Roatán and the Bay Islands

Roatán is the largest of the Bay Islands, off the north coast of Honduras on the southern end of the Mesoamerican Reef. The reef lies close to shore, so most dives are a short boat ride from West End, West Bay or Sandy Bay. Walls, canyons, swim-throughs and a few wrecks make up the diving, along with turtles, groupers, moray eels and plenty of reef fish.

Conditions are generally easy. Current is usually light, many sites are sheltered and the water is warm all year, so Roatán is a popular place to learn to dive and to build experience. The deeper sites, such as the El Aguila wreck at around 30 m and the more exposed walls, are better for Advanced divers. Much of the west end lies within a marine park, and divers pay a small park fee through their dive shop.

Roatán is diveable all year. The rainier months run from about mid-October to February, when runoff can reduce visibility, sometimes sharply. March to May is usually the driest and clearest period. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June to November.

Utila, a smaller island to the west, is known for whale sharks, which can turn up in any month, with March to May often named as the best chance. Encounters are by snorkel only and are never guaranteed. Most divers base themselves in West End or West Bay on Roatán and dive with a local shop.