Roatan Dive Sites
Discover the Best Diving in Roatan
Want to know our fave dive spots? Here is our hand-selected lists of the best Roatan dive sites we frequently visit.
Whether you’re taking your first breaths underwater or you’re an experienced advanced diver, we have the perfect dive sites for your skill level. Our favorite Roatan dive sites feature pristine coral formations, dramatic walls, fascinating wrecks, and an abundance of marine life including turtles, eagle rays, nurse sharks, dolphins, and green moray eels.
Come blow bubbles with us as we explore the beauty and diversity of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef—the second-largest reef system in the world.
Beginner
- Overheat Reef
- Gibson Bight
- Green Pearl
- Piratas
- Mandy’s Eel Garden
Advanced
- Piratas
- Spooky Channel
- Texas
- El Aguila
- Odyssey
Specialty
- El Aguila
- Odyssey
- Bear’s Den
- Canyon Reef
- Pablos
Pirata
A dive site close to our hearts. Did you know this is Roatan’s first donor-named Marine Park dive site? Octopus owner Nuria sponsored this site in honor of her beloved dog, Pirata.
At the base of the buoy, you’ll find a commemorative plaque honoring Pirata and a small padlock remembering Lola, who welcomed guests at Octopus for 12 years.
Descend directly along the mooring line to discover a stunning swim-through that begins at 30 feet on top of the reef and guides you down to 70 feet on the wall. The passage is long and beautiful, with opportunities to spot trumpetfish hiding among soft corals. After exploring the wall, enter a canyon leading to a platform at around 40 feet—home to everything from tiny jawfish to graceful rays and curious turtles.
Marine Life Highlights
- Eagle rays and green sea turtles
- Macro life including neck crabs and decorator crabs
- Jawfish in the sandy areas
- Trumpetfish camouflaged among soft corals
- Various reef fish at cleaning stations
Tip
This site holds special meaning as a Marine Park donation. The commemorative plaque makes for a unique photo opportunity while supporting reef conservation.
Best For
- Certified divers wanting scenic swim-throughs
- Turtle encounters
- Drift diving introduction
- Marine Park supporters
"Close to the wall, sometimes current. Beautiful topography with channels. Perfect for those who recently got certified, as the mooring line is attached to a shallow part of the reef, and for those who want to experience a drift dive, as it is close to the wall and can sometimes have a little current."
Gibson Bight
Have you always heard about Mary’s Place but couldn’t go due to weather? Welcome to Gibson Bight—one of Sandy Bay’s most beautiful dive sites, right at our doorstep!
For Open Water Divers: Explore small shallow canyons and drift along to the wall. Follow the reef until you reach the exit channel, where—if visibility is good—you may encounter tarpon or eagle rays. There’s a beginner-friendly channel perfect for working on buoyancy and experiencing your first swim-through.
For Advanced Divers: The deep section features a boat channel where the reef dramatically cracks open at 90 feet. At the corner, a pinnacle separates from the main reef. Descend through the crack to experience spectacular lighting effects and discover deep-sea corals. Ascending around the pinnacle, you’ll enjoy a variety of sponges, shrimps, and cleaning stations full of fish.
Marine Life Highlights
- Scaly-tailed mantis shrimp near the buoy (rare sighting!)
- Large tarpon in the channel (good visibility days)
- Eagle rays cruising the channel
- Green moray eels
- Variety of sponges and shrimps on the pinnacle
- Massive cleaning station with attendant fish
- Deep-sea corals in the crack
Tip
This is our proximity advantage—offering world-class diving just minutes from the shop! The pinnacle at 90 feet is one of Roatan’s best-kept secrets.
Best For
- All certification levels
- Buoyancy practice
- Underwater photography
- Those seeking an alternative to Mary’s Place
"Next to the buoy, we may have a special encounter with the scaly-tailed mantis shrimp. Before entering the channel, on the edge of the wall to your left, there is a large cleaning station teeming with fish."
El Aguila
This amazing 200-foot cargo ship was intentionally sunk in 1997 by Anthony’s Key Resort. Hurricane Mitch hit Roatan in 1998, breaking the wreck into three distinct pieces—each section offers unique exploration opportunities.
The Dive Plan: Start at the stern where the mooring line descends. On the sandy bottom at 110 feet, you’ll find a garden of eels—a mesmerizing sight as they sway in the current. Explore various compartments on the outside of the stern. The middle section lies on the bottom with a long corridor perfect for penetration. At the bow, discover a small compartment and the mast where arrow crabs, small frogfish, and colorful corals make their home.
From the highest part of the wreck at about 50 feet, head to the nearby wall which is rich in soft corals. This gives you another dimension to the dive beyond just the wreck—combining wreck diving with wall diving in one experience.
Marine Life Highlights
- Garden eels at the sandy bottom (hypnotic display)
- Green moray eels
- Black grouper and blue parrotfish
- Caribbean whiptail stingrays (potential spot!)
- Red snappers
- Large barracudas
- Arrow crabs and small frogfish on the mast
- Rich soft corals on the nearby wall
Tip
The penetrations are easy, making this an excellent first wreck dive. The bonus wall dive extends your bottom time and adds variety to the experience.
Best For
- Advanced divers
- Wreck enthusiasts
- Underwater photographers
- Divers wanting to combine wreck & wall diving
"What I like about this dive site is that you have a wall next to the wreck and it gives another option during the dive. About sea life, it is a potential spot to see Caribbean Whiptail Stingrays and green moray eels."
Odyssey
We’re never tired of seeing fish, but sometimes it’s nice to see something different. The Odyssey offers exactly that—a spectacular wreck dive accessible to Advanced divers.
This 300-foot-long, 50-foot-wide cargo ship was intentionally sunk in 2002 to create an artificial reef. It sits on a sandy plateau at 100-110 feet depth. The ship was properly cleaned and prepared for safe diving.
The Odyssey wreck is cut open in several sections, giving divers a variety of places to explore, and a few cracks where you can find green moray eels, glassy sweepers, and more.
Instructor, Ale notes: “In my opinion, it’s better to have an Advanced Open Water certification for this dive. The wall is also very close by, so after exploring the wreck, you can head over to the wall to look for more marine life. It’s also a great spot to do your safety stop and end the dive.”
Marine Life Highlights
- Schools of red snappers
- Large black groupers
- Barracudas
- Green moray eels in cracks and compartments
- Glassy sweepers
- Various reef fish
- Hydroids on the interior stairs
- Soft corals on the nearby wall
Tip
The penetration opportunities here are extensive. The 3-floor exploration via interior stairs is unique and makes for an interesting safety stop.
Best For
- Advanced divers
- Wreck penetration
- Wreck diver certification
- Underwater photography
- Technical divers
"I really like this wreck. The penetration is quite different compared to El Aguila. For me, the best part starts at the stern of the boat. You begin at the bottom and swim up through the interior stairs to the top of the wreck. It’s like there are three levels, and on each one, there's a room you can enter and explore."
Overheat Reef
Overheat is a gem in Sandy Bay and one of our most versatile dive sites. Perfect for Discover Scuba Diving experiences, Open Water training dives, or the Peak Performance Buoyancy Adventure Dive during your Advanced course.
The shallow sandy plateau sits at just 15-20 feet, protected from surge and currents—making it ideal for learning and perfecting your skills. The reef is surrounded by beautiful soft corals where you’ll spot sergeant majors, yellowtail damsels, black durgons, angelfish, and butterflyfish.
A 7-minute swim takes you to the wall and dramatic drop-off, where schools of creole wrasses and blue chromis welcome you. On the edge of the wall, you’ll likely find groupers patiently waiting at cleaning stations for their daily scrub.
Marine Life Highlights
- Green sea turtles (commonly sighted)
- Eagle rays gliding through the blue
- Schools of horse-eyed jacks and blue chromis
- The famous Sandy Bay toadfish
- At night: frogfish and “string of pearl” bioluminescence displays
- Various gorgonians
- Sergeant majors and yellowtail damsels
Tip
This is one of the best sites for your first scuba dives. The protected shallow area gives you confidence while the nearby wall offers adventure when you’re ready.
Best For
- First-time divers
- certification courses
- photographers
- snorkelers
- night diving
"In addition to everything described, I can't help but mention how wonderful it is for a night dive - listening to the frogfish and seeing the string of pearl, a wonderful things in the area."
Canyon Reef
One of our favorite dive sites, just a 5-minute boat ride from Octopus. Do you love swim-throughs? Canyon Reef is a playground for divers who already have experience with channels and want to take it to the next level.
At 15 feet, the reef face descends slowly to 30 feet, then drops to 60 feet, continuing down to a sandy bottom at 120 feet. The upper reef features deep cuts running perpendicular to the coast—some are narrow tunnels with walls creating overhangs, occasionally closed at the top. These formations were created by running water when ancient ocean levels were much lower.
Instructor Ale describes it beautifully: “Canyon Reef is a wonderful place due to its structure. It’s exciting to explore the maze of connecting canyons. One of my favorite swim-throughs on the island is here. Around the entrance there is a large amount of soft coral where you can search for trumpetfish or the famous flamingo tongue.”
Marine Life Highlights
- King crabs hiding in crevices
- Green moray eels sleeping in the cracks
- Lobsters, arrow crabs, and cleaner shrimp
- Trumpetfish camouflaged among soft corals
- The famous flamingo tongue snail
- Various sponges throughout the canyons
- Schools of small reef fish
Tip
A dynamic dive where you can easily spend 45+ minutes just exploring the canyons. Excellent for practicing navigation skills and buoyancy control in varied terrain.
Best For
- Skilled Open Water divers
- Advanced divers
- Underwater navigation practice
- Swim-through enthusiasts
"This site is perfect for those who already have some experience with channels and want to take it one step further. Spend a good half hour exploring the canyons up and down the reef. Keep an eye out for green moray eels sleeping in the cracks—always a nice surprise."
Spooky Channel
With shadowy overhangs and mysteriously dark holes, Spooky Channel lives up to its name. This dive site is considered one of Roatan’s finest due to its impressive topography and abundant marine life.
The dive goes through a dramatic channel that cuts the reef crest between the lagoon and the wall face. The channel reaches a maximum depth of 90 feet, and in some sections, the wall extends all the way to the surface.
Instructor Ale describes the experience: “From the buoy, we approach a small sandy plaza with the beginning of the channels. Once we venture into the canyon, an immersion through endless swim-throughs begins, taking us down to 50 feet. In the narrowest part of the channel, we pass to the other side and start the return. As we ascend to 30 feet, we pass the last, but very beautiful, swim-through and continue to the buoy through different corridors, sand patches, and canyons.”
Don’t let the name intimidate you—while it feels adventurous, the channels are safe with proper guidance. The architecture of this site is truly special.
Marine Life Highlights
- Toadfish in the crevices (common in Roatan)
- Scorpionfish camouflaged on the wall
- Lettuce sea slugs in rocky patches
- Glassy sweepers in the cave
- Silversides (when in season, filling one of the caves)
- Various sponges and soft corals
- Possible moray eel sightings
Tip
This is rated as one of Roatan’s finest dives. The combination of dramatic topography and abundant marine life makes it a must-do for advanced divers.
Best For
- Experienced divers
- Adventure seekers
- Divers comfortable with swim-throughs
- Underwater photographers
"This dive site is a perfect combination of swim-throughs, a dramatic channel, and a beautiful wall. The name gives it away—the site can feel spooky. But don't worry, your dive guide will lead you safely through the swim-throughs, have you explore the cave to spot glassy sweepers or silversides when in season."
Green Pearl
A nearby dive that offers opportunities for all types of divers. Green Pearl combines several reef environments in one dive.
Large sand channels lead you to the wall, creating habitat for fascinating creatures. The channels are home to jawfish and flounders that blend perfectly with the sandy bottom.
After diving along the wall, return by visiting the large plateau beyond the first reef barrier. This “pond” is an excellent place to search for all kinds of fish, as well as turtles and stingrays.
The variety of terrain makes this an interesting dive where you’ll see something different every time you visit.
Marine Life Highlights
- Jawfish actively building their burrows
- Camouflaged flounders in the sand
- Green sea turtles
- Southern stingrays
- Various reef fish species
- Beautiful soft and hard corals
- Cleaning stations with attendant fish
Tip
The large plateau area is excellent for safety stops with plenty to observe. Great for underwater naturalists who enjoy different habitats in one dive.
Best For
- All certification levels
- Reef fish enthusiasts
- Turtle encounters
- Relaxed diving
"Very beautiful! "
Pablo's Place/Texas
The ‘point’ marks the extreme west side of the island. This is where you’ll find these two wonderful dive sites.
One of the few places where you can experience a real drift dive, Texas is a perfect place to dive on Nitrox to explore the deeper plateau, where you can find the elusive sargassum triggerfish — the only dive site on the island where it can be seen!
Pablos, located just before, is accessible to all levels. Have you ever imagined an underwater garden? Full of soft corals and patches of reef, Pablos is exactly that.
The current brings nutrients, and nutrients bring fish—LOTS of fish! For less experienced drift divers, stay in the top area around 50 feet. For deep-water enthusiasts, the wall descends from 50 feet as deep as you want to go.
Marine Life Highlights
- Schools of horse-eyed jacks (mid-dive spectacle)
- Black grouper and yellowfin grouper in abundance
- Crevalle jacks
- Huge schools of creole wrasse
- Spotted eagle rays
- Turtles
- Triggerfish
Tip
Pablos and Texas are consistently rated as Roatan’s best dive sites. Their unique location where two currents meet creates unparalleled marine life encounters.
Best For
- Advanced divers
- Drift dive certification
- Nitrox Divers
- Underwater videographers
"Also close to the wall we can enjoy these huge schools of Creole Wrasse. Sometimes you can swim through them. They can build a wall. The current helps us to enjoy more the sea life and have amazing encounters with different species."
Rockstar
Tucked away on the north side of Roatán near Pristine Bay, Rockstar is a relatively remote location—far from the more frequently visited dive areas—means it’s often undisturbed, offering divers a pristine reef environment with exceptional visibility and little to no crowding. This makes it an ideal choice for those seeking a more private and untouched dive experience.
Rockstar is a vibrant and diverse dive site known for its unique coral formations, colorful sponges, and mild currents, Rockstar offers a scenic wall decorated with sea fans, tube sponges, and brain corals that gradually slopes into the deep blue.
Divers can explore a variety of terrain including sandy patches, coral heads, and ledges, making it ideal for both reef Fish ID and macro photography.
Marine Life Highlights
- Green sea turtles
- Spotted eagle rays
- Large barracudas
- Green moray eels
- Nudibranchs
- Horse-eye jacks (schooling)
- Creole wrasse
- Soft coral species (colorful and diverse)
- Various macro critters
Tip
Don’t rush the safety stop—there’s often amazing macro life waiting in the shallows near the end of your Rockstar dive.
Best For
- Advanced divers
- Underwater photographers
- FIsh ID enthusiasts
- Divers seeking privacy
" A very interesting dive to look for macro life"
Bear's Den
Bear’s Den offers everything: corals, swim-throughs, macro life, and a cave of enormous beauty. This dive site truly has something for everyone.
The mooring line attaches to a beautiful and spacious swim-through that takes you directly to the wall. At the top, among soft corals where trumpetfish hide, you’ll find elkhorn corals hosting a large number of small fish.
The site is named after this spectacular cavern with a narrow entrance that opens into a chamber. You’ll find glassy sweepers swimming in circles where the light enters from above—an unforgettable sight.
Near the top, there’s usually a Neck Crab situated on one of the large soft corals—a favorite subject for macro photographers.
Marine Life Highlights
- Neck crabs on large soft corals
- Drum fish (commonly seen in the surrounding area)
- Lettuce sea slugs
- Juvenile spotted drums
- Glassy sweepers swimming in circles in the cave
- Trumpetfish among elkhorn corals
- Schools of small fish around the elkhorns
Tip
The interplay of light in the cave creates stunning photographic opportunities. The cavern is safe and spacious—perfect for divers new to overhead environments.
Best For
- Intermediate divers
- Cavern enthusiasts
- Photographers seeking unique lighting
- Macro photographers
"This semi-open cave allows rays of light to filter through, creating a beautiful play of light along the passage. The final highlight is a large chamber illuminated from above, offering a stunning visual experience. ."
Mandy's Eel Garden
A perfect dive site for courses and macro photography enthusiasts. Mandy’s Eel Garden offers something special for those who know where to look.
According to instructor Andrea: “I like to do this dive site in the early morning and just stay in the sandy area at 20 feet depth. The sandy patch can surprise you because it could be a very interesting dive looking for macro life that Roatan is famous for—a lot of small creatures.”
Stay patient in the sand, and you’ll be rewarded with fascinating sightings. The large sand channels create perfect habitat for creatures that blend beautifully with their surroundings.
Marine Life Highlights
- Garden eels emerging from sand
- Nudibranchs of various species
- Small flounders buried in the sand
- Seahorses attached to soft corals
- Spotted eagle rays (occasional morning visitors)
- Various small crustaceans
- Jawfish in their burrows
Tip
This site teaches you to slow down and observe—perfect for developing the patience needed for great underwater photography.
Best For
- Certification courses
- Macro photography
- Patient observers
- Early morning dives
"Manyy's Eel Gaarden is a nice dive site especially for courses and a great fun dive to look for the macro life that Roatan is famous for!"
