Explore the North Side of Utila

Diving in the North Side of Utila is a thrilling adventure, especially suited for advanced divers seeking to explore the depths of the ocean. Known for its deeper dives and impressive shipwrecks, this area offers a unique underwater landscape that promises both excitement and discovery. One of the highlights is CJ’s Drop Off, a popular dive site featuring plummeting cliffs that create awe-inspiring wall dives. The dramatic drop-offs here cater to those who love the sensation of descending into the blue abyss. In addition to CJ’s Drop Off, Willie’s Hole presents another remarkable diving opportunity.

As you swim through a vast open cave in the coral wall, you encounter a series of fun passages perfect for exploration. The North Side of Utila is teeming with diverse marine life, from vibrant coral gardens to the graceful movements of larger pelagic species. Whether you’re diving from the shore or joining a liveaboard excursion, the combination of natural beauty and underwater adventure makes diving in Utila an unforgettable experience. Seasonal variations bring surprises, from whale shark migrations to colorful fish schools, ensuring each dive remains unique and captivating.

Top Dive Sites Map

★★★★☆ Raggedy Cay

Raggedy Cay is a small island off the west end of Utila. There is a flat bottom at about 6 meters under the boat and then, once you reach the wall, it gradually drops off to about 40 meters. This is a wall dive, but tougher to navigate since the mooring is far off the wall.

1,015
Logs
683
Divers
21.0 m
⌀ Depth
20.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares

★★★★☆ West End

Great location to get out of the winds and waves when blowing from south east. Just around the corner on the north side it has gentle sloping wall and vibrant soft corals. Easy dive for all levels and generally little or no current.

411
Logs
257
Divers
22.0 m
⌀ Depth
18.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares, Janez Kranjc

★★★★☆ Spotted Bay

Spotted Bay is a shallower northside dive. The reef is moored in a shallower sandy area but leads out to a less defined wall than other sites at Turtle Harbor. There is a second wall further out but you have to swim further from the main wall.

1,028
Logs
669
Divers
21.0 m
⌀ Depth
22.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares, Janez Kranjc

★★★★★ Don Quickset

Cool dive site with a fair amount of structure and sand channels. Not as colorful as some sites. No mooring so drift dive is your option. Less that 30m max depth.

501
Logs
306
Divers
20.0 m
⌀ Depth
23.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares

★★★★☆ CJ’s Dropoff

Located on the North Side of the Island, about 55mins from the dive centers, this site is known for massive walls reaching beyond 140ft. View the sandy patches at 30ft for beautiful sites.

468
Logs
351
Divers
25.0 m
⌀ Depth
16.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares, Janez Kranjc

★★★★☆ Willy’s Hole

Located in turtle harbor. Willy’s hole is just past the maze and it known by the cavern/cave at about 24 meters. Not a difficult dive but deeper depths are possible.

22
Logs
20
Divers
28.0 m
⌀ Depth
6.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares, Janez Kranjc

★★★★☆ The Maze

A unique maze-like channel that makes this site special. An average depth of 40ft, the top section of the reef is slightly shallower at 15ft. Past the buoy’s the sandy bottom opens into the deep.

1,262
Logs
842
Divers
24.0 m
⌀ Depth
22.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares

★★★★☆ Fish Bowl

Situated on the Northern side of the island within Turtle Harbor. A sandy-bottomed reef gives a beautiful setting and something that makes divers come back again and again.

180
Logs
69
Divers
13.0 m
⌀ Depth
31.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares

★★★★☆ The Pinnacle

The Pinnacle is situated toward the eastern part of Turtle Harbor on the North side of the island. The top of the reef is at about 15-20ft (4.5m-6m) and if you dive away from the wall you can go explore a couple of interesting shallow channels.

861
Logs
564
Divers
25.0 m
⌀ Depth
20.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares

★★★★☆ Duppy Waters

Duppy Waters is a northside wall dive located in Turtle Harbor. Only a short swim across the shallow reef on top until the bottom opens up below you! The wall drops to depths well part 40 meters.

807
Logs
559
Divers
24.0 m
⌀ Depth
20.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares, Janez Kranjc

★★★★★ Great Wall

Located in Turtle Harbour this site fits the description. You roll off the boat and swim over to the wall.... looking down it drops to a minimum of 50 meters and probably much further.

78
Logs
63
Divers
25.0 m
⌀ Depth
23.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares, Predrag Vuckovic

★★★★☆ Blackish Point

Given it’s name because of a large population of a Black Groupers that used to hang around in this area, sadly no longer here. It is situated about 45 minutes form the main hub.

444
Logs
314
Divers
21.0 m
⌀ Depth
30.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares

★★★★☆ Iron Bound

An interesting site where the wall itself drops to 70 ft, opening up to stretches of sand. This site is on the northeast side of the Island, about 45 mins from most dive centers. Some interesting swim-throughs and overhangs, which makes for a scenic dive site.

641
Logs
440
Divers
19.0 m
⌀ Depth
19.0 m
⌀ Visibility

Diving in North Side of Utila

Utila's North Side offers a captivating dive experience with diverse sites perfect for both shore and liveaboard diving. One of the highlights is the Halliburton Wreck, a popular dive site that attracts enthusiasts with its intriguing history and vibrant marine life. The wreck sits upright, providing an excellent opportunity for exploration and photography. Another notable site is Black Hills, renowned for its underwater pinnacles and the abundance of schooling fish, making it a favorite among shore divers. For those seeking a unique experience, night diving in the North Side reveals fascinating nocturnal behaviors of marine creatures like octopuses and lobsters. The balance between shore and liveaboard offerings ensures that divers can enjoy flexibility in their adventures, exploring the vibrant coral reefs and diverse ecosystems at their own pace. The region's variety of dive sites and experiences makes it a must-visit for any diving enthusiast.

The best Months to dive in North Side of Utila

Utila's North Side offers excellent diving opportunities year-round, with water temperatures ranging from 27°C–30°C/81°F–86°F. These warm temperatures make diving comfortable throughout the year. Visibility typically ranges from 15 to 30 meters/49 to 98 feet, providing clear conditions for underwater exploration.

Diving is possible all year, but from October to December, divers may encounter stronger winds and currents, potentially affecting dive plans. However, these conditions rarely disrupt diving activities. The rest of the year generally offers calmer seas and minimal currents, making it ideal for divers of all experience levels to enjoy the rich marine life and stunning coral reefs.

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