Tela

Just what it says! Tela has its own reef. This discovery was made in 2009 when Marcelo Dicunta, from Tela Dive Center, began diving in the bay with his German friend, Siegfried Mann, and another Spanish man who enjoyed fishing and knew all the best fishing spots. The fishermen in the area argued that in some places there were “rock beds”, and thanks to the exploration of the area they discovered that these were in fact coral reefs. At the time no one had equipment for diving.

The total reef extension covers an area of approximately 8 kilometers, which includes three reef colonies. This resembles an underwater mountain range that crosses the bay and rises up to 10 meters from the surface. Its width from north to south ranges from a few meters to a few hundred meters at its widest part. Capiro reef is located between Punta Sal and Punta Izopo and extends from east to west. Here you can behold Caribbean reef fish and several species of coral, including Coral Lettuce, a predominant species that covers over 90% per square meter in some places. It takes between 7 and 8 miles to reach them from the mainland.

Further up the bay you will encounter the Vietnam reef, about 12 km from the mainland. The reef can be accessed by anyone who has scuba certification. If you do not, you can take a diving course with a certified instructor from Tela Dive Center. Take into account that when diving it is forbidden to touch the reef or remove anything from the seabed. Fishing is not permitted, only recreational diving is allowed. You are permitted to take photos and make memories, leaving behind only bubbles.
Currently close to 20 sites have been identified and explored by Tela Dive Center to offer another opportunity for adventure in the bay. Their names are the same used by the Garífuna and locals to designate their traditional fishing areas. To see the Capiro reef and how healthy the live coral is with your own eyes is absolutely something you must experience.

Tela Dive Center also offers PADI courses, dive trips, sale and rental of dive equipment. They also offer dives in La Ensenada, Punta Sal and Punta Izopo, as well as tours to Cayos Cochinos. The tour includes transportation to the dive sites, complete dive equipment, refreshments on the boat and a certified guide.