CJ's Drop Off is a classic vertical wall on Utila's south side. The reef top sits at 9 metres and the bottom drops past 42 metres in a clean, near-vertical face covered in tube sponges, sea fans and black coral. Sandy channels near the lip give the dive a shallow second half, while the deep face below is advanced ground.
Also known as CJ's Drop-off.
Where it is and how deep
16.0645° N, 86.9500° WApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.
The dive
You start on the reef top at about 9 metres and fin out to the lip, where the bottom drops past 42 metres in a clean, near-vertical face covered in tube sponges, sea fans and black coral. Current is usually mild to moderate, so the wall is normally swum along with the blue on one shoulder rather than drifted. Barracuda, jacks and turtles cruise the edge, so the first half of the dive is spent working the lip with one eye out into the blue.
Near the top of the wall a series of sandy channels leads back into shallower water, and the second half of the dive belongs there. Fin through the channels slowly and inspect the cracks and crevices as you go: spiny Caribbean lobsters and goldentail moray eels are common. Staying on the reef top keeps the whole dive within reach of any experience level, which is what makes the site work for mixed groups.
Marine life and season
- Barracuda
- Trevally & jacks
- Sea turtles
- Macro critters
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fair | Good | Prime | Prime | Prime | Good | Good | Good | Good | Fair | Fair | Good |
Season follows Utila: March to May is dry, clearest and best for whale sharks; October and November bring the heaviest rain and some runoff.
Know before you go
- The face drops past 42 metres with little visual reference, so it is easy to slide below plan - agree a maximum depth before entry and watch your computer while you are on the wall.
Dive videos
2015 Utila, CJs Drop Off · SinCityScuba on YouTube
260ft Trimix Dive at CJ's Drop Off. Utila, Honduras,Utila Dive Centre · AbysmalResonance on YouTube
Questions divers ask
How deep is CJ's Drop Off?+
The reef top sits at about 9 metres and the wall drops past 42 metres. Most dives are spent along the upper face and the sandy channels near the lip rather than deep on the wall.
Is CJ's Drop Off suitable for new divers?+
The reef top and its sandy channels suit any experience level, but the deeper wall is advanced ground: the bottom falls past 42 metres and the current runs mild to moderate.
Sources
- Utila Dive Sites, Bay Islands, Honduras — Dive The World
In The Logbook
- The best wall dives in the worldWalls & drop-offs · 11 min read
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