Walls, Reefs, Wrecks and Fish—The Total Package
The Bay Islands of Honduras—Roatan, Utila and Guanaja— serve up a quintessential mix of Caribbean dive experiences. There are near shore shallows where divers can spend hours searching for cryptic marine life, sheltered lagoons and coastal slopes where hard corals harbor a colorful range of reef fish and sponge-covered walls that plunge into the depths. There are wreck dives, drift dives, night dives, shark dives and, for the lucky, an encounter with the biggest fish in the sea—the whale shark. The three primary islands of the group have distinctly different personalities, allowing divers to choose between first-class resorts or laid-back dive lodges.
Highlights
- Best for: All divers
- Best season to visit: Year round
- Weather: Tropical climate with drier winters, passing summer showers and more frequent rains from October through December. Temperatures range from the 70s to summertime highs near 90
Things to Do
- Cultural Activities
- Hiking
- Paddle Sports
- Snorkeling
- Ziplining
Honduras Information
About Diving in Honduras
Though each of the three primary islands has its own topside personality, the seascapes are similar. Beyond coastal shallows dominated by grass beds and patch reefs, north-shore sites typically transition to walls that drop to great depths. Sites on the southern shores feature moderate to steep slopes, spur-and-groove formations and mini-walls to a depth beyond 130 feet, with offshore pinnacles rising from the sandy plateau that stretches to the mainland. Many of these walls and slopes are cut by intricate crevices, swim-throughs and canyons.
Diving in Honduras Tips
The walls and slopes that surround the Bay Islands are ideal for multi-level dive profiles, both with air and Nitrox mixtures. By starting deep then working shallow, divers can enjoy longer bottom times with a margin of safety and spend added time in the shallows searching out the many small creatures that hide among the crevices and coral heads.
Best Places to Dive in Honduras
Famous sites such as Mary's Place offer narrow canyons crowded with sea fans, black coral trees and marine life. Half Moon Bay Wall adds giant orange elephant ear sponges. Toon Town is a favorite for macro life and the signature blue bell tunicates. At Jim's Silverlode divers navigate tunnels filled with thousands of silverside sardines. Offshore pinnacles such as the Black Hills showcase dense coral covers. Favorite wrecks include the Odyssey, El Aquadilla, Haliburton and Jado Trader. Cara a Cara puts you face-to-face with gray reef sharks. Water temperatures have moderate seasonal variations between 78 and 83 degrees.
What to Pack for Diving in Honduras
A skin suit to 3mm full suit. If visiting in winter, add a cover-up for days with north winds. Bring a light not only for night dives but also to illuminate crevices during the day.
Specials
Honduras
Anthonys Key Resort
Valid through 1/3/26.
Additional room categories and other dates also available! Book on-line or Contact Caradonna Adventures at 800.328.2288 or email us sales@caradonna.com.
From $2,251 per person double diver
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Anthonys Key Resort
$1,874 per person double valid for travel through 12/21/24.
Book on-line or Contact Caradonna Adventures at 800.328.2288 or email us sales@caradonna.com.
From $1,874 per person double
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Anthonys Key Resort
$1,959 per person double diver valid through 12/21/24.
Additional room categories and other dates also available! Book on-line or Contact Caradonna Adventures at 800.328.2288 or email us sales@caradonna.com.
From $1,959 per person double diver
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Mayan Princess Beach & Dive Resort
Book on-line or Contact Caradonna Adventures at 800.328.2288 or email us sales@caradonna.com.
From $2,259 per person double diver
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Turquoise Bay Dive & Beach Resort
Book on-line or Contact Caradonna Adventures at 800.328.2288 or email us sales@caradonna.com.
From $1,665 per person doubel diver
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Paradise Beach Hotels and Resorts
Valid through 12/19/24. Blackout Dates Apply.
From $1,784 per person double diver
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Honduras
Mayan Princess Beach & Dive Resort
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Honduras
Turquoise Bay Dive & Beach Resort
Book on-line or Contact Caradonna Adventures at 800.328.2288 or email us sales@caradonna.com.
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Honduras
Anthonys Key Resort
Saturday arrivals preferred and possibly required during peak travel.
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Honduras
Anthonys Key Resort
Saturday arrivals preferred and possibly required during peak travel.
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Honduras
The Resort at Marble Hill
Caradonna guests preferred pricing (paid on site) on beer, spirit, cheese and jam tastings, cocktail mating workshops, boat charter trips (snorkeling or fishing), yoga, pilates, personal trainers, and more!
Book Now or Contact Caradonna Adventures at 800.328.2288 or sales@caradonna for additional information.
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Honduras
Paradise Beach Hotels and Resorts
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Resorts
Honduras
Kimpton Grand Roatan and Spa
For diving enthusiasts, the resort partners with West Bay Divers, the on-property dive shop, offering guided dives to explore the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second-largest reef system in the world. Whether you're a seasoned diver or a beginner, the team at West Bay Divers provides expert instruction and unforgettable underwater adventures.
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Honduras
Anthonys Key Resort
Optional add-ons for Watersports Activities and Topside Activities available in the shopping cart after room category is selected.
Contact Caradonna Adventures at 800.328.2288 for additional information.
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Honduras
Mayan Princess Beach & Dive Resort
Optional add-ons for Watersports Activities and Topside Activities available in the shopping cart after room category is selected.
Book on-line or Contact Caradonna Adventures at 800.328.2288 or email us sales@caradonna.com.
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Honduras
Turquoise Bay Dive & Beach Resort
Turquoise Bay Divers PADI 5-Star IDC Resort offers Valet Diving (daily gear care) and multiple dive services with fresh fruit onboard all dive trips.
Optional add-ons for Watersports Activities and Topside Activities available in the shopping cart after room category is selected.
Book on-line or Contact Caradonna Adventures at 800.328.2288 or email us sales@caradonna.com.
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Honduras
Villa on Dunbar Rock
Optional add-ons for Watersports Activities and Topside Activities available in the shopping cart after room category is selected.
Book on-line or Contact Caradonna Adventures at 800.328.2288 or email us sales@caradonna.com.
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Honduras
Infinity Bay Spa and Beach Resort
Optional add-ons for Watersports Activities and Topside Activities available in the shopping cart after room category is selected.
Contact Caradonna Adventures at 800.328.2288 for additional information.
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Honduras
Paradise Beach Hotels and Resorts
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Honduras
The Resort at Marble Hill
Created by an avid diver for divers, the Resort provides direct access to the Mesoamerican Reef, an extraordinary underwater paradise. Our 5-Star PADI dive shop is fully equipped with state-of-the-art gear, experienced instructors, and boats. More than 30 dive adventures are available, and the Resort offers a diverse range of dive packages to suit every diver's preference. From thrilling wall dives to hidden underwater caves, an abundance of new experiences awaits.
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Honduras
Cabanas on Clarks Cay
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Liveaboards
Honduras
Roatan Aggressor
Call 800.328.2288 for Special Pricing and Information.
See Packages & Learn MoreDiving in Honduras
The three primary members of the Bay Islands group—Guanaja, Roatan and Utila, run in a roughly east-west line with deep waters of the Continental Shelf to the north, and the coast of Honduras some 20 to 30 miles to the south and west. With more than 300 named dive sites to choose from, divers have a seemingly overwhelming number of options. By looking at the big picture, it's possible to gain a basic understanding of what to expect. All three islands share similar underwater topographies, with minor variations in diversity. In general, their northern coasts are flanked by walls that begin at depths of 30 to 40 feet and drop to depths of more than a half mile. This area marks the southern end of the Great Mesoamerican reef system. On Guanaja and Roatan this drop begins a quarter to half a mile from shore, with shallow lagoons in between. On Utila, the walls come closer to shore. These walls are often riddled with swim-throughs, pinnacles and caverns, perhaps carved when sea levels were lower during the last ice age. These formations become more pronounced as you move east, with Guanaja having some of the most dramatic underwater terrains. The Bay Islands sustain some of the highest marine biodiversity in the Caribbean. Healthy hard and soft coral growths support a range of marine life along the walls, while their proximity to open water means an increased chance of sighting passing pelagics such as sharks, dolphin and rays. Utila is also known for the seasonal sightings of whales sharks, and dive operators will sometimes use surface intervals to head into deeper water in hopes of a bonus encounter. The island's southern shores are typified by gentle to moderate slopes that begin close to shore, then become steeper and sometimes vertical as they drop to depths of 100 to 150 feet to meet the coastal plain that extends to the mainland. Southern sites can be calmer, as they are not exposed to seasonal north winds, but don't always display the same stellar clarity. This is most noticed in summer and fall when rains swell mainland rivers and push nutrient-dense waters out from the coast. One benefit of this seasonal flow is the prolific soft coral and sponge growth that is characteristic of south-shore sites. On deeper sections of the slope, giant barrel sponges can grow to person size, and sea fans stretch broader than arms width. These reefs support a wide range of Caribbean reef fish, from grunts to groupers, damselfish, spotted drums, pufferfish, trunkfish, creole wrasse and parrotfish, plus smaller finds such as seahorses, cleaner shrimp and a range of invertebrates. The coastal plateau beyond the islands contains a number of pinnacles and seamounts that rise to support colonies of coral and sponges. Day trips from Roatan also bring divers to the small islands of the Cayos Cochinos, which sit within a marine park, and offer some of the most pristine dive sites in the region.
Passport and/or Visa Requirements
Entry Requirements: All U.S. citizens are required to present a valid passport. The passport must be valid for 6 months beyond your date of entry into Honduras. Proof of onward or return ticket is required. No visa is required. Exit Requirements: Effective Feb 15, 2015, all persons leaving Honduras pay an International Departure tax of approx $32 U.S. and $13 U.S. which should be included in your international airline ticket taxes.
Immunizations
Vaccinations are not required for entry into Honduras. Check with your doctor and the Centers for Disease Control on recommended vaccinations for travel at cdc.gov.
Culture and Customs
While the Bay Islands are similar below the waterline, they offer distinctly different personalities above. Guanaja is a land removed, where small dive lodges perch on wooded slopes and boats are a primary means of transportation—the island has only one road. Some ten miles to the west, Roatan offers a far more developed take on island life, with first-class resorts and a well-developed dive and tourism infrastructure. The island's west end is the center of nightlife, with waterfront eateries and lively bars. A few miles to the west, the island of Utila is the hippie stepchild, where divers and backpackers mingle in open-air beach bars. The islands have a colorful history. They were a haven for French, English and Dutch pirates, who ventured forth to launch raids of Spanish treasure galleons. Spanish and British colonists made several unsuccessful attempts at colonization and fought one another for possession. The islands became a refuge for black Caribes—mixed descendants of African slaves and Arawak Indians—who were forcefully displaced from the eastern Caribbean by the British. This exodus became the foundation of the Garifuna culture, which still features prominently in island traditions of song, dance and language. Equally influential are the English-speaking settlers who arrived from the Cayman Islands. Today, the population is a convivial mix of Aboriginal, Spanish and English cultures, with international accents from travelers who come from around the globe to swim in bright Caribbean waters or explore the treasures below.
Electricity, Phone and Internet Access
Electricity in Honduras is 110 volts, 60 cycles, the same as in the United States. Some outlets are 2 prongs, so you may need an adapter for any items that require a 3 prong plug. The country code for Honduras is 504. Check with your cell phone provider for international data and cell service plans and costs. WiFi is available at many resorts.
Water Quality
Many hotels offer purified water, but bottled water is recommended for drinking and brushing teeth.
Language & Currency
Spanish is the official language, known as Honduran Spanish which is similar to that of Nicaragua and El Salvador, however, English is widely spoken. The local currency is the Lempira (HNL or locally referred to as LPs) but U.S. dollars and major credit cards are accepted in most places. Check the currency rate here.
Time
Honduras is on Central Standard Time which is 6 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (-6 GMT). Honduras does not observe Daylight Savings Time.
Location, Size and Population
Honduras is situated in the north-central part of Central America. It has a Caribbean and a Pacific Coastline. To the west is Guatemala, to the South is El Salvador and to the East is Nicaragua. Honduras is the second largest country in Central America, over 43,000 square miles. The main capital is Tegucigalpa. Some of our featured destinations include islands located off mainland Honduras known as the Bay Islands, including Roatan (approx. 32 square miles), Guanaja (19.31 square miles) and Utila (17.37 square miles).
The population of Honduras is just over 8 Million, with close to 65,000 living in Roatan, 4,160 living in Utila (2015), and 5,538 living in Guanaja (2015).