Utila - Blackish Point - Utila

Blackish Point is a favourite along Utila’s north shore, where the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef plunges straight down into the deep blue. We love a wall dive, and this one delivers with dramatic vertical drops that just feel endless. As you drift along, keep an eye out into the open water; those months from March to May and again from September to December often bring in whale sharks, a truly humbling encounter. The wall itself is just coated in corals, a tapestry of colours that shift with the sunlight filtering down. We’ve spent whole dives just following a single longspine squirrelfish, or watching the busy doctorfish schools graze the reef. It’s a site that really rewards a slow drift, letting the current do the work while you soak in the scale of the reef. This isn't just a site for new divers; seasoned wall divers will find plenty to appreciate here, especially with the chance of those big pelagics passing through.

Location
Utila, Honduras, Central America
Coordinates
16.105000, -86.880000
Type
reef
Maximum Depth
5-20m

Marine Protected Area: Sistema de Humedales de la Isla de Utila

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 Utila - Blackish Point

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 Utila - Blackish Point

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the typical depth range for a dive at Utila's Blackish Point?
The typical depth range for a dive at Utila's Blackish Point is between 5 and 20 meters. This site offers excellent opportunities to explore a vibrant reef within these depths.
What kind of marine life and underwater topography can divers expect to encounter at Blackish Point in Utila?
Divers at Blackish Point can expect to encounter a stunning reef topography, as it's part of the dramatic drop-off of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. This wall diving site is particularly known for attracting magnificent whale sharks during specific seasons.
How challenging is diving at Blackish Point in Utila, and is it suitable for beginner divers?
Diving at Blackish Point is classified as intermediate difficulty. Therefore, it is generally not recommended for absolute beginner divers. Divers should have some experience to comfortably enjoy the wall diving conditions here.
When is the best time of year to dive Blackish Point in Utila for optimal conditions and marine life sightings?
For optimal marine life sightings, particularly whale sharks, the best times to dive Blackish Point are from March to May and again from September to December. While specific optimal conditions aren't detailed, these periods offer excellent opportunities to encounter these majestic creatures. For more general information on dive seasons, visit our When to Dive guide.
What scuba diving certifications are recommended or required to dive at Utila's Blackish Point?
Given that Blackish Point is an intermediate-difficulty dive site, divers are typically recommended to have at least an Advanced Open Water certification or equivalent experience. While a specific certification isn't explicitly required in the data, having advanced training will enhance your safety and enjoyment of the wall diving environment. It's always best to check with local dive operators for their specific requirements.
What are the typical current conditions and visibility like at the Blackish Point dive site in Utila?
The provided data does not specify the typical current conditions or visibility at Blackish Point. However, as a world-class wall diving site on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, it often implies good visibility and potentially varying currents. For the most up-to-date information on currents and visibility, we recommend consulting local dive centers in Utila directly before your dive.