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Travel-to-Honduras.com
Diving Guide to Roatan's West End/Sandy Bay Marine Reserve
Locator Map
Click on Any Dive Site to Go to Description |
Roatan's fringing coral reef is still one of the
most beautiful and unique in the world, and at just a short swim from
the shore, easily accessible. There are 38 dive sites within the West
End Marine Reserve, all within 15 minutes boat ride, and they are
all different. There are lots of very shallow snorkeling areas and
the coral reef is perfect for everyone, as the top is about 40ft,
allowing snorklers and novice divers to glide along in shallow water.
While the more advanced are down below, all visible to each other
because of the wonderful clarity of the water. With deep drop-offs,
caverns, swim throughs, canyons and an abundance of marine life, Roatan
offers something for everyone. The West End is on the leeward side
of the island, so the water is always calm.
SPOOKY CHANNEL
A very different dive, dive through a deep channel that links the
lagoon with the outer reef. The channel begins shallow but reaches
a maximum depth of 90 feet, and is about 50 feet across at the widest
point, but if you look up you will discover what makes this dive so
famous. The walls of the channel slowly converge above you, and when
they are only a few feet from the surface, the walls are only six
feet apart. You can make out a beautiful ribbon of light 80 feet above
you. "Spooky" due to the low level of light entering, and
the reason for an unusual prominence of low light corals normally
found in the very deep. Fascinating rock structures, swim-throughs,
lobster and starfish, a truly unforgettable dive.
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WHITE HOLE
So called because of the round patch of white sand that greets you
at first in 35ft of water. Head to the wall where it drops off and
down to the sand slope at 100 ft and then beyond. Nothing too crazy,
just a chilled out dive.
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BEAR'S DEN
Interested in caverns? Then this is the dive for you. At 50ft
begin with a beautiful tunnel swim-through, opening out into
the blue, and then down and along the wall. A big Plate and
Sheet Coral outcrop provides home to many fish, sometimes
a group of Squid. Make an ascent to the top of the wall and
the entrance to the huge beautiful cavern, Bear's Den, in
only 25feet.
Look closely at the rocks while approaching the entrance for the
tiny Lettuce Leaf Sea Slugs and other Nudibranchs, even a Spotted
Drum. Swim over forty feet into "cathedral-like" Bear's
Den, where sunbeams scatter shafts of light that dance around on the
sandy bottom. Lie on the sand and relax while watching Glassy Sweepers
swim back and forth amongst the light beams. Then it's time to head
back for yet still more swim-throughs and canyons just past the mooring,
keeping a close look at the Gorgonian Soft Corals as they provide
shelter for rare Seahorses and Neck Crabs, usually only visible to
the trained eye. The cavern is best seen in the mornings, as the sun's
angle is perfect for the light beams in full effect.
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PETER'S PLACE
The place for BIG Groupers, a beautiful wall, teeming with Creole
Wrasse and always at least four BIG groupers and sometimes even bigger
Dog Snapper. Perfect for close-up photography of these gentle giants.
The reef offers interesting formations and sandy patches around about
45ft and on the wall there are canyons and over hangs. Free swimming
Moray Eel and Eagle Rays may be seen.
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MIKE'S PLACE
Very similar to Peter's Place.
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FRONT PORCH
A huge sandy area at 60ft this is the reason A.K.R use this site for
their dolphin dive. Surrounded by a sloping collection of Plate Corals.
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THE WRECK, EL AGUILA (THE EAGLE)
Another Roatan classic, this ship was an old beached cargo vessel,
287ft long, bought by Anthony's Key Resort to create an artificial
reef. Originally sunk in 1993 only to be smashed into 3 pieces by
the mighty Hurricane Mitch in 1998. The Wreck was thoroughly cleaned
before it was sunk so there was no environmental impact on the reef,
and is perfect for penetration, as there are no obstacles to worry
about.
Wreck Dive |
We begin by dropping 110ft straight down to the stern and onto the
sand where a field of Garden Eels sways back and forth from their
little holes. Big Groupers sometimes come right up to your face while
laid down watching the Eels. The propeller shaft and stern are raised
out of the sand as we plunge head first through a window and into
the wheelhouse, causing disorientation as the angle of the boat is
twisted. Pockets of air trapped on the ceiling look like pools of
liquid mercury as we exit through a beautiful rectangular opening
out into the deep blue and toward the middle section.
The middle section is not really enclosed but offers a variety of
swim-throughs while looking up at the mast piercing the water above.
Then it's off towards the bow where you can swim through a doorway,
then exit through a large hatch on the bow. Look over the edge and
down to a coral patch at the base of the bow that is home to the famous
Green Moray Eel that is not afraid of divers. He often comes right
up to you looking for food. A pair of Translucent Blue Parrot fish
feast on the algae growing on the bow. Groupers and Dog Snapper follow
the divers around. Oysters and Clams are prolific all over the boat
but sneak up on them or they close too quickly!
Often an Eagle Ray comes gliding along the wall as we head to shallower
water after about 20mins on the boat. The wall has nice canyon formations
and a cavern in 15ft with a roof exit in 5ft that gives shelter to
Bristle Worms and Glassy Sweepers. Drift along at 30ft towards Pillar
Coral dive site where many fish like Sergeant Majors, Grunts, Blue
Tang, Chub and Parrot Fish dance on the top of the wall.
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PILLAR CORAL
Yes, Pillar Coral is what you will find here. There is a mysterious
kind of sea mound pillar that looms up and out of the blue, and a
beautiful swim-through cavern next to the mooring that opens up in
5ft of water. A perfect end to the Wreck Dive.
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GREEN OUTHOUSE
Named purely because there used to be a green outhouse on the shore
opposite the site in Sandy Bay (thankfully not too close!).This is
one of the favorites, as it has lots to offer for all levels, from
snorkelers, first time divers to advanced divers. The mooring is attached
to coral in just 20ft. Head out down to a 50ft sandy area surrounded
with healthy corals and plant life and then to the wall, an impressive
drop-off indeed. Usually a current flows north bending one of the
biggest Gorgonians in West End and keeps the many types of fish, animals,
and plant-life bathed in fresh nutrients. Again head towards the shallows
where you will find canyon after canyon. A great place for Green Morays,
Greater Soap Fish and Turtles.
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OVERHEAT REEF
The usual wall and reef, good area for Neck Crabs and little critters.
Named many years ago when there was only one dive operation in Sandy
Bay, and their boat engine would always overheat at this point.
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MELISSA'S REEF
Wall and reef and some canyons in the shallows.
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GIBSON BIGHT
Very much like Melissa's Reef, a very good spot for Eagle Rays.
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Divers |
FISH DEN
A wonderful mound of coral in the middle of a horseshoe canyon is
where the mooring lies. We begin in just 10ft of water where hundreds
of fish gather. Sgt. Majors, Grunts and Damsels all jostle back and
forth. Follow the rubble canyon towards the big blue and in front
is a huge belly slope dropping down deep. Left takes you towards an
impressive mountain wall filled with Barrel, Tube and Elephant Ear
Sponges. This is a good area for the tiny Neck Crabs and Seahorses
as there are plenty of Gorgonians. Wonderful topography on the wall
and in the shallows provides plenty to do exploring as you wind back
to the boat.
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CANYON REEF
Yes! This dive is all about canyons, so if you like just pottering
on the wall stay above the group and follow their bubbles, because
this is another fun packed lesson in buoyancy control. There is a
beautiful order one can do the canyons, starting in the middle, with
the entrance of the first in 10ft. Plunge head first into a slim smooth
sided canyon that opens out and down to 60 ft and out into the blue,
along a while and then up the next one, and down the next one, and
up the next one, and down, and back, and up, and down and round and
round! Drifting then up to Fish Den is a nice ending.
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HOLE-IN-THE-WALL
Welcome to one of Roatan's classics, you can't leave without doing
this dive! This has something for everyone. We begin in 40ft. of water
on a sand chute, home to the shy Yellowhead Jawfish, that takes us
down through the "hole in the wall" opening out at 100ft.
Novices can ascend a little and enjoy the spectacular wall on the
right while the more advanced can descend down the sand slope, leveling
out above "the abyss" that drops down to 1000's of feet.
Take a right, slowly making your ascent up and along the wall where
shoals of Creole Wrasse, Blue Tang thrive.
Look out for eagle rays and turtles, and it's not over yet! After
swimming for 10mins and upon reaching the top of the wall it's time
to head towards the shallows where the 'swiss-cheese' rock formations
provide another fabulous journey down, round, up and over swim-throughs,
caverns, and canyons while "off-gassing" in 20ft of water.
Keep an eye out for marble-eyed Spotted Scorpion Fish lying amongst
the rocks on the bottom, and finish off with a visit in the last canyon
where Glassy Sweepers and Silversides (seasonal) jostle for the spotlight
as the sunbeams through the cracks. For the adrenalin seekers there
is a dark and silty cavern at the end of this canyon, which has several
passages that one could quite easily get lost in, so of course do
not do this without an experienced guide. The view coming out of the
canyon is an amazing gradient of greens and blues with silhouetted
rock formations. A perfect dive and a perfect profile.
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SEAGRAPE
So named because it lies opposite the iron shore where Seagrape Plantation
Resort is situated. The wreck is in fact just a dive boat (only the
hull and engine remain) that sunk when it went out in a storm and
got washed onto the rocks. There is usually a big green moray hiding
under pieces of the scattered wreckage. Nice sandy patches.
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Turtle |
DIVEMASTER'S CHOICE
This dive is really just an extension of the Half Moon Bay dive, with
all the same ingredients.
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HALF MOON BAY
Still one of the prettiest dives, with healthy supplies of coral and
wall formations, like colossal mountains the reef stands as shallow
as 30ft plunging down to 150ft and then beyond. Black Coral and Black
Gorgonians fan out up and down the wall while shoals of Creole Wrasse
and Blue Chromis swap positions with each other as the Groupers chill
on the wall basking in the soft current that usually flows north.
The sand patches and coral heads scattered everywhere provide home
to all the reef creatures such as Moray Eels and Turtles. Further
up the reef is a wonderful tunnel beginning in 60ft and opening out
onto the wall at 70ft greeted by the deep blue and the varieties of
sponges like Green Vase, Rope, Elephant Ear and Tube. This is the
best site to see Eagle Rays.
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DIXIE'S PLACE
Very much an introduction into Half Moon Bay, this dive has all the
same ingredients.
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LIGHTHOUSE REEF
Famous for it's popularity with every single dive shop to take all
open water students there because of it's 20ft sand patch close to
the channel and the wall. Not really recommended for recreational
divers.
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BLUE CHANNEL
Famous for its perfect profile for snorkelers and divers, it is in
fact a channel that starts from the inner part of the reef and flows
out towards the coral ridge, starting at 10ft and then to 45ft at
the top of the wall. Start on the wall, barrel sponges, interesting
tiny coral heads cover the deep sandy slope that look like an army
of strange mushrooms. Then head yet again toward the shallow water
where a series of canyons in 20ft of water provide home to a large
Porcupine Fish, Glassy Sweepers, Moray Eels and in mid-June to early
August shoals of Silversides fill the canyons sometimes making it
impossible to see which way one is going. After exiting the last swim-through,
dancing with, and scattering the tiny fish, it's time to follow the
channel. Either side goes right up the surface guiding you to the
outside of the reef and turtle grass in 10 ft where the boat can meet
you, another perfect dive profile.
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THE BITE
The sand patch in 20ft at the mooring looks like someone took a big
bite out of the coral, hence the name. It's about a 10-minute swim
to the wall gradually getting deeper as you go and upon arrival you'll
find a very interesting and healthy ridge and wall. A wonderful afternoon
dive, this area is outstanding for its coral structures.
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OCTOPUS ACRE
Named by Kaj and Tony, instructor divemasters from West End, this
site is great for a relaxing time and especially good for Night Dives,
as there is usually an abundance of Octopi in and around the plentiful
supply of sand patches.
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TURTLE CROSSING
Also named by Kaj and Tony this site has all the same ingredients
as Octopus Acre. Funnily enough though there always seems to be a
Turtle crossing!
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Moray Eel |
SEAQUEST
A great dive site for beginners and photographers, a huge sandy area
littered with coral heads. Just meander around, keeping one eye on
the sand in front of you, as it could be home to a hidden Southern
Sting Ray. Also, if your eyes are sharp enough, lookout for rare Pipe
Fish, Pipe Horses and Peacock Flounders.
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BUTCHER'S BANK
Great afternoon dive in search of Turtles and Rays, this area boasts
some great shaped coral formations and sandy areas as you glide along
at just 45ft.
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WHISKEY RIVER DRIFT
Named after a dive group from Minnesota who just loved that area,
this dive is very much like Ocean Spirit.
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OCEAN SPIRIT
This mooring was put in so that a cruise ship "Ocean Spirit"
could tie off here. Great afternoon dive looking for Turtles and Rays
down on the 80ft sand or on the 45ft sand as you cruise north.
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SPONGE EMPORIUM
So named by Dennis Smythe, an instructor at A.K.R, because of the
variety of sponges here. This is a wonderful sandy slope dive dotted
with coral heads and quite an interesting ridge that forms kind of
a huge curve. Southern Stingrays can be found hiding under the sand
and sometimes a Nurse Shark underneath a coral outcrop. See if you
can find the old Singer sewing machine, and the old anchor encrusted
with coral. A great area for turtles (sponges are Hawksbill Turtles
favorite food), Furry Sea Cucumbers and huge Hermit Crabs, wonderful
afternoons dive.
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MANDY'S EEL GARDEN
Magical formations of corals and sponges and sloping white sand give
this place a dream-like quality like no other site on Roatan. Like
the name says there is a Garden of Eels down at about 65ft. Huge white
shallow sand patches make it ideal for students on their first dive
and it's perfect for snorkeling as the top of the wall is only 20ft.
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BLACK ROCK
A deep mooring (about 60feet), which makes an exciting and beautiful
descent through clear blue water. Lovely wall.
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WEST END WALL
A shear wall, healthy coral, a lot of fish and good chances of seeing
Eagle Rays. A really beautiful dive, usually with a nice current,
so just drift along and enjoy the ride.
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Grouper |
TEXAS
Why? Because " everything is so huge " said Mickey, an instructor
at West End Divers and well the name just stuck. This is UNSPOILT
BEAUTY at it's best. Huge Barrel Sponges, some big enough to hide
inside are scattered everywhere across the plains of Texas and glorious
corals housing every type of Caribbean reef fish like the Queen Triggerfish
and Black Durgon. Rare fish like the Atlantic Spade Fish and the Sargassum
Triggerfish can be found amongst these coral patches, but be discreet
because they are shy fish that dart back into their holes if they
see you coming. Usually there is a wonderful current that runs east
to west making it perfect to glide across the plains at ease at 50
ft. The actual wall top at Texas is quite deep at 100ft and beyond,
and then it's sometimes difficult to work your way shallower against
the current. Anyone can enjoy the plains of Texas but right out on
the wall calls for a little more experience.
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WET DREAM
The Gateway to Texas. The end of the wall that comes from the south
side and meets the mighty belly of Texas. This wall is one of the
healthiest and most beautiful areas on the whole island. Orange Elephant
Ears, Rope Sponges that crawl out into the blue, Sea Whips, Tube sponges,
Tunicates. Forests of Sea Fan Gorgonians and Black Coral are stacked
together in a myriad of color and variety. The top of the wall is
50ft and then drops down to 100's of feet. Here are some of the most
impressive overhangs full of life while shoals of Creole Wrasse and
Boga stream back and forth. Black Durgons, Ocean Triggerfish, Dog
Snapper, Grouper, Barracuda, Horse-Eyed Jack and a free swimming Green
Moray can be seen. There almost seem to be too many fish; it can be
hard to know which way to look!
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GORGONIAN KINGDOM
So called because there are fields and fields of Rod, Plume and Whip
Gorgonians swaying back and forth in the surge as we glide over them.
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HERBIE'S PLACE
Named after a divemaster at A.K.R this place offers a sheer wall drop
like Pablo's and many Gorgonian Soft Corals.
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PABLO'S PLACE
This dive is much better in the mornings as the sun is more around
the south side illuminating the impressive wall and overhangs that
make this dive unforgettable. Like all the dives on the South Side
you be amazed at the abundance of soft corals that sway back and forth,
enchanting you.
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KEYHOLE
Much the same as Pablo's and Herbie's Place but with more sandy slopes.
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IRON MAN
Wicked sheer wall drop down to 100's of feet, with the top coming
right up to just 15ft below the surface. Usually dived in the rainy
season.
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SELECT SOUTH SIDE DIVE SITES
The Colors of the Reef |
MARY'S PLACE
Originally Mary's Crack, a divemaster at Brick Bay Resort discovered
and named it after his wife, but had to change it for an article in
Scuba Diver magazine a long time ago. This has got to be one of Roatan's
most famous dives because of its amazing structure forming this crack
inhabited by every type of coral, and sponge. Impressive overhangs
teem with colour and life and lots of Seahorses.
VALLEY OF THE KINGS
Right in front of Coco View Dive Resort this site has all the same
ingredients as Half Moon Bay combined with Pablo's Place. Very beautiful.
INSIDIOUS REEF(SHARK DIVE)
This is a sea mound that rises up out of the open ocean just a mile
off shore opposite the airport. It covers quite a large area and Las
Palmas Dive Shop on the South side organizes their Shark Dive on part
of this reef. The Sharks are baited to attract them.
NIGHT DIVES
Two days after Full Moon, and for another 10 nights, Night Dives are
an absolute MUST here in Roatan. Explain it if you will, but there
is magic in the water every month, inspired by the Luna cycle. After
every full moon a special phenomenon occurs we call "The Strings
of Pearls", well it's actually Microscopic Pelagic Shrimps that
leave trails of phosphorescence. Drop onto a sand patch and switch
your lights off and wait, be patient and you will see a glowing star
system starting to appear all around you, constantly moving, forming
new strings and fading out and forming more and so on, amazing.
But that's not all, no, wait until you switch your light back on
and you will be in for a surprise. There are thousands and thousands
of tiny pink worms that are attracted to the light, so stay still
and watch them swarm. Move slowly over to a patch of perhaps Brain
Coral where if you put the light about a foot away from it, the worms
will collide, and then caught by the open polyps, which excrete a
protein that causes the red worms to explode!!!
Other night time creatures such as Basket Stars, Tigertail Sea Cucumbers,
Brittle Stars, and Lobster are plentiful. And, of course, there are
plenty of Octopi to watch hunting.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
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