Sandy Bay and West End Marine Reserve Dive Sites

Gibson Bight Ironshore sites: Fish Den | Canyon Reef

Coconut Tree Divers strongly supports the conservation and restoration efforts of the Roatan Marine Park, a volunteer organization that oversees the protection of the Sandy Bay - West End Marine Park. All snorkelers and divers are asked to contribute to this worthy cause through the purchase of a $10 marine park reef braclet. All proceeds from this tag go to the marine park to ensure that our beautiful reef can be enjoyed by future generations.

Min. Depth: 6m/20ft Max. Depth: 30m/100ft Avg. Max: 18m/60ft Nitrox Mix: EANx36 Difficulty:

Fish Den

Your Coconut Tree instructor signals okay, pitches down, and disappears from view. Where has he gone? Under one of Fish Den's many sponge-encrusted overhangs, of course. Multiple corals heads merge to form a patchwork of jagged canyons, sandy patches, and miniature aquatic mountains in the 10m/30ft to 15m/50ft range. Starting at the 6m/20ft mooring line, follow the wide rock-strewn channel as it gradually weaves to the wall at 18m/60ft- just don't blink or you'll miss the tiny juvenile spotted drums that reside in the rubble.

Of course, any site named "Fish Den" should be home to a plethora of fish. This site does not fail to deliver: greater soapfish, flamingo tongue nudibranchs, king crabs, and scorpionfish hide amongst the coral heads. Expect to find large dog snappers, midnight parrotfish, and barracudas swimming along the wall at 18m/60ft. Under certain conditions, the currents exiting from nearby Gibson Bight stir up nutrients that attract large eagle rays to the area.

Marine life: spotted drums, soapfish, flamingo tongues, king crabs, scorpionfish, barracudas, dog snappers, eagle rays

Don't miss... the shallow overhang directly to the south of the mooring line. Starting at 6m/20ft, you'll take a headfirst drop under a fore reef outcropping where barrel sponges and soapfish hide in the shadows at 12m/40ft.

Min. Depth: 6m/20ft Max. Depth: 18m/60ft Avg. Max: 18m/60ft Nitrox Mix: EANx36 Difficulty:

Canyon Reef

If you enjoy the challenge of narrow swimthrus, Canyon Reef is the site for you. No less than nine canyons pierce the fore reef at 6m/20ft, each taking its own unique path to the wall. Regardless of which canyon you hit first, you can typically weave your way through three to five of these swimthrus while maintaining a safe diving profile. Each canyon hides its own set of aquatic life: keep your eyes peeled for lobsters, king crabs, squirrelfish, glassy sweepers, lettuce sea slugs, and the rare octopus as you squeeze through each one.

The blue light at the end of each tunnel marks the sloping wall at 18/60ft. Here you will often see passing schools of creole wrasse mingling with the resident parrotfish. Graceful eagle rays riding the gentle current occasionally follow the shallow profile of this wall, giving you a great chance for an up-close encounter. The 10m/30ft shallows hide greater soapfish under the overhangs; just look for the lazy bass laying on its side in the shadows.

Marine life: lobsters, king crabs, squirrelfish, glassy sweepers, lettuce sea slugs, soapfish, octopus, eagle rays

Don't miss... "Smooth Canyon," the only one of the nine canyons to feature smooth water-worn rocks instead of jagged coral. A head-first drop though a tiny crack at 6m/20ft opens into this three-story partially enclosed cut where streams of sunlight will lead you to it bright blue exit at 18m/60ft.

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