Shark Ray Alley - Utila

Shark Ray Alley, huh? Don’t let the name fool you, it’s not exactly a feeding frenzy with tiger sharks, but it’s still a cracking little spot, especially if you’re newer to diving or just want a chill outing. We always find it’s a perfect warm-up dive, a gentle introduction to Utila’s reefs. The site is really a shallow patch reef, mostly between 8 and 12 metres, which means excellent light penetration. You get these incredible shafts of sunlight cutting through the water, highlighting the texture of the Finger and Staghorn corals. We love drifting along, spotting Yellowline Gobies darting between the coral heads, and often, you’ll see big schools of Redear Herring shimmering in the blue. Our favourite time to visit is mid-morning, just after the initial rush, when the sun is high. Keep an eye out for the resident Key Worm Eel – it’s a shy one, but often pops its head out from sandy patches near the larger coral bommies. Visibility here is consistently good, usually 20 metres plus, making it a stress-free dive where you can really soak it all in. It’s a great site for photographers too, especially with wide-angle setups, capturing those sunbeams and the gentle movement of the reef.

Location
Utila, Honduras, Central America
Coordinates
17.851570, -88.020140
Type
reef

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 Shark Ray Alley

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 Shark Ray Alley

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