the COLUMBUS' BLUFF 30'-100' (9-30m)
north side dropping off to the deep. Int. Columbus landed adjacent to this spot
Currents often turn this into a drift dive. during his second voyage to the West
Sea fans cover the huge pinnacle, and the Indies in 1493. This spot includes a
top is a cleaner station where wrasses take fabulous accumulation of reef deposits at
care of big customers. East of pinnacle the edge of the great wall. Coral
are more large coral mounds. Caution: pinnacles, orange, green, purple, brown
Steep and deep. and a rainbow of colorful sponges and
corals create a giant pinnacle maze.
RUSTOPTWIST 30'-130'+ (9-40m+)
Int. This spur and groove reef descends to GROUPER GROTTO 25'-130'+ (8-
the St. Croix wall. Atop the reef there is a 40m+) Int. - Adv. Named for the big
wonderful highlight - seahorses! These groupers that rest in the overhangs, and
funny fish tend to like hanging out in the canyons of huge coral heads and
gorgonians and soft corals here. The edge pinnacles. Eagle rays cruise by the wall,
of the wall is rich in mountainous star which begins at a depth of 60' (18m).
corals and colorful sponges.
SALT RIVER CANYON EAST WALL
GENTLE WINDS 25'-70' (8-21m) Beg. 30'-130'+ (9-40m+) Int. - Adv. Just
This is an excellent spot for experienced offshore from where Christopher
snorkelers, or it is a great second dive. Columbus landed during his 1493 voyage,
Gentle Winds is a spur and groove reef this area is within the new Salt River Bay
with brain, star and lobed corals of all National Historical Park and Ecological
forms. Divers see a diversity of fishes and Preserve. East Wall dive sites include:
a
few resident hawksbill turtles. A big coral RUSS' ROCK, rising from 65' (20m) at
mound near the mooring is affectionately the inshore mooring, has a much undercut
coral mound, with sea rod plumes, barrel
