Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
SAFE & RESPONSIBLE DIVING
Exploring the coral reefs and underwater caves is one of the Corn Island's main attractions, but
the scuba-diving industry is far more low-key here than in many other destinations in the region.
Most dives around the Corn Islands are in fairly shallow waters, which alleviates many safety
concerns, but it's still vitally important that you choose a responsible dive center that you feel
comfortable with.
When choosing an operator, find out the instructor-to-student ratio and ask to see the equip-
ment before you dive to make sure it is well maintained. You may also want to test the air in the
tanks (it should be taste and odor free) and make sure that the boats have sufficient life vests.
When the diving industry was in its infancy here, some divers returned from trips with envir-
onmental horror stories, including boat captains dropping their anchors on the reefs, disposing of
rubbish at dive sites and manhandling the coral. Since then sustainable practices have come a
long way and local dive operators now run pretty tight ships but visitors still play an important
role in protecting the fragile ecosystem. Follow the instructions of your divemaster closely, fasten
all your equipment tightly so nothing is flapping about, and resist the temptation to reach out and
touch no matter how insignificant it may seem - small organisms are often the most fragile.
Dangers & Annoyances
Bare-bones law enforcement and a growing tourist industry has seen theft become a prob-
lem on the Corn Islands, especially from hotel rooms. While muggings are uncommon,
tourists on Great Corn are discouraged from walking around Bluff Point without a local
chaperone.
The
panga
crossing between Great and Little Corn can get extremely rough, especially
during the windy season (November to January). Squalls are common (on land and sea)
and swells can grow as high as 3m, throwing walls of water over the boat and her passen-
gers. It makes for one white-knuckle, and sometimes bruising, roller-coaster ride. The
back seats bounce less, but you are more likely to get wet.
Great Corn Island
POP 7100
Large enough to get lost in humble hillside and beachfront neighborhoods that are poor
but still so full of spirit, and small enough to find your way home again, Great Corn is on
the shortlist for most authentic Caribbean island. Here are barefoot bars, commercial fish-
ing wharfs, pickup baseball games on the beach, smiling young lobster divers catch-in-
hand, an ever-present armada of elders sitting in rocking chairs on creaky front porches
