Ten years ago I began my SCUBA diving career in Roatan, Honduras. After completing my divemaster course in Las Vegas, I was craving experience working in the ocean and moved to the small Caribbean island to pursue that dream. Since then it has remained one of my favorite dive destinations, and it will always hold a special place in my heart. Here are my top 5 reasons to dive Roatan!
#5 Macro
This seasonal macro treasure is always a favorite. ‘Peas’, or juvenile spotted trunkfish, can be found bobbing clumsily in the folds of hard corals.
Roatan is home to a stunning variety of macrolife. From seahorses to nudibranchs, and everything Caribbean in between, the diving will astound appreciators of the details. Check out Mickey Charteris’ definitive guide to Caribbean Reef Life to see what you can see!
#4 Conditions/Accessibility
The crystal clear conditions around Roatan make underwater wildlife watching a breeze.
In terms of how easy diving can be, Roatan is the gold standard. With more than 40 dive sites within a twenty-minute boat ride, and nearly year round calm, warm and clear conditions, Roatan (specifically West End) is the perfect destination for stress-free diving. On my Roatan Dive Safari, our host dive center is partnered with the island’s premiere waterfront boutique hotel, providing a seamless experience from the comfort of your suite to the reef. Diving can’t get any easier or more pleasant.
#3 Walls
Reef walls surround the entire island of Roatan and create a surreal backdrop for diving.
As part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef system, Roatan is fringed on all sides by dramatic reef walls. Some of the more famous wall sites include West End Wall at the southern point of the island to El Aguila where an enormous tanker wreck sits at the base of the reef. Looking towards the wall you will be astounded by the variety of coral, sponge, fish and invertebrate life. With your back to the wall, you have an ideal vantage point of the open blue where larger pelagic creatures can occasionally be spotted cruising past.
#2 Variety
Sand patches are often overlooked as good places to dive. Their uniformity makes it easy to spot any creature crossing them.
Dive site variability in Roatan is unmatched. Steep drop-offs, shallow swim-thrus, wrecks, expansive reefs and vast sand patches provide the ultimate spectrum of selection when it comes to dive sites. Divers of all experience levels will find something to scratch their underwater itch.
#1 Conservation/Reefs
An incredible variety of corals, sponges, fish and invertebrates can be found around the well-protected reefs of Roatan.
The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef is the second largest barrier reef in the world, and Roatan sits neatly in one corner. Through dedicated work by the Roatan Marine Park, Roatan’s reefs have remained well protected. Threats like lionfish invasion and coral degradation are constantly monitored and mitigated, making Roatan a top spot to support marine conservation, and get your fix for awe-inspiring ocean experiences.
If you need more convincing, check out this article in SCUBA Diving Magazine for 25 more reasons…
Ready to dive Roatan? Reserve a space on one of my Roatan Dive Safaris and prepare to be amazed!