Punta Gorda, Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve, Belize

Nicholas Caye

Nicholas Caye lies in the Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve next to Hunting Caye, on the southern barrier reef. The dive runs along the seaward edge of the caye, with the reef top at 10 metres and a slope through coral garden to the wall edge at 22 to 25 metres. The structure features mountainous star coral, brain coral, sheet coral, pillar coral and gorgonian fans in good health thanks to remote location and protection. The wall is decorated with deep-water sea fans, large barrel sponges and yellow tube sponges. Reef life is abundant: schools of horse-eye jacks, yellowtail snapper, big mutton snappers, schoolmasters, French and queen angelfish, midnight parrotfish, large groupers and queen triggerfish. Caribbean reef sharks pass along the deeper wall, eagle rays glide along the rim and hawksbill turtles graze the sponges. Visibility 18 to 28 metres. Currents are moderate; dives are typically run as drifts. Recommended for divers with deep specialty and wall experience.