Gallows Point Reef - Utila

Gallows Point Reef sits just off Utila’s south shore, often overlooked but it’s a site we consistently enjoy. The reef starts shallow, maybe 6 or 7 metres, before a gentle slope carries you down to around 20 metres. We love dropping in here on a calm morning, the sun painting dappled light across the hard corals. Look closely for the smaller stuff – we’ve had some fantastic encounters with pygmy filefish camouflaged amongst the gorgonians, and it’s a good spot for spotted goatfish rooting around in the sand. Keep an eye out too for the orange filefish, they’re surprisingly bold here. The currents are usually pretty mild, making it a relaxed dive, good for photographers or divers who just want to cruise and observe. We often find schooling grey snapper hanging out under the ledges, and the ballyhoo put on a show closer to the surface. It’s not a dramatic wall dive, but the healthy coral structure and consistent macro life make it a solid choice, especially when the north side is too choppy. We’d suggest going early; the light is better and you often have the place to yourselves.

Location
Utila, Honduras, Central America
Coordinates
17.477740, -88.043580
Type
reef
Maximum Depth
5-20m

Best Time to Dive in Utila

The warmest water temperatures in Utila occur in September, averaging 30.0°C. The coolest conditions are in February at 27.1°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 27.3°C
  • February: 27.1°C
  • March: 27.3°C
  • April: 27.9°C
  • May: 28.6°C
  • June: 29.2°C
  • July: 29.2°C
  • August: 29.7°C
  • September: 30.0°C
  • October: 29.9°C
  • November: 29.1°C
  • December: 28.2°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Utila

Nearest Dive Centres to Gallows Point Reef

Marine Life in Utila

Home to 214 recorded species including 173 reef fish, 18 hard corals, 10 other, 6 sharks & rays, 2 jellyfish, 2 sea urchins.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Gallows Point Reef

Based on average water temperature of 28.6°C, currents 21 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 29°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories