Split Rock
Max Depth: 30m
GPS Coordinates
Lat: 19.358733
Lon: -81.11255
Named for a narrow canyon that divides the reef, Split Rock is great wall dive. Divers can begin by dropping down through the split that appears as if gouged through the rock. Heading east after passing through brings them to a ledge profuse with black coral. On a morning dive, the rising sun shines through these dark forests of coral, creating soporific silhouettes. Afternoon dives are ideal for photography as the western sun shows all the small details of these fascinating corals.
West of the pin, the site has several headlands that jut away from the wall. The western faces of each of these points also have prolific black coral formations. It is not unusual to feel a little current as you round each headland, and it is fascinating to watch the corals' polyps twitching as they catch plankton in the moving water that passes through the branches of the coral. The deep sponges, including Brain Sponges and Tubulate Sponges, often have resident Brittle Stars – hairy-legged and freaky looking; these crazy critters can reproduce by splitting themselves in half and regrowing their arms!
Like any site, divers find that Split Rock needs several dives to get a feel for it. Numerous swim-throughs and tunnels bisect the reef wall, choosing a different one each time will show you something new.