Scuba Diving in Honduras
Looking for the perfect place to dive? Well, for thousands of divers each year, Islas de las Bahia (the Bay Islands) located in the Caribbean Sea of the Northern Co
ast of Honduras meets this goal. While Honduras is filled with natural treasures such as biosphere reserves, wildlife refuges, and national parks, most tourists come here for the diving. And that means the Bay Islands!
The Bay Islands are located approximately 840 miles southwest of Miami and 30 miles off the Honduran coast. Consisting of seven islands and 50 small cayes, they stretch for 70 miles in a northeasterly arc. They are part of the Meso American Barrier Reef, the second largest living reef in the World and feature vibrant coral, multi-colored tropical fish, sponges as big as refrigerators and pelagic encounters with manta rays, sea turtles, and whale sharks. The Islands are part of an underwater mountain range called the Bonacca Ridge. The land above the water is actually the tops of the mountains!
Often described as a different world than mainland Honduras, most divers visit the three main islands of Roatan, Utlia, and Guanaja. Each island offers uniquely different experiences to the diver both above and below the water. However divers will enjoy warm tropical waters, warm and friendly people, and great visibility no matter which island they visit.
The Islands are rich in history, including stories of pirates and buccaneers plundering the Spanish. First discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1502, they were later claimed and held by Great Britain, Spain, and the Dutch United Provinces with Great Britain taking control in 1643 until becoming a nation in March 1872. The population of the three islands is approximately 43,018 people with many Garifuna (Black Caribs) communities continuing to thrive in Roatan and coastal communities of Honduras.
Warm tropical weather is the norm, with little changes in temperature from winter to summer. Average summer temperature is 86°f (30°c) to 59°f (15°c) and winter from 84°f (29°C) to 56°f (13°c). Normal humidity is between 65% to 70%. Water temperature in the summer is in the low eighty degrees f falling to the high seventies during January/February. While the weather is consistently good year round, during the rainy season (roughly September to January) visibility can dip below the usual 100-150 feet (30-45 meters).
Unique Character:
Roatan:
The largest of the three islands, Roatan is 33 miles long, and three miles wide, located about 30 miles off the coast of Honduras and has the largest population. Roatan offers something for everyone from luxury resorts to budget hotels, from dive shops to all-inclusive resorts and eco-parks. Divers should feel comfortable bringing their non-diving partners along as there are plenty of activities to do as well as just enjoying lying out on the beach. Roatan is the most commercialized of the three islands enjoying rapid development over the last decade with new housing and luxury resort properties being built on the island. Paved roads connect most of the communities starting at West Bay and ending Punta Gorda.
Utila:
Utila is the smallest of the three Bay Islands, at eight miles long and three miles wide with a population of roughly 2000. Of the three islands, it is located closest to the mainland. Most of the population lives in a community located on the eastern end of the island called East Harbour. The dive shops are located along one street that fronts up to the ocean. Accommodations on the island range from luxury resorts to hostels that mainly carter to the backpacker crowd. More laid back than Roatan, many divers compare it to Roatan a decade or so ago as commercial development is just starting on the island.
A well know destination of back-packers world-wide looking to dive or become certified, it has also become an excellent destination for people looking to become dive professionals to complete their training from start to finish while living on the island.
Known for some of the best diving locations in the Caribbean, it is renowned for its whale shark encounters as well. Utila offers a slightly slower pace than Roatan, with a stronger party scene that can be attributed to the younger backpacker that frequents this island.
Guanaja:
In contrast to Utila, which is mostly flat, Guanja has Michael Rock Peak at 1,350 feet (411 meters), making Guanja the tallest of the islands. Located furthest east, it is about 11 miles long by 4 miles wide and has a population of approximately 10,000 people. Named the Isla de Pinos (Island of Pines) by Christopher Columbus, it is dominated by the pine trees. With only one small road connecting the towns of Mangrove Bight and Savannah Blue, most travel is conducted via boats. Noted for its secluded private atmosphere, Guanaja offers 45 dive sites that feature world class diving, including pinnacles, volcanic caverns, wrecks and a variety of fish. The most remote and undeveloped of the three Bay Islands, there are fewer resorts and dive operations available for selection. If you’re looking for a place off the beaten path, try Guanaja.
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Dive Areas
Roatan
Lying on the edge of the Cayman Trench, divers can hover over sheer cliffs whose dark blue waters seemingly never end. Famous for wall dives, divers can enjoy shallow dives on beautiful reefs starting in as little as 15 feet (5 meters) with depths increasing to 200 feet (61 meters) or more. Dives near the trench offer clear water and often the opportunity to see pelagics such as whale sharks, dolphins, turtles, and rays. Lush coral growths, including rare black coral, can be found in underwater canyons, crevices, walls and reefs.
Hundreds of fabulous dive sites exist only a short boat ride from the dock and outstanding shore diving can be found on parts on the island, including the south shore. Nitrox is readily available from any number of PADI Dive Centers and Resorts located on the island. Roatan, as well as the other Bay Islands are known world wide for offering incredible value in relation to the cost of the dive experiences they provide.
Dive Sites:
With hundreds of dive sites, it’s impossible to include them all here, but here’s a few of some of the most popular:
Mary’s Reef – One of the most well know reefs, Mary’s Reef starts with a vertical crevice that starts around 40 feet (12 meters) and drops to a sand shelf between 140 feet (43 meters) to 200 feet (61 meters). Black coral, large seafans, and sponges grow heartily along the walls of the crevices in the reef.
Prince Albert and El Aguila – Wreck divers will enjoy visiting the Prince Albert, a 140 foot tanker and the El Aquila, a 210 foot (64 meters) cargo vessel that were sunk as artificial reefs. The El Aquila was prepared for divers before sinking, so divers can explore large compartments on the ship.
Doc’s Elbow – Looking for octopus, crabs and lobsters, then try this popular spot for a night dive.
West End Wall – Dive into the blue abyss located at the West End Wall, but be sure to take time to observe the variety of sponges and corals. As you go deeper keep a sharp look out for schools of pelagics including Eagle Rays.
Utila
You only need to visit any of the dozens of PADI dive shops located along the main road along the ocean to arrange a spectacular diving adventure in Utila. If you’re looking to spot a whale shark, it can be done year round, but the best times are off the north shore from March to May and August to October. Almost like watching a circus act, it is not unusual to see schools of different fish pass by during the same dive. All dive sites are accessible within a short boat ride, and represent a diversity of sheer walls and drop off’s on the Northside, fringing reef systems on the Southside, with many offshore seamounts and banks.
Dive Sites
Black Hills – Located of the southeast end of the island, the Black Hills is a seamount located about 1.5 miles offshore. Light to strong currents can be found 
at this location. Starting from about 35 feet (10 meters), it drops from 165 feet (50 meters) on one side into the trench, so a careful eye on your depth is essential. But it’s worth it, because divers not only see thousands of brightly covered tropical fish, but also barracudas, horseeye jack, and yellow tail snapper.
Haliburton – An advance dive, the 100 foot (30 meters) long Haliburton rests in 100 feet (30 meters) of water, so deep diving experience is recommended. Sunk in 1998, the ship is a haven to grouper, coral, rope sponges and angelfish.
The Aquarium – The name says it all. Divers will experience thousands of tropical fish, two caverns, octopus, and a colorful wall during a dive on this site.
Blackish Point – Why Blackish? Because it’s named for blackish color of the wall formed by volcanic rock running parallel to the shore. Divers can see plenty of life by staying between 20 (6 meters) to 30 feet (9 meters), but also try the lower part of the reef that runs between 60 (9 meters) and 85 feet (25 meters).
Guanja
The most remote of the Bay Islands, the reefs are pristine and feature a huge diversity of fish and coral life. Like the other Bay Islands diving on Guanja offers a variety of experiences, including shallow reefs, wrecks, canyons, crevices, volcanic outcroppings and wall dives starting at 20 (6 meters) feet and plummeting to 6,000 feet (1829 meters).
Dive Sites:
Mestizo Reef – feature two life size head-and-shoulder statues in approximately 65 feet of water. One is of Christopher Columbus and the other is of a local Indian Chief, Lempira. Other things to see are a partial shipwreck, Spanish cannons and a 16th century bell.
Vertigo – You can probably guess where this name came from. This wall dive starts at the top of the wall at 35 feet (10 meters) and then descends to about 160 feet (49 meters). Beyond that, it drops off into the deep blue depths of the trench. Divers can spot black and white crinoids in this location.
Michael’s Rock Reef – Underwater photographers will want to get close up with the nudibranchs found at this site.
Jim’s Silverlode – Swim through the tunnel located at 70 feet (21 meters) and come out into a sandy bottomed amphitheater surrounded by coral. Yellow tail, morays and large grouper are often seen at this site.
The Jado Trader – An advanced dive, the maximum depth on this dive is 110 feet (33 meters). One of the most famous wreck dives in the Caribbean, divers may experience sightings of hammerhead sharks around the wreck.
Dive Summary
Depth: 4 meters/12 feet to more than 40 metres/130 feet.
Visibility: 24 - 45 metres/80 - 150 feet. Visibility can occasionally drop into the 24-metre/80-foot range during the rainy season running from September to January
Currents: Mostly mild, but can vary by location.
Water Temperature: 26 - 28° C/78 - 82° F
Dive Season: All year
Weather: You can dive the Bay Islands all year long, but the tropical, rainy season runs from September to January. The Bay Islands' southern Caribbean location means that hurricanes often passing by to the north. Average summer air temperature is 15-30° C/59-86° F while winter is 13-29° C/56-84° F and normal humidity ranges from 65-70 percent
Access: Most Bay Islands diving in from a boat but sites are generally close to shore so travel time is short.
Skill Level: Diving of all levels will find the Bay Islands exciting. Deep diving experience or advanced training is recommended at some sites due to depth and wreck training is recommended for divers interested in exploring the various wrecks.
Recommended Courses:
Digital Underwater Photography
Deep Diver
Wreck Diver
Underwater Naturalist
Night Diver
Getting to the Bay Islands: All three islands can be reached by airplane or by ferry from La Ceiba on the Honduran mainland. Commuter flights are also offered from San Pedro Sula, also on the mainland. Several cruise lines also service Roatan.
Recommended Scuba Gear: Tropical scuba equipment is the norm. Most dive centers and resorts offer full hire facilities, usually including dive computers.
Recommended Length of Stay: For a trip to a single island, one week is adequate. However, if you plan to go island hopping, you'll want to schedule two to three weeks.
Featured Creatures: 
There are more than 300 identified fish species in Bay Island waters. Divers frequently see dolphin, grouper, rays, barracuda, angelfish, butterfly fish, grunts, parrotfish, yellow tail snapper, horse eye jack, octopus, lobsters, crabs, moray eels, hammerhead sharks and even whale sharks.
Fun Adventures
- Experience the islands from the air with your own chartered airplane. Pilot Bob Brown offers various packages from fun flights to extended tours. Flying over the islands or heading to see for whale shark spotting is an experience you'll be talking about for some time to come.
- Take a day trip and tour the Copan Mayan Ruins. Many resorts offer tours or can arrange one for you.
- Go for a horseback ride on a Roatan beach.
- Enjoy spectacular views of Gaunaja and the Caribbean from the top of Michael Rock Peak.
Fast Facts
Language: The national language of Honduras is Spanish, but English is widely spoken.
Currency: The Lempira. The US Dollar is accepted at some resorts and businesses but credit cards are widely accepted.
Tipping: Tipping is the norm. The standard practice is 10 percent of the total bill but is optional if it already includes a 10 percent service charge. Small tips for the housecleaning staff are customary. Small bills and change for porter tips and sundry fees such as port fees, airport terminal fees, etc will also be helpful. Be sure to tip your captain and dive crew and captain on your dive trips.
Transportation: Taxis and rental cars are plentiful on Roatan. On Utila, you take a taxi from the airport to the city, but once there, most everything is within an easy walk. There is only one road on Guanja so water taxi is the primary form of transportation.
Documents: All foreign visitors must have a valid passport to enter the country and are typically granted a 90-day tourist card.
Miscellaneous – Malaria preventative action is recommended prior to visiting the Bay Islands so speak with your physician or visit the CDC website for more information.
Other: Time Zone: GMT -6 hours
Special Information – The US Department of State issued a Travel Alert on 24 July 2009 for American citizens traveling to Honduras. This travel alert expires on 20 October 2009.
Resorts and Dive Operators in the Bay Islands report they have been largely unaffected by the political unrest on the mainland. The Government of Honduras lifted any curfews for the Bay Islands and exempted them on 26 July. Check with the Department of States website, your travel agent or resort for further information.”
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