Snorkel· Utila· Other Caribbean
North Side Reef Snorkel (Blackish Point, Utila)
16° 7.5′ N · 86° 56.1′ W
The reef off Utila's north shore near Blackish Point is the island's quieter, wilder side. Clear water, healthy coral and few boats make it the snorkel-trip alternative to the busy south shore.
Practical
The coordinate is the Blackish Point dive site from Wannadive (precision 'exact': N16°07.459' W86°56.127'). The site is listed as a boat dive with an average depth of 15 m, a maximum of 26 m, low current and 10-30 m visibility. Snorkellers need a guided boat trip that picks the shallow reef tops: Utila Guide lists north-side and sea-mound snorkel trips with Sunbliss Tours, booked through the Juice Bar near the town centre, and notes that dive shops give divers priority on their boats. The north side faces the open sea. Go on calm days, and use moorings or an operator's boat, never an anchor on the reef.
Best for
Guided snorkel on the uncrowded north-side reef
Season
Calm days; avoid in northers and strong trades
Nearby
- Duppy Waters (Utila)0.7 NM away
- Turtle Harbour Wildlife Refuge (Utila north side)1.1 NM away
- Utila Whale Shark Encounters1.8 NM away
- Iguana Station (Utila)2.4 NM away
- Utila Lagoon & Mangrove Canal2.4 NM away
- Blue Bayou Snorkel (Utila south shore)2.5 NM away
- Chepes Beach (Utila)2.5 NM away
- CJ's Drop-off (Utila)2.6 NM away
Place data includes © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).