Cayo Levisa coral garden

At a maximum depth of 14 metres, don’t be drawn into a false sense that this will be a disappointing dive. Bright sunlight filters down into the water, and the whole dive is in perfect visibility and daylight.

There is plenty to see too – healthy corals, sponges and an abundance of marine life that has no fear of you. Schools of yellow tail snapper, sergeant majors and schoolmasters mob you- so much that you have to almost bump them out of the way!

On the outer side of the reef, away over the sandy sea bed, barracuda, large snapper and sizeable puffer fish patrol the waters, and the occasional turtle grazes in the reed beds that cover the sandy bottom.

On the reef itself, the corals are in a very healthy state – bright in colour, varied in size, and providing shelter for all of the little critters – nudibranchs, flatworms, arrow crabs and brittle star fish are all plentiful. Large hermit crabs scuttle along the sea bed in their conch shells, and keep an eye out for horned morays, crabs and lobster too in the nooks and crannies.

And, if you are as lucky as a lottery winner, Cayo Levisa’s resident family of manatees may be in sight. Whilst not common here, they do visit as it is close to their home in the mangroves on the islands shore.

A gentle surge washes the reef, keeping it healthy and very well fed, and this can bring in some bigger fish on their hunting trips, so it is always worth looking away from the reef – you never know!

A perfect relaxing dive – for the inexperienced or experienced, whichever you may be. Take a camera – you won’t be disappointed.