Warm walls, easy wrecks, and shallow reefs on Honduras's Bay Islands hub
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Overview
Roatan is a long, forested ridge on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef with dive sites only minutes from shore. West End, West Bay, and Sandy Bay sit inside the Roatan Marine Park, with moorings on hundreds of sites. Expect quick dropping walls, canyons like Marys Place, wrecks such as the Odyssey, and shallow snorkel reefs right off West Bay Beach. Year round warm water and strong local conservation make it an easy base for scuba, freediving, snorkeling, and beach days.
Roatan stretches roughly 60 km east to west. Most visitors base in the northwest around West End, West Bay, and Sandy Bay, where the coast is more sheltered and the reef crest lies close to shore, so snorkelers can reach coral in a short swim.
Roatan sits on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. The drop off runs close to shore, giving classic Caribbean walls, canyons, and overhangs. Mary's Place and Dolphin Den cut deep slots in the reef, while Blue Channel and The Bight mix gardens, sand, and small channels. Wrecks like the Odyssey on the north side and Prince Albert on the south add big structure dives, all reached via mooring buoys instead of anchors.
Roatan works for new divers, photographers, and mixed groups. Many reefs start in 5 m to 10 m, so beginners can stay shallow while advanced buddies drop deeper. Water hovers around 27°C to 29°C, and freedivers use the fast drop off near West End and West Bay to hit depth quickly. Topside, white sand beaches, gardens, zip lines, sloth sanctuaries, and east end mangrove tours keep non divers busy all week.
Trip callouts
Sheer fringing walls and canyons like Marys Place and Spooky Channel sit minutes from shore with rays and occasional sharks.
The Bay Islands marine park and Roatan Marine Park moorings protect sharks, turtles, conch, lobster, and parrotfish.
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Last updated: November 21, 2025 • 9 sources
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Roatan Freediving School in West End offers year-round depth training from beginner to instructor.
Non-divers can base on West Bay, visit Gumbalimba Park and Carambola Gardens, and take mangrove or village tours.
scuba
Why Roatan for Scuba Diving
Roatan has warm water around 27°C to 29°C, short boat rides, and a mix of walls, canyons, shallow reefs, and wrecks. West End and West Bay access Blue Channel, The Bight, and the Odyssey wreck fast, while south side resorts like CoCo View add house reefs and the Prince Albert wreck. Moorings keep boats off the coral and most sites are within a quick ride.
freedive
Why Roatan for Freediving
snorkel
Why Roatan for Snorkeling
topside
What to do on Roatan when you are not in the water
Roatan pairs quick depth access with warm, stable conditions, making it a strong depth training base. Roatan Freediving School & Training Center offers Apnea Total, AIDA, PADI, and SSI courses plus coached line sessions. The Caribbean Cup depth competition runs off West Bay, and on off days you can fun dive the reef, join shark dives that accept freedivers, or explore canyons like The Bight and Blue Channel on a single breath.
Roatan is an easy snorkel island: walk off West Bay Beach and reach reef in minutes, or hop boats from West End and Half Moon Bay to Blue Channel and The Bight. Dolphin Den and Church Reef add quieter boat spots. Water stays around 27°C to 29°C, and on calm days you can see the wall from the surface.
Roatan balances laid back beaches with light adventure. West Bay gives white sand and sunset swims; West End offers a walkable strip of bars and cafes on Half Moon Bay. You can hike Carambola Botanical Gardens for reef views, visit Gumbalimba Park and sloth sanctuaries, or head east to Oak Ridge and Jonesville for mangrove tunnels and Garifuna culture. Zip lines, ATV tours, rum and chocolate tastings, and beach club day passes round it out.
