www.divein.com · Guide
Blue-water descent, current at the seamount, thick schools of wrasse and jacks, and frequent eagle rays.
Dive Spot Guide•
Black Hills
Black Hills is Utila's classic offshore seamount.
ScubaBoat EntryAdvanced
Pinnacle
Boat dive with a blue-water descent, a steep seamount profile, and current that can build, so it suits practiced divers.
About Black Hills
Black Hills is Utila's offshore seamount for divers who want a blue-water descent, a compact orbit around a steep wall, and a real chance to work current without losing the reef. The site is prized for dense schools of fish, jacks and barracuda on the high points, and frequent eagle rays and turtles along the circuit. It suits practiced divers who are comfortable holding position, watching the shot line, and turning the dive before the water starts to go.
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Research Estimate At Black Hills
Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.
VisibilityVisibility: 24m
AccessChallenging entry effort
Coral HealthHealthy coral
Marine LifeExceptional variety
FacilitiesGood facilities
CrowdedQuite busy
Current StrengthStrong current
Where Is Black Hills?
This spotNearby spots
Community sourced coordinates.
Black Hills Planning Details
Depth range, seasonality, and planning context.
Reported Depth
10m - 40m
Depth Note
Top of the mound is about 10 m; depth can drop to 40+ m depending on the side.
Best Season
Year-round; calmer seas make the blue-water work and ascent easier to manage.
Typical Conditions
Offshore seamount diving with current often present, a compact circuit around the pinnacle, and visibility that can swing with conditions.
Safety & Access At Black Hills
Hazards, restrictions, and access requirements.
Key Hazards
Strong current
Safety Notes
Strong currents can occur at the surface and underwater; plan dives accordingly.
Access Restrictions
No shore access. Plan on a boat dive with a blue-water descent and open-water ascent.
Legal Notes
Follow the operator briefing and any local marine-area rules; no special public restrictions were surfaced.
Local Intel For Black Hills
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Scuba
Best as a scuba dive for practiced divers who can hold position in current and stay comfortable with blue-water work.
Freedive
Not a freedive-first site; the open-water profile and current make it a poor fit for routine breath-hold diving.
Snorkel
Not a snorkel-focused site; most of the action sits on the seamount and along deeper water.
Black Hills Dive Conditions Planner
Use the planner to scan this week, inspect today in local time, and understand how exposure shapes conditions at Black Hills.
Current Snapshot
No data
🌥️Variable
Sunrise
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Time
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Sunset
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Surface / Entry
Wind No data · Tide No data
Sea State
Swell No data · Period unavailable
Visibility Outlook
Rain chance No data
Wind
No data
Swell
No data
Exposure Profile at Black Hills
Directional shelter context for incoming swell.
Exposure Note
Hourly forecast data is not available yet.
Wildlife at Black Hills
Species commonly reported at this site, with direct links into their wildlife guides.
Recent Logged Visits At Black Hills
Community dive logs and visit reports for this site.
No Dive Logs Yet
Be the first to log a dive at this spot and share your experience!
Dive Spot Log Averages At Black Hills
Average conditions based on logged dives & visits.
Conditions
Avg. Visibility24m
Activity
No dive activity logged yet.
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Black Hills Guide - Frequently Asked Questions
Planning answers for access, conditions, timing, and site logistics.
Black Hills Guide - Sources and Updates
Last Updated
Research Sources
www.insidescubadiving.com · Article
Published Mar 18, 2019Black Hills sits offshore of Utila, with seamount ascent, light current, barracuda, and a resident turtle.
www.wediveutila.com · Operator
Colorful corals, common current, and frequent barracuda, jackfish, wrasse, morays, and hawksbill turtles.
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