CJ's Drop Off

CJ's Drop Off

Location: 
Utila, North
Highlights: 
Drop off wall over 300 metres, pelagic creatures passing zone

DIVE BRIEF: This is one of Utila's most impressive sites, especially when the water is clear. With a wall that runs to a depth of almost 300 metres, it makes your descent over the plateau feel like your jumping off a cliff with a parachute. The sensation of its depth is unforgettable. The buoy site is at 8 metres on an extensive plateau where a diver will see many different types of brain coral. East of the plateau you will spot a deep sand channel (17 metres) that is often visited by the Great Barracuda and the occasional Nurse Shark.

Dive Site Photo: 
Normal Visibility: 
35metres
Currents: 
Caribbean Light to Rum Punch Mild
Site Depth: 
7metres
300metres
Divesite Difficulty : 
Easy to Advanced (Advanced Open Water)
Time to Site : 
57minutes
Common Marine Life Sightings: 
Spotted Trunkfish, Foureye Butterflyfish, Red Porgy, Tarpon, Branching Tube Sponge, Azure Vase Sponge, Branching Fire Coral, Flamefish, Permits, Green Moray, Scrawled Filefish
Dive 25 Hotspot Watch: 
Channel Clinging Crab, Great Barracuda, Cusion Sea Star
Dive Site Map: 

Cushion Sea Star

Cushion Sea Star
Academy Award: 

Family: Sea Stars - Asteroidea

Diver Interaction: 
Relatively unafraid, although provocation will cause them to retract.
Species in Action: 
Habitat & Lifestyle: 
Inhabit shallow sea grass beds and sand flats.
Genus: 
Oreaster reticulatus
Maximum Size: 
40.00cm
Average Size: 
20.0cm
36.0cm
Depth: 
0.0metres
37.0metres
Endangered Rating: 
Low
Global Distribution: 
Common to occasional Florida, Bahamas, Caribbean; also Bermuda, north to North Carolina and south to Brazil.
Unique Physique: 
Orange to tan in colour with thick short arms, heavy body, with knobbly spines which form net-like geometric design of contrasting colour.
Visual ID: 
Local Hotspots: 
Blackish Point, CJ's Drop Off
Abundance: 
Occasional - Sightings are not unusual, but not on a regular basis.

Great Barracuda

Great Barracuda
Academy Award: 
Family: Barracudas - Spyraenidae IDENTIFICATION: Usually has scattered, dark blotches. Can darken showing side bands. Dorsal fins widely separated. NOTE: For anyone thninking about Barracuda, think again if you've never heard of the poisonous ciguatera. Barracuda are a particular ciguatoxic fish!
Diver Interaction: 
Have the unnerving habit of approaching divers and following them about the reef. This appears to be nothing more than curiosity, as there are no reports of unprovoked attacks (The only substantial incidents involved spearfishing or hand feeding). Normally move away if closely approached.
Species in Action: 
Habitat & Lifestyle: 
Drift around reefs and other habitats in solitary or in small groups. Open and close mouth to assist respiration.
Genus: 
Sphyraena barracuda
Maximum Size: 
183.00cm
Average Size: 
46.0cm
92.0cm
Depth: 
0.0metres
18.5metres
Endangered Rating: 
Medium
Global Distribution: 
Common Florida, Bahamas, Caribbean; also Gulf of Mexico, north to Massachusetts, Bermuda and south to Brazil; almost circumtrophial.
Unique Physique: 
Silver, long cylindrical body. 1. Large under-slung jaw, pointed teeth often obvious.
Visual ID: 
Local Hotspots: 
Bay Islands: Haliburton Wreck, CJ's Drop Off
Abundance: 
Occasional - Sightings are not unusual, but not on a regular basis.

Channel Clinging Crab (a.k.a. King Crab)

Channel Clinging Crab
Academy Award: 

Family: Spider Crabs – Majidae
Order: Decapoda (True Crabs – Brachyura)

NOTE: Also commonly known as ‘Reef Spider Crab’, Spiny Spider Crab’, and ‘King Crab’.

Diver Interaction: 
Relatively confident; when approached retreat for their safety.
Species in Action: 
Habitat & Lifestyle: 
Found in rocky areas and coral reefs, often in caves or under ledge overhangs during day; forage in the open at night. Frequently covered with algae and debris.
Genus: 
Mithrax spinosissimus
Maximum Size: 
153.00cm
Average Size: 
61.0cm
92.0cm
Depth: 
3.0metres
40.0metres
Endangered Rating: 
Low
Global Distribution: 
Common to occasional throughout the Caribbean.
Unique Physique: 
Largest species of Caribbean Reef Crab,they have a reddish brown carapace and walking legs, with smooth purplish grey claws with blunt claw tips. Around their outer edge a single row of nodules can be found whereas numerous short spines and nodules cover their legs.
Visual ID: 
Local Hotspots: 
Bay Islands: Airport Caves, CJ's Drop Off
Abundance: 
Occasional - Sightings are not unusual, but not on a regular basis.
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