Divers are spoiled for choice in the Bay Islands of Honduras. With an estimated 200+ dive sites on Roatán and 50+ dive sites on the islands of Utila and Guanaja, creating a list of the best dive sites in Honduras is no easy task.
This article will highlight some of the best all-around dive sites in the Bay Islands and the mainland. A PADI Dive Shop in Honduras can help you plan a scuba diving itinerary tailored to your interests.
Best Dive Sites in Roatán, Honduras
Roatán, the largest of the Bay Islands, has wreck dives, wall dives, colorful coral gardens and the chance to experience a bioluminescent phenomenon known as the “String of Pearls.”
Here are a few of the dive sites most beloved by divers:
- Calvin’s Crack — Iconic Roatán dive site filled with life.
- Cara a Cara — A great place to see Caribbean reef sharks.
- Hole in the Wall — Swim-throughs and canyons.
- Mary’s Place — Another iconic site with abundant marine life.
- El Aguila — 76m/250 ft shipwreck purposefully sunk in 1997.
- The Odyssey — 91m/300 ft shipwreck sunk in 2022.
- West End Wall — Top dive for “the big stuff”.
Best Dive Sites in Utila, Honduras
Utila’s south side is popular with divers who prefer to avoid long boat rides. Some of the best dives on Utila’s south side include:
- Moon Hole — A variety of critters large and small.
- Black Coral Wall — Popular with photographers.
- Airport Caves — Caves and swim throughs.
- Pretty Bush — Another good site for photos.
- Little Bight — Known for seahorses.
- Black Hills — See below…
Black Hills is a longer boat ride than the other sites listed above, but totally worth it. It’s a great place to see turtles, moray eels, massive schools of fish and giant grouper.
The north side of Utila takes longer to reach, but the extra travel time is worth it if you enjoy seeing pelagics, giant sponges and interesting underwater topography. You can’t go wrong diving in The Turtle Harbor – Rock Harbor Marine Reserve. If you have to narrow it down, these three sites are some of the best:
- The Maze
- Duppy Waters
- Pinnacles
Best Dive Sites in Guanaja, Honduras
Guanaja is a less-visited (but still spectacular) Bay Island. Some of the top dive sites include:
- Jado Trader — Considered one of the best wreck dives in the Caribbean.
- Black Rock Canyon — Explore cracks and crevices; large schools of are fish common.
- The Pinnacle — Black coral and other unusual life.
Best Dive Sites on or Near the Mainland
Between Roatán and the mainland sits Cayos Cochinos. Many dive shops run special trips (weather permitting) to these stunning reefs. Fewer than 200 people live in Cayos Cochinos. There are no roads or cars, and the area has been a marine reserve since 1994.
Tela, on the Honduran mainland, is another outstanding place to dive. It’s less visited, because it’s only diveable from about April to September. The reefs are remarkably lush and, some would say, life-changing.
Plan a Scuba Diving Adventure in Honduras
Honduras is one of the most affordable scuba diving destinations in the Caribbean. Accommodations range from backpacker hostels and family-friendly resorts to luxurious liveaboards.
So why not build your own list of the best dive sites in Honduras? Connect with one of the many PADI Dive Shops in Honduras or PADI Travel to start planning your trip.
