Villa on Dunbar Rock, Roatan and Guanaja

Located off the coast of Honduras, Roatan and the other Bay Islands mark the end of the mighty Mesoamerican Barrier Reef - the second biggest barrier reef in the world - which sweeps down from Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Incredibly, Honduras is one of the only countries in the world where the reefs’ health is improving each year, meaning Roatan is a true paradise for divers. In fact, with more than 100 dive sites with shallow, sun-soaked coral gardens and plummeting walls, shipwrecks and sharks, and everything from miniature macro to big marine life, there’s rarely a dull moment underwater here.

Diving West End and West Bay

Located on the northwest coast, West Bay is home to several iconic Roatan dive sites including Divemaster’s Choice, Dixie’s Place, and Lighthouse Reef. Hole in the Wall is another stunning site that starts with a dramatic descent through a long sandy chute and emerges into the deep blue through a hole in the reef wall at around 30 metres. Half Moon Bay Wall is also a must for any diver visiting Roatan. This impressive wall dive lies just seconds from the shore and is decorated with gorgonians, black coral, and vibrant elephant ear sponges.

West Bay and West End Point offer yet more worthy wall dives, with converging currents creating drifts and beckoning pelagic species in from the deep. Black Rock, The Point, and Pablo’s Place are three of the best sites here, as well as West End Wall - easily one of Roatan’s best dive sites, home to tarpon, jacks, barracuda, and eagle rays.

Roatan's wreck dives

Despite Roatan’s history of exploration, piracy, and uncharted reef-strewn waters - not to mention hurricanes - the island’s most frequently visited wrecks were all deliberately scuttled, creating thriving artificial reefs and interesting underwater experiences. 

The first Roatan wreck to be intentionally sunk was the 43-metre Prince Albert, which rests at around 20-metres and is still in good shape. Significant coral growth provides shelter for arrow crabs, seahorses, and eels above deck, while eagle rays glide past in the distance. Roatan’s most recently scuttled wreck - the Mr. Bud - can be found just a short distance away near French Cay. On the northern shore, the 70-metre El Aguila has been broken into several pieces by strong storm surges, providing plenty of nooks and crannies where interesting creatures hide. And, heading northeast along the coast, you’ll find Roatan’s biggest planned wreck, the 91-metre Odyssey, which sits upright in around 30-metres of water.

Shark diving in Roatan

Roatan’s main - if not only - shark dive can be found on the south side of the island, just offshore from the capital, Coxen Hole. Known as “Cara a Cara” - meaning ‘face to face’ - this site allows divers to get up-close and personal with a dozen or more usually shy Caribbean reef sharks which are lured in by a chum-bucket. The average depth of this sandy plateau is around 20-metres and currents can be strong, requiring a quick, negative entry. 

Of course, it is also possible to go whale shark diving in Roatan, with most regular excursions heading to nearby Utila where these incredible creatures can be seen more or less year-round.

Cayos Cochinos

This protected marine park contains the two main islands of Cayo Menor and Cayo Grande, as well as a number of small cays, and is considered to offer some of the most pristine diving in the region. Cocos Sea Mount - also known as the Roatan Banks - is arguably the best-known dive site, thanks to its impressive biodiversity. The pinnacle rises from the deep ocean floor to within almost ten-metres of the surface, and is surrounded by vast schools of jacks, snapper and barracuda, as well as turtles, spotted eagle rays and groupers. Other highlights include Toon Town and Pelican Point dive sites.