CJ's Drop Off
CJ's Drop Off
Location
Utila, North
Highlights
Drop off wall over 300 metres, pelagic creatures passing zone
Visibility
35metres
Currents
Caribbean Light to Rum Punch Mild
Site Depth
7metres
Difficulty
Easy to Advanced (Advanced Open Water)
Duration
57minutes
Sight-seeing
Spotted Trunkfish, Foureye Butterflyfish, Red Porgy, Tarpon, Branching Tube Sponge, Azure Vase Sponge, Branching Fire Coral, Flamefish, Permits, Green Moray, Scrawled Filefish
Hotspot Watch
Channel Clinging Crab, Great Barracuda, Cushion Sea Star
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.
Cushion Sea Star
Size
40.00cm
Genus
Oreaster reticulatus
Avg. Size
20.0cm
Depth
0.0metres
Endangered?
Low
Local Hotspots
Blackish Point, CJ's Drop Off
Diver Interaction
Relatively unafraid, although provocation will cause them to retract.
Habitat & Lifestyle
Inhabit shallow sea grass beds and sand flats.
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.
Abundance
Occasional - Sightings are not unusual, but not on a regular basis.
Great Barracuda
Size
183.00cm
Genus
Sphyraena barracuda
Avg. Size
46.0cm
Depth
0.0metres
Endangered?
Medium
Local Hotspots
Bay Islands: Haliburton Wreck, CJ's Drop Off
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.
Habitat & Lifestyle
Drift around reefs and other habitats in solitary or in small groups. Open and close mouth to assist respiration.
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.
Abundance
Occasional - Sightings are not unusual, but not on a regular basis.
Channel Clinging Crab (a.k.a. King Crab)
Size
153.00cm
Genus
Mithrax spinosissimus
Avg. Size
61.0cm
Depth
3.0metres
Endangered?
Low
Local Hotspots
Bay Islands: Airport Caves, CJ's Drop Off
Diver Interaction
Relatively confident; when approached retreat for their safety.
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.
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.
Abundance
Occasional - Sightings are not unusual, but not on a regular basis.
