Now one of the world’s best known diving sites, Mary’s Place had to close for a while it got so busy. The hype is due to its shape, a main wall off which a maze of crevices and ridges, swim-throughs and caves which have filled with coral growth and attract an incredible array of Caribbean diving favourites. Everything from tiny sea horses to nurse sharks to giant eagle rays.

The sloping wall, which starts in the shallows is a haven for jewelfish, grouper and snapper, hiding in the crevices in the wall between the hard and soft corals. Crabs and lobster live in the cracks as well, poking their eyes out on the ledges until it’s safe to reveal more of themselves and hard coral grows in pillars in places. Below forty feet the wall is a protective barrier for larger fish as well, jack and permit school near the surface, creating strange shapes as the float over your head.

Written by  Danny Jones.

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Mary's Place

Mary’s Place is well known for being an impressive dive site, so much so that it was closed for a couple of years due to environmental damage from over diving. However the reef’s coral and marine life recovered quickly and many divers say it has come back better than ever.

The main dive site is between two crevices which cut through the reef and are lined on both sides with huge black coral fans. Slim shining silversides, sponges and banded shrimp thrive amongst the coral. The crevices slope down into the ocean and end in a wall, which is home to large numbers of brightly coloured fish who are protected by huge gorgonian sea fans. Around the shallower edges are coral canyons, home to giant crabs.

This site often has visits from rays, turtles and Creole wrasse.

The wreck of the El Aguila is also located at Roatan, covered in expansive coral growths, it sits upright in 100ft of water.

 

Review posted 3rd May 2007 by World Reviewer Staff.

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