In the Bay of Islands of Honduras, Roatan has become a mecca for underwater lovers. Roatan is home to some of the best scuba diving dive sites in the whole Caribbean. Its calm conditions and affordable prices make it a fantastic place to learn how to dive.
Roatan is also a popular holiday destination for Americans and Canadians escaping the winter, although it doesn’t feel too busy underwater with other groups diving the same dive site. The marine park and the coral reef is well managed and preserved, and only 1 boat is allowed per mooring at the same time.
Visibility is always over 15-20 meters / 45-60 feet (and mostly 25m+ / 70ft+). The diversity is another strength of Roatan. Wrecks, walls, drifts, swim throughs, canyons… there is something for everybody.
We spent 3 months living on the island, working as scuba diving instructors and enjoying the coral reefs and the island life. We dived all along the coasts and worked with different dive centers. If you are heading to Central America or the Caribbean, Roatan is one of the best spots for scuba diving. Affordable courses, great visibility, calm conditions and good weather is a hard to beat combination.
The diving is very diverse so you have plenty of sites to dive at. If you have enough time, we recommend to stay at least one week on the island. PADI Open Water Diver Courses (entry level) takes 3-4 days to complete.
February to July is the dry and best season for scuba diving in Roatan. Although, the diving is good all year around.
Dive Centers in West End and West Bay dive the sites on the west coast and a bit on the north coast, while the resorts tend to dive just the area around them.
We loved Roatan Divers in West End. They are friendly and very professional, their gear is new, the groups are small and they don’t repeat the same dive sites all the time.
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- Photo by Mark Yokoyama, licensed under CC BY
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- Photo by Mark Yokoyama, licensed under CC BY
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- Photo by Mark Yokoyama, licensed under CC BY
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- Photo by Mark Yokoyama, licensed under CC BY
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- Photo by Mark Yokoyama, licensed under CC BY
WHAT WE LIKED THE MOST
- Visibility is over 20-25 meters(70-80 feet) most of the time.
- The great diversity of the dive sites: walls, canyons, drift dives, wrecks… you have everything here.
WHAT WE DIDN’T LIKE THAT MUCH
- We liked everything!
VIDEO: SCUBA DIVING IN ROATAN, HONDURAS
FINAL THOUGHTS
We found scuba diving in Roatan to be surprisingly good, for how many divers visit the island. Coral reefs were well preserved, aquatic life was abundant, visibility was always over 20 meters and the diversity of the dive sites was incredible. From canyons to walls, wrecks, drift, swim-throughs… Roatan has something for everybody.
Another strength of Roatan is that it’s a very affordable place to dive making it one of the most attractive diving destinations in the Caribbean. We recommend you to bring your scuba mask and dive computer, but the rest of the gear can easily be rented on the island.
It’s also a fantastic place for those wanting to try the sport for the first time. Trial-dives and full certification courses are among the most affordable ones in the world plus the calm conditions make it very easy to learn how to dive.
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I really want to go diving off Roatan, but it has never worked out. My parents and I had a trip book a couple of years ago and then there was an airline strike. So we had to change plans. My parents had a trip planned in the 80’s but they had some sort of rebellion issue. I am glad you got to dive the island. Did you get to dive with any whale sharks?
Hey Jennifer!
It’s a fantastic place to dive. Calm seas, great visibility, sunny weather and awesome island vibe. We didn’t get to see whale sharks while in Roatan. You will have better chances off Utila, but the diving and the island itself is very different.
What an amazing video! There was so much to see. I loved the fish that looked blue and it was long like a feather swimming against the waves. And I always love turtles. Beautiful!
That’s one of my favourite ones. It’s called “Filefish”
We got our open water certifications years ago but have only dived in New Zealand and around the Pacific Islands. Looking at the beautiful colours in your underwater photos reminds me just how peaceful and calm it is down there.
Not a bad place to start diving! We also got certified in New Zealand a few years ago and, despite the cold, it was great 🙂
What great images! Looks like the visibility was excellent!
It was, and very consistent all year around which is one of the best things of Roatan.
The underwater world is so beautiful. I really respect people, like yourselves, that can go diving. My biggest fear is drowning, so just the thought of diving into the deep dark ocean makes me breathless.
Scuba diving is actually a lot easier than what it looks. There are one-day trial dives to experience what it feels without having to take the whole course. You should give it a try Jen 🙂
What an incredible experience to live on Roatan and get paid to dive! I visited Roatan about five years ago and was blown away with the fish and the coral while snorkeling there. Now that I have my open water, I’m really looking forward to returning one day to really take advantage of the underwater beauty! Thanks for the helpful tips, I’ll be sure to keep your information handy!
Once you get scuba certified is hard to go back to snorkelling!
I loved your video! The turtles were the best, and there were some crazy looking fish! lol I am amazed at how blue everything was too, gorgeous. Were you using a red filter to film?
Yes, I used a red filter but only for the shots that were deeper than 10-12 meters. The last shot of the turtle for example is taken without.
Three months…excellent. Looks like you had a pleasant, beautiful experience. We will shortly be on our way through inland Honduras. Any take on traveler safety inland?
It really depends on the area. I crossed on my bicycle alone (Amanda was waiting for me in Roatan) and had no problems. I loved the mountains near the border with El Salvador. However, I found the caribbean coast to be sketchy, so stay alert if you are heading that way.
Sounds amazing! I’ve heard of quite a few people now actually who travel and find work as scuba instructors – seems like a pretty awesome way to be able to travel and set yourself up in a new place for a few months. I neeeeeeeed to get my certification stat!!
Being able to work in diving is a great skill to have while travelling long term. You can rest of being on the move continuously, meet new people, dive in a new place and have a “home” for a while.
Roatan looks like an amazing place to go diving! Gorgeous photos and love the video! I really need to get certified–this makes me want to jump in ASAP 🙂
Roatan is a great place to get certified. Calm conditions, affordable courses and great diving!
I was last in Roatan in July of 2004. I stopped through for a day via a cruise. I did the city tour with a local guide. We walked through most of the city, took a ride up to see the views, ate in a local restaurant, and I stopped through a few schools and shops.
I’m not a swimmer but I’ve snorkeled. I wish I could dive. The pictures shared by divers are amazing.
It makes sense why most of the cruise lines stop in Roatan. It’s probably one of the best spots in the Caribbean. You have nice restaurants, great snorkelling/scuba diving and beautiful beaches.
What an incredible experiences and thank you for sharing through your unique view! I have always wanted to go scuba diving, but due to health reasons, I am unable to do! I love scuba as there is nothing more surreal than to feel like one is accepting in the waters underneath!
It’s a very powerful experience. Feeling the weightlessness apart from the wildlife you might spot!
This sounds like a great holiday destination! I love living in Europe, but I miss the affordable holidays I used to have in Mexico and the Caribbean, there’s nothing like it here.
I don’t think I’d do well so far underwater, but your photos are dreamy… it’s a whole other world down there!
Absolutely. If you want to experience diving in the Caribbean, Roatan is the place to go.
These are absolutely beautiful photos! My husband is a certified scuba diver and I know that he would love to visit Roatan. I would love to learn how – the coral reefs seem so beautiful! I would love to see the sea life up close.
Well, Roatan is one of the best places to learn how to dive. Easy conditions, affordable courses, great visibility and sunny weather!
That video is simply amazing. Kudos to the people of Honduras for preserving their coral reefs. I have never been there, but I would love to visit it one day. Scuba diving sounds really fun and I would love to give this sport a try.
Yes, they do a great job in Roatan protecting the corals. I’ve been to many other islands in the Caribbean where they should have a conservation program like Roatan has.
I loved your video! If I am ever in Honduras I will be sure to visit the Roatan and go scuba diving for sure! I did once in Hawaii and loved it! It takes a few days for my ears to stop popping after but the views were amazing.
Thanks Melissa. Glad you liked the video. Hawaii is pretty cool too for diving, but the warm waters of Roatan are hard to beat! 🙂
Your video brings it all to life. Very nice. I am not much of a diver, but I will snorkel. Honduras is beautiful place to adventure into the water too. I will be there again this December.
With the water being so clear, snorkelling is also a fantastic option to enjoy the coral reefs of Roatan 🙂
I love to travel too. we’re going to Turks and Caicos this year and my dh wants to get scuba certified. He asked me too but I’m just not that interested. It looks amazing there. I hope it’s as nice at Turks and Caicos.
Hey Dina.
Turks and Caicos are supposed to be pretty good for diving and snorkelling. I can’t wait to get there myself! Enjoy your trip 🙂