If youre a coral connoisseur, between the shallow water and dramatic lighting, Dolphins Den is a showcase of some of the Caribbeans finest. What makes this dive special: Although it is technically two sites, the natural current in the area will usually carry you over both sites. Unlike many dive destinations that have limited sites to select from, Roatan is a 40-mile-long island, and the entire coastline (over 80 miles) is surround by reef. But given the scope and intricate cuts of these overhangs, theres a chance for some very special sightings. I had a really excellent dive with dive leader Bea and all the staff. World Nomads Diving Insurance. As a boutique operation, we cater to small groups and focus on personal attention, comfort, safety and environmental responsibility. Located beachside, exactly five steps from the turquoise waters of Half Moon Bay in West End, Roatan, Sun Divers isthe top-rated PADI Five-Star Dive Center bringing a customized touch and concierge approach to your underwater adventuring. Tye whole dive shop is so friendly and helpful. Due to the awkward entrance and delicate corals covering the walls, this dive requires above entry-level buoyancy control. At Sun Divers, we often combine a trip to the seamounts with a once-in-a-lifetime day trip to remote islands, One of the highlights is swimming through the Roatan Marine Parks coral nursery, which is where they rescue fragments of opportunity, as well as propogate new fragments for coral restoration. The West End of the island offers amazing diving with light currents, and shelter from the prevailing winds. These underwater mountains plunge up from the ocean floor to depths well within recreational limits. Thats why we decided to ask the experts: the Sun Divers team of instructor-divemasters. West End Divers - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2023), Zipline & Aerial Adventure Parks in West End, The Roatan Chocolate Factory: Tickets & Tours, Booty Bar & Caribbean Restaurant: Tickets & Tours, Full-Day San Sebastian del Oeste Tour from Puerto Vallarta, Quebec City Gourmet Dinner Cruise with Music, Holi Moo Festival Celebration Event in Delhi, 1-Hour&30-min Budapest Evening or Night Sightseeing Cruise & Unlimited Prosecco, Salt Cathedral Zipaquira - Group tour and daily departure. Onbeskryflik interressant en fotos baie mooi!!! Thank you so much West End Divers for a wonderful diving experience in Roatan! Best Dive Roatan ensures that you receive personalized instruction and attention, making us a rare option when looking for the best diving experience. Give the perfect gift for your favorite ocean lover and explorer. I enjoyed looking at many big groupers and snappers swimming in this area. The strong half of Stingy Nomads, a nomadic aquaman that would be happy to spend all his life in the water diving, surfing and spearfishing but often has to compromise with Alya and go hiking instead. Access to tools and resources at your fingertips, curated to enhance your diving experience. Barracuda, jacks, wrasse, and turtles are all well within your purview. It was great to have some beautiful beaches and we ran about 8kms from Moonlight Bay to West End and back every night. Can't recommend highly enough! We saw plenty of fish such as groupers, wrasse, angels, hogfish and large barracuda swimming on the healthy reef. With a PADI 5-Star IDC Center in West End and PADI 5-Star Dive Center in Sandy Bay, Roatan Divers offers high quality service and great diving! Situated on the healthiest barrier reef in the world, the island of Roatan is a rapidly rising star as a world class tropical scuba diver destination. Utila is famous for very cheap dive courses, free accommodation with your dive center and being a crazy party island. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. As a diver, with a PADI account you can access your eLearning along with many more tools to help you on your adventures. Roatan is an incredible world class scuba diving destination. BOOK NOW Popular Prerequisites PADI Open Water Diving certification, or equivalent is required for dives up to 60 feet or 18 meters. Savvy divers will be well rewarded by a truly unique experience. Random observations of a Roatan Dive Shop. Run by friendly owners. Unfortunately, your dive will have to come to an end, but you have been spending the last 10 minutes in 15 to 20 feet of water, doing a delightful swimming safety stop. Choose from a selection of more than 250 vessels and 18,000 trips worldwide. If the amazing shore dives around Roatan dont sound adventurous enough for you, on a calm day the renowned Seamounts may be accessible a short 17 miles off the coast. #7 Mandys Eel Garden Some dives require specialty certifications. You can spend your time roaming between patches of coral while stopping to examine the namesake garden eels in the soft sandy beds. Receive our newsletter and latest post in your mailbox! He is a rescue diver & I am a beginner, (30 dives under my belt :) What is your phone number? Moonlight Reef is a dive site in Roatan, perfect for both beginners and advanced divers. Book your Roatan Adventure today! Another Roatan classic canyon dive, Keyhole Reef is at the confluence of the ocean and an inland lagoon. Book your fun dives, snorkelling trips and courses online with thousands of PADI Dive Centers. Whatever your scuba diving needs, our team of diving professionals are ready to take your underwater abilities to the next level. A friend referred me to them, and I'd like to pass on the tip. I'm a nervous diver and Stuart could not have been more patient and kind with me. more. We look forward to diving with you and showing you the very best of Roatan! Sylvia is a scuba instructor and underwater photographer, Torben traveled around South East Asia for scuba diving and almost didnt come back. I dove in November 2020 for 3 weeks with West End Divers. Instagram But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. With depths ranging from 30 down to nearly 100 feet, its a great place for intermediate divers to cut their teeth and get comfortable spending some time with water overhead. A chance to dive in Roatan is a chance to see reefs as they once were and offers a glimpse of how the Caribbean may again look for future generations of divers under careful stewardship. Roatan Divers, W End Rd, West End, Bay Islands, Honduras (+504) 9621 2726 . The Roatan Aggressor, a new boat sailing since 2017 explores the crystal clear waters of the Bay Islands, Honduras. Seagrape is the only dive shop in the entire West End area that offers local knowledge of Roatan's reef, with over 15 years of diving experience in the area. If you email us I will be able to send you all the information you require. There is a massive variety of accommodation to suit every budget backpacker to all inclusive resort accommodation. It means you simply show up and enjoy your dive! It isn't particularly hard to dive. We offer three options for those looking to explore the world's second largest great barrier reef: fun diving, the Discover Scuba Diving Course and snorkel excursions. We focus on safety, professional and personalized service and environmental responsibility. This is the backpackers area where all the dive centers are located. . We have our own docks for easy boarding, four custom designed dive boats and keep our groups and service very personal. What makes it special: Half Moon Bay wall could be considered our back yard literally a minute from the dock. They are informative and knowledgeable. Sheer walls, expansive plateaus, exciting drifts, spectacular wrecks, expansive swim throughs, captivating macro. Grouper and parrotfish are commonly sighted near the exits, as well as schools of houndfish within the chamber itself. Here you go, now you should be all set for your next dive trip to Roatan, Honduras. With a PADI Travel account, you can favourite dive operators to come back to later on any device or computer. One of the most difficult aspects of a survey like this is the sheer volume of sites and options. Replace or update your card, buy a Special Edition or Project AWARE version of your PADI certification card, or go digital with the purchase of a PADI eCard. Much of the reef is unnamed so the sites that are listed here are from the list of named options. Accidents do happen, be prepared. and find your diving home away from home for life.We offer small groups, concierge dive service, custom dive boats, top of the line gear and highly experienced, yet fun instructor-divemasters. Whether youre a scuba diving newbie or a seasoned veteran looking to take your skills to the next level, West End Divers has the perfect course for you. Blue Channel Aerial View Blue Channel Dive Site in West End Roatan Details Written by: Divemaster Category: Roatan Dive Sites 5 5 From the very beginning with correspondence with Courtney to the very end with sea life identification with GiGi. It does not make the product pricier for you. Being such an exemplary specimen of a healthy reef, Menagerie is a great place to check out if you consider yourself a coral enthusiast. Roatan is a perfect scuba diving destination, as yet unspoiled by mass tourism. Dropping in you can descend the wall to your maximum dive depth - currents will gently drift you most likely towards TEXAS dive site. On a day with crystal clear viz you might even spot the Josie James wreck that rests at a depth of 200 feet (beyond recreational dive limits). We earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and other affiliate partners. In the 6 miles from West Bay Point to Sandy Bay we have an huge variety of dive options no more than a 1 to 10 minute boat ride from our dock. The site is knownfor the patches of garden eels located at the sandy patch near the base of the wall, be careful when approaching them, they sink back into their holes when disturbed! Roatan Divers is an award-winning dive operator based in West End. With so many swim throughs it is one of those sites that can be a different dive every time you do it. There is a keyhole feature at about 150 feet which is usually patrolled by a school of horse-eyed jacks. Access to tools and resources at your fingertips, curated to enhance your diving experience. I have issues with mild claustrophobia from a childhood swimming experience but really wanted to get PADI certified. Sound exciting? Overhangs, cracks, canyons, deep channels and ravines can be found on many Roatan dive sites, offering thrills as well as excellent places to spot shy species of fish and creatures such as spotted drum, eels . Their boats and equipment are well maintained, and the staff are extremely helpful and friendly. It can be a little bit of a finicky dive to pull off: located at the confluence of two currents visibility, it helps to be drifting rather than fighting it if at all possible. Book your fun dives, snorkelling trips and courses online with thousands of PADI Dive Centers. The staff may not know it, but they are all now family! If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. West End, Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras. Locally owned by Alvin Jackson who has over 60 years experience of diving Roatan's reefs. , Scuba Diving, Snorkelling/ Swimming, Conservation, First Aid/ CPR (EFR Center), Facebook Some amazing species can be seen in the caverns includingSpotted Drum Fish, File Fish, and the occasional nurse shark. One of the most popular dive sites on Roatan, the West End Wall, located in the heart of the Meso-American reef system and the Roatan Marine Park, is an ideal site for viewing the vast abundance of marine wildlife in the reef due to its unique role as a primary feeding ground for much of the wildlife in the area.. Sea turtles, barracuda, massive crabs and lobster, moray eels, and endless other . What follows is an all-inclusive interactive map of every dive around Roatan. Because great in-depth gear reviews will help you select the right products for your specific needs, budget, and interests. For these reasons, diving the seamounts is idea for advanced divers. Located in West Bay & Dixon Cove, offering diving on both the North and South Shores of Roatan. Beyond the keyhole is the deep blue of open ocean. The site itself, doesnt present any other advanced challenges beyond air and NDL limitations. Dive incredible walls, remote sea mounts, wrecks meeting whale sharks, manta rays and macro critters. Enter the Sun Divers team of PADI instructors. As a PADI 5-Star Resort, we have two options for scuba diving beginners: The Discover Scuba Diving Course and the PADI Open Water Certification. We have our own docks for easy boarding, four custom designed dive boats and keep our groups and service very personal. PADI courses from Open Water to Dive Master. View photos, opening hours, list of courses, local dive sites & more. With the depth range kept between 15 and 40 feet, its a great way to accumulate some serious single tank bottom time. When people come to dive in Roatan for the first time, the question is always the same: What are the top-rated, must-see dive sites on the island? Also great crew of folks at the shop. Scuba Diving, Technical Diving (TecRec Facility), Conservation, First Aid/ CPR (EFR Center), Facebook I am a better diver because of West End Divers. Green Moray, barracuda, lobsters and crabs are assured. Share your love of diving, experience new adventures, expand your dive skills, and help save the ocean. Roatan TV Newsletter About Contact Home Getting Here Accommodation We dive on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second largest reef system in the world, home to over 95% of Caribbean marine species. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Each crevice is covered in hard and soft flowing corals giving you the sense of swimming through hallways of life. Though the dive is accessible to all skill levels, those with a little bit of experience and a Nitrox certification will get the most out of exploring the underwater expanse. Directions to our Resort. An extraordinary variety of marine life can be found on both shallow reefs and sheer walls. The shallow site is perfect for new divers while the deep site flows out to a short wall. Great two tank dive with divemaster G (Gerardo) while on a cruise stopover He was great to point out some great life and sights while also keeping great track of myself and two other divers on the dive for our safety. Check out or book the Roatan Aggressor here! Please contact us via email through our web site and I will send you all the relevant information, Hace pocos das hice buceo bautismo por primera vez en Galpagos y que quede atrapado con la idea de realizar el curso y obtener certificacin PADI. There are easy and frequent exit points, but why would you? We experienced everything on this blog and wrote every word. We looking forward to blowing bubbles with you soon! It is a short ride just out front of west bay on Roatan calm waters. Whats that big shadow in the distance? Lucky divers may even be privileged to see a seahorse or two taking refuge in the crack from the surge above. This Dive Site Map includes all scuba diving locations around the island of Roatan. If the Roatan section Mesoamerican Barrier Reef is an example of healthy Caribbean coral, the Seamounts are the crown jewel of the entire area. One-horse open sleighs jingling over snowy open fields, Jack Frost, The Finest in Caribbean Scuba Diving & Adventure. Es posible hacerlo en Roatn todo el ao?Es necesario hacer reserva con tiempo, o puedo tomar tranquilo mis vacaciones y encontrar lugar para inscribirme?Los cursos son en espaol? Can't imagine diving with any dive shop in Roatan other than Westend Divers. We focus on top quality service, personal attention, safety, comfort and environmental responsibility. On the Southside, thePrince Albertcovered in soft coral and the Mr. Thank You! But aside from a convenient one-minute trip from our dive shop, Half Moon Bay Wall is known for its dramatic wall that descends vertically from 50 to 120 feet, and for the beauty of the corals and Giant Barrel Sponges that adorn it. This Dive Site Map consists of a geotag of its location. Roatan Dive Sites Some of the most popular dive sites in Roatan with the thanks of the marine park in Roatan you can see the sheer number of dive sites available in the crocodile shaped Roatan. I'm trying to decide if I should just book a tour with the cruise, or can we find good snorkeling and beach without? Top to bottom, this reef is a real treat given its accessibility. If you stay just far enough away, you can marvel at the true garden-like habitat that they create. We are conveniently located in Sandy Bay which means just a few minutes on the boat until you arrive at the best dive sites Roatan has to offer! As a boutique operation, we cater to small groups and focus on personal attention, comfort, safety and environmental responsibility. After evaluating the weather conditions and the current, we will start our dive at one of those locations.The converging currents of the North and South shores of the island meet on a long plateau extending of a mile from shore. Also, on this dive you will find big mantis shrimp, sting rays, and frequent passing Eagle Rays. The current is also the primary reason why these sites are special, it brings nutrient rich water through the area which attracts numerous schools of fish ranging from the thousands of blue creole wrasse to the predatory jacks and tunas that will flash through the area. I shared my fears and Courtney who keeps the dive shop flowing smoothly every day was amazing. Wall diving, Swimthroughs, canyons, and wrecks! Native Sons is the longest running dive shop, in Wes A shadow ensconced canyon, Spooky Channel might not be as fishy as other Roatan staples, but what it lacks in life it more than makes up for in atmosphere. The ship was intentionally sunk in 1997 to make room for a new premier dive site. Share your love of diving, experience new adventures, expand your dive skills, and help save the ocean. Please note that it is best to confirm your reservation prior to arrival to confirm availability. These canyons and caverns are punctuated by large openings where sunlight can percolate through. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. The maximum depth at Moonlight is 30 meters, or 100 feet. Each person provided their Top Ten list and then rankings were weighted based upon how often a site was selected and where they sat in the ranking from 1-10, with the number one spot being their most favorite site here in Roatan. If you are visiting Roatan off a cruise ship, make sure to ask about our one-day dive/snorkel packages. After trying out DSD in Utila I decided to do my PADI Open Waters with West End Divers. Let the argument begin we would love to hear your rankings as well. With a PADI Travel account, you can favourite dive operators to come back to later on any device or computer. Hotel & Diving Packages and Nitrox is available. Our reviews: We can make the world a little bit better with great in-depth reviews. Key Features: West End Wall frequently features a nice current which creates an environment supporting a lot of fish life. Location: a stones throw from Sun Divers and Half Moon Bay (hence the name!). Make the most of your port day in Roatan with West End Divers cruise ship excursions! These sites are also within a protected marine park. If you click on the link and purchase the item or make a booking, we will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost for you. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Site by. Their limited accessibility makes them a truly spectacular place, well worth the effort for any diver willing to invest the time and effort getting out there. Many times you will see our own team in the nursery, certifying volunteers to become, If you time it right, in August, Silversides can often be found in the crevices of the wall which in itself is a, What makes this dive special: Marys Place is considered one of the. The site starts close to the iron shore at 20 feet and then drops dramatically to 90 feet. No matter where you jump in, you will be surround by life and reef as far as you can see. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Employees are warm and friendly and bend over backwards to provide stellar customer service - if it were possible to give them more than 5 stars I absolutely would. Highly recommend Westend Divers. Situated on the second largest barrier reef in the world, Roatan is home to some of the best dive sites in the Caribbean. We've also included markers for dive sites in the seamounts. This grassy area presents a completely different habitat introducing another ecosystem to explore. #5 West End Wall Enjoy 20% OFF select PADI eLearning programs, FREE ReActivate online refresher, subscription to Scuba Diving magazine + so much more when you join PADI Club. Dive Trip Packing List+Tips. Key Features: Beautiful wall with enormous barrel sponge formations. We have dove all over the world, and this was one of the best dive operations we have ever used., I cannot speak highly enough of our experience with Roatan Divers. West End Divers is a fully certified PADI Five Star Dive Resort offering scuba diving excursions and training daily. We only stayed in Chillies for two nights, it is on the beach and diving was cheap, but the dormitory is small and the beds uncomfortable. Enjoy 20% OFF select PADI eLearning programs, FREE ReActivate online refresher, subscription to Scuba Diving magazine + so much more when you join PADI Club. The Odyssey is another great wreck dive, this big freighter was sunk in November 2002 in 33m of water (110ft). Hello! I had a fantastic weeks diving. Closer to the wall, the coverage picks up in an overwhelming crust of corals, sponges, and sea fans that are among the best youll see anywhere off the island. 20 Best Dive Sites in Roatan, Honduras in 2023 + 6 more About this guide +1 Disclosure: We are reader supported, and earn affiliate commissions when you buy through us. One of the most popular dive sites off Roatans coast, the West End Wall is beautiful wall dive which promises divers spectacular views of an enormous underwater wall and an abundance of marine life inhabiting it. There is no way to have the perfect top 10 list because everyone has different taste. Perhaps one of the most popular dive sites off Roatan, the dive starts at a permanent mooring buoy on the reef shelf, along a vertical crevice that drops from 40', with a huge section of the wall broken away from the main section to form a wide slit Fair prices, excellent staff. Access to tools and resources at your fingertips, curated to enhance your diving experience. Roatan is quickly becoming one of the most popular cruise ship destinations in the Caribbean, for good reason! Prices are calculated as of 2023-04-24 based on a check-in date of 2023-05-07. The most shallow part of the reef is a popular cleaning station where you may catch a glimpse of larger fish taking advantage of the services of cleaner shrimp. In addition, due to the deeper profile, it is recommended for advanced divers. Disclosure: Stingy Nomads take part in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and several other affiliate programs. He was so calm and patient acknowledging my fears but making it clear he truly believed I could do the dive. Grand Roatn Caribbean Resort a spectacular 5 star resort, highest ratings on the island. One of the most difficult aspects of a survey like this is the sheer volume of sites and options. Swim over huge barrel sponges often seeing turtles, eagle rays, tarpon, jacks and barracuda! We were on Roatan in July. What makes it special: This is one of those dive sites that makes you feel small in a good way. The result of the event is a giant crevice that extends from the surface down to 100 feet. Cayos Cochinos is a small little island with little infrastructure, healthy reefs since it is visited by few divers and is mostly done as a day trip from either of the Bay Islands or the main land. YouTube, Half Moon Bay, West End, Roatan, Bay Islands,, 34101, Honduras, Nitrox, Scuba equipment rental, Conservation activities, Onsite classroom, Wi-Fi (FREE), Retail Shop, Waterfront location, Dive boat. Mayan Princess Beach & Dive Resorthighly rated all inclusive 5 star dive resort, bit out of our price range. Choose from a selection of more than 250 vessels and 18,000 trips worldwide. Location The Point on the southwestern tip of the island, Key Features: Robust drift and endless schools of fish. Enjoy 20% OFF select PADI eLearning programs, FREE ReActivate online refresher, subscription to Scuba Diving magazine + so much more when you join PADI Club. The scale and drama of having so many colorful columns stacked atop one another steal the show from the more dynamic life on the reef. The site called Texas offered some good diving,The topography of the dive site is flat underwater plains with plenty of large barrel sponges around. West Bay Divers is a PADI 5 Star Dive Center located in beautiful West Bay, on the Island of Roatan. Alex is what I would describe as the "dive whisper". Be prepared to weave your way through a maze of tunnels for the next seven or eight minutes. From the mooring line you will drip down into a large trench at 60 ft where youll remain for most of the dive. Passion and DedicationEvery decision we make is based on offering the best experience possible for our guests. This site is unique due to the way geologic events have shaped the site. While not as deep as other Roatan dive sites, at the 70-foot mark, the reef will again transition to sand which is where you will find a number of large colonies of Garden Eels peacefully plucking food from the flowing water. And what list would be complete without an honorable mention: Let the argument begin we would love to hear your rankings as well. Share your love of diving, experience new adventures, expand your dive skills, and help save the ocean. Photo by Dave Canaan. The diving is simply amazing. Southern stingrays and Spotted Eagle Rays are often seen by divers here, where the base of the wall provides a perfect environment for their hunting grounds. The water conditions on the point can get a little rough, so this is a weather dependent site, but it is always worth the wait. All Rights Reserved. What makes this dive special: You start the dive in 20 feet of water and then immediate drop into a steep cavern that doesnt end until you hit 100+ feet. Roatan Divers is an award-winning dive operator based in West End. There are more than 100 dive sites around Roatan island, we only dived a handful that our dive center recommended. Marys Place this incredible site was created by prehistoric volcanic activity forming a large fissure in the reef, the steep walls created an jaw dropping labyrinth formed by coral and sponges filling the 100ft canyon. Full range of PADI and SSI courses from discovery to Pro level with exceptional instructors, private boats and private captains. The whole team are lovely and go out of their way to give you the best, safest and fun experience possible. But were so much more than thatWere a community of ocean fanatics, adventure seekers and world wanderers. Fantasties Campbell en Alaya. Plenty can be seen between the coral patches here; turtles, caribbean squid, octopi, scorpion fish, parrot fish, lobsters, nudibranchs, keep a lookout for seahorses and pipefish; barracuda, eagle rays, sting rays are also found in the area. Divers who stick to the top of the wall and keep their eyes towards the horizon might see schools of rays or other groups of large creatures making their way along the drop-off. Sheer walls, expansive plateaus, exciting drifts, spectacular wrecks, expansive swim throughs, captivating macro, out-of-this world night dives, and deep technical options. As a boutique operation, we cater to small groups and focus on personal attention, comfort, safety and environmental responsibility. While youre at maximum depth, shrimp, lobsters, and other invertebrates are abundant and add a little alien feeling to this already bizarre environment. I can't express how great Westend Divers was on our January 2023 trip. We offer daily scuba diving excursions and training on the second-largest barrier reef in the world. With our four boats, new gear, enthusiastic staff, the second largest barrier reef in the world, and forty plus dive sites in the Sandy Bay Marine Park that surrounds our shop and dock, are just some of the reasons that make West End Divers your best Roatan Dive Shop choice for your fun diving adventures during your holiday here.
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