This dive site, Big Rock, is a highly frequented and cherished destination in Utila, catering to a wide range of divers from beginners to advanced. It is characterized by a distinctive large sandy patch that begins at approximately 4.5 meters (15 feet) and gently slopes down, eventually transitioning into a beautiful wall dive. Its accessibility and varied topography make it a perfect spot for student training and exploration, with straightforward navigation along the sand and wall.
The marine life at Big Rock is particularly notable for its unique macro inhabitants. The site is renowned as the probable home to the largest seahorse in Utila, often spotted openly in the sandy areas between 18-24 meters, artfully camouflaged amongst a massive colony of garden eels. Beyond these special attractions, divers can anticipate encountering a vibrant array of typical Caribbean reef fish, diverse hard and soft corals along the wall, and various crustaceans inhabiting the reef.
Big Rock is an excellent dive site to visit year-round, with the dry season (generally March to September) offering optimal conditions with calm waters and superb visibility. For freedivers, the site's maximum depth of 20 meters and its intriguing features make it an ideal location for breath-hold diving. Scuba divers will enjoy the ease of diving and the opportunity for both wide-angle reef photography and macro photography, especially when searching for the elusive seahorse and observing the mesmerizing garden eels.
