How To Dive Roatan
A dive vacation paradise located off the northern coast of Honduras, Roatan and the other Bay Islands are home to pristine white-sand beaches, amazing lush tropical hills, a dazzlingly diverse reef system and unique cultures. The world’s second- largest coral reef enfolds much of the shore, offering calm and clear beaches with breathtaking diving below the surface among endless varieties of sea life. And the knowledgeable resort staffs and heartwarming locals will accommodate your every need, guaranteeing an unforgettable experience that makes Roatan the Caribbean’s best-kept secret. Here are our top 5 tips on how to dive Roatan.
Head to West End Town
The main street in West End Town is unpaved, which gives the town an edge-of-the-Earth feel. Most of the bars and restaurants are right on the beach or over the water.
Go Local
You’ll find the only Garifuna settlement on Roatan at Punta Gorda, where locals live a lifestyle that remains largely unchanged for the past 300 years. The village welcomes travelers, and you should plan your trip during a celebration just to see the local dancing. Also visit Jonesville, which is almost solely inhabited by locals.
Walk on Water
Look out for the Jesus lizard, which when spooked literally walks across the water on its hind legs to escape. On Roatan, they call this water dragon a monkey lala.
Navigate the Venice of the Caribbean
In the seaside town of Oakridge, your vehicle is a boat. At one time this would have been a dugout canoe, but that has since been replaced with day boats that get you everywhere from your home to the bar at the Reef House Resort.
Go Deeper
If you want to check out what’s at the bottom of the ocean, connect with Stanley Submarines in West End Town and take a jaunt down to 1,000 feet. Giant prehistoric six-gill sharks highlight the experience.
A dive vacation paradise located off the northern coast of Honduras, Roatan and the other Bay Islands are home to pristine white-sand beaches, amazing lush tropical hills, a dazzlingly diverse reef system and unique cultures. The world’s second- largest coral reef enfolds much of the shore, offering calm and clear beaches with breathtaking diving below the surface among endless varieties of sea life. And the knowledgeable resort staffs and heartwarming locals will accommodate your every need, guaranteeing an unforgettable experience that makes Roatan the Caribbean’s best-kept secret. Here are our top 5 tips on how to dive Roatan.
Head to West End Town
The main street in West End Town is unpaved, which gives the town an edge-of-the-Earth feel. Most of the bars and restaurants are right on the beach or over the water.
Go Local
You’ll find the only Garifuna settlement on Roatan at Punta Gorda, where locals live a lifestyle that remains largely unchanged for the past 300 years. The village welcomes travelers, and you should plan your trip during a celebration just to see the local dancing. Also visit Jonesville, which is almost solely inhabited by locals.
Walk on Water
Look out for the Jesus lizard, which when spooked literally walks across the water on its hind legs to escape. On Roatan, they call this water dragon a monkey lala.
Navigate the Venice of the Caribbean
In the seaside town of Oakridge, your vehicle is a boat. At one time this would have been a dugout canoe, but that has since been replaced with day boats that get you everywhere from your home to the bar at the Reef House Resort.
Go Deeper
If you want to check out what’s at the bottom of the ocean, connect with Stanley Submarines in West End Town and take a jaunt down to 1,000 feet. Giant prehistoric six-gill sharks highlight the experience.
Visit our interactive Honduras Dive and Travel guide for more recommendations, travel tips, hot spots, and resort and dive operator information, as well as beautiful photos of this dive destination of a lifetime.
