Scuba Diving in Roatan
General Info
Diving Info
Credit:
www.flickr.com
Credit:
www.flickr.com
When to Visit
The weather can get stormy in October and November, although the chances of a hurricane are minimal. However, the prices drop during these months and the visibility is not usually negatively affected by rain (but it may in case of a storm). Do keep in mind that some dive centers close during this period.
Diving Conditions
The water temperature in Roatan is rather stable throughout the year. The lowest temperatures are recorded January through March, but even then the average temperature is a comfortable 77° F/25° C. The highest temperatures have been recorded in August and September when the water temperatures can go slightly over 86° F/30° C.
Roatan has mild to moderate currents and calm surface conditions. Drift diving is available for all divers; your guide should find the right drift dive site for your level of experience.
The island enjoys good to outstanding visibility that can exceed 100 feet (30 meters) most of the year. If you have the bad luck of diving after heavy storms, the visibility can get as low as 15 feet (5 meters).
Types of Diving
Highlights
The Reef
Roatan is located on the southern edge of the second-largest barrier reef in the world, the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System. The island’s fringing reef system, that can be found all around the shore, is absolutely stunning. The waters are filled with star, starlet, and lettuce corals, other types of corals, as well as different species of sea sponges. Divers will find overhangs, fissures, canyons, and tunnels all along the walls of Roatan’s reef.
Wrecks
Around Roatan, there are various sunken ships, most of them intentionally placed underwater for scuba diving. The wrecks are located on each side of the island and are all within recreational limits, close to the reef walls. El Aguila and Odyssey are some of the most popular wreck dive sites in Roatan, both suitable for advanced divers.
Marine Life
Roatan enjoys diverse marine life that includes hammerhead sharks, nurse sharks, sea turtles, moray eels, manta rays, nudibranchs, seahorses, and many other aquatic creatures of all shapes and sizes. Whale sharks pass by the island occasionally as well.
Explore dive centers in the area
Passionate About Diving?
Explore a comprehensive dive map, track your dives, upload your dive logs, connect with your dive buddies or other divers from around the world, and more.