Utila, Bay Islands, Honduras

Jack Neil Point

Jack Neil Point is a north-shore wall dive at the western end of Utila, named after the headland at the same location. The dive begins on a coral plateau at 10 meters with stands of brain and lettuce coral, sea rods and large barrel sponges, then runs to a steep wall that drops from 18 past 35 meters. The wall is heavily encrusted with rope sponges in oranges and purples, deep-water gorgonians, tube sponges and clusters of black coral. Reef life is consistent and includes hawksbill turtle, queen and grey angelfish, spotted moray, schooling creole wrasse, midnight parrotfish and the occasional spotted eagle ray. The deeper face is reliable for Caribbean reef shark passages during the cooler months and macro photographers regularly find cleaner shrimp, arrow crabs and juvenile drum tucked into the upper wall. Conditions are usually calm; visibility runs 22 to 30 meters.