Diving in the Bay Island – Roatan
The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, which is the second largest reef in the world, can be explored at the bay islands of Caribbean. Exhibiting an outstanding reef system, the bay islands have become an authentic hub for diving activities that attracts divers from all over the world. The Roatan Island is the largest, most developed, and the most populated island out of the 7 bay islands of Caribbean. Within the last few years, the island has gained an importance as scuba diving spot and has become one of the popular tourism destinations in Honduras.
If you are a diving enthusiast, then you would just love visiting the island and explore the beautiful sea life. The island features vibrant coral, multicolored tropical fish, and huge sponges. You can also dive in the clear turquoise waters to seek for the sea turtles and whale sharks (particularly from February to April). Various activities are offered on the island to get a different experience of both above and below the water. Along with quite a few diving spots, there are several diving resorts at the island which also acts as a great vacation spot for your non-diving partners.
Let us take a look at a few of the most famous diving sites at the Roatan Island where you would love to take a plunge.
- West End Wall – The West End Wall is the most famous of all diving sites on this island, where you can look for wonderful views of the naturally made enormous underwater wall that serves as a home to a plenty of beautiful marine creatures. You would also like to snorkel here, as the peak of the reef includes an abundance of stony corals, sponges, and gorgonians (sea fans). You must also be careful about the schools of pelagics that might also include the eagle rays.
- Dolphin’s Den – Because of the several bones and remains of Dolphins, this diving site is famous as Dolphin’s Graveyard or Dolphin’s Den. You can find a network of tunnels and canyons, which will take you from one side of the reef to another. This site can also be called as an underwater maze starting at 15 feet below water and finishes at 40 feet. Although illuminated by natural lighting, you might have to use a flashlight at the dark caverns to navigate your way and explore Giant Anemones, large schools of Silversides, Upside-down Jellies, Green Moray eels and turtle Grass.
- El Aguila – The Spanish word for ‘the Eagle’, El Aguila is the main site for the shipwreck divers. This is an artificial reef created by an intentionally sunk 210-foot long and 100 feet wide cargo vessel. The ship before sinking was prepared thoroughly for divers. Along with a plenty of nooks and crannies in the ship, you can enjoy exploring the colorful tropical fish and moral eels.
If you are not a diver but want to be one, you can learn it from the fully trained and experienced PADI dive instructors directly on-site. Most of the dive resorts at Roatan offer PADI dive instructors to teach you all about underwater diving.