1. Turtle Rock – max depth 12m/40 feet
Inside the protection of the outer reef this is a good bet for those windier days that may make some of the other sites less pleasant. It is common to see sting rays, moray eels, lobster and toadfish here, and is also a great night dive where lobster and octopus come out of their holes in the reef to feed, and where turtles sometimes come to rest. Again about a 10 minute ride to the site.
2. Stanley Reef – max depth 12m/40 feet
This site is also inside the outer reef, close to Turtle Rock and consists of a drift dive down the reef gently sloping down to maximum depth before heading shallow again for the end of dive safety stop. Species here include nurse sharks, sting rays, midnight parrotfish, lobster, shrimp. At night the midnight parrotfish can be seen jammed into holes in the reef in large numbers.
3. White Holes – max depth 8m/26 feet
Although only a shallow site most visitors to the island list this as one of their favourites. About a 10 minute boat ride to the north of the island, 3 sand patches surrounded by staghorn and elkhorn coral make up the site which is the most reliable place on the island to see nurse sharks and eagle rays. Other species include barracuda, sting rays, trigger fish and the occasional turtle.
4. Little Rock – max depth 16m/55 feet
About 15 minutes from the dive shop off the north end of the island this site is outside the outer reef and consists of patches of coral reef inhabited by a wide variety of reef species, including spotted moray eels, lobster, nurse sharks, sting rays.
6. The Caves – max depth 10m/33 feet
A series of overhangs and caves where you can sometimes see a resident goliath grouper about 1.5m/5ft long as well as schools of other reef fish sheltering in these natural formations.
7. The Tunnels – max depth 10m/33 feet
Awesome swim through tunnels perforated by the sunlight from above, opening up to reef where you can often see Caribbean reef sharks. Also seen here are nurse sharks, eagle rays, sting rays and other reef fish. 10-15 minutes by boat on the east side of the island.
8. Tarpon Channel – max depth 22m/75 feet
This gently sloping channel out through the reef is your best chance of seeing great hammerhead sharks on Little Corn. Also seen here are groups of eagle rays swimming overhead.
9. Yellowtail – max depth 18m/60 feet
A beautiful site only 5 minutes by boat from the dive shop, Yellowtail consists of a maze of sandy channels in between coral reef, including a couple of small archways. Species seen here include nurse sharks, eagle rays, sting rays, barracuda, jacks, triggerfish, drumfish, lots of colourful grunts and lobster. It has also been known to encounter dolphins on the surface near this site.
10. Jeff’s Rock – max depth 24m/80 feet
A group of reef outcrops surrounded by flat sand means that this site attracts fish from around the area to shelter and feed. Only a 5 minute boat ride you can see nurse sharks, eagle rays, sting rays, lobster, snapper and grouper at this site.
11. Long Rock – max depth 24m/80 feet
A great site for looking in cracks and crevices in the reef, about a 10 minute ride from the dive shop. As well as the chance of sting rays and other reef fish this is a great site for seeing lobster, crab, shrimp, drumfish and moray eels.
12. Jake’s Place – max depth 16m/55 feet
About 10 minutes from the shop, this site consists of 3 reefs shaped like fingers. A good site for a variety of reef fish and crustaceans. Dolphins have also been spotted at this site.
Blowing Rock – max depth 24m/80 feet
Quite simply the best dive site in the Corn Islands, Blowing Rock is 16 miles away and takes 45-60 minutes to reach, depending on weather. But the trip is definitely worth it for the sheer number of fish at this site, which consists of a rocky islet breaking the surface in the middle of nowhere! It is common to see Caribbean reef sharks, nurse sharks, eagle rays, sting rays, moray eels and huge numbers of barracuda, jacks and reef fish. Dived as a two tank trip with the surface interval spent on the boat, this is the highlight of any diving trip to the Corn Islands.
