Rodale’s Scuba Diving

The Bay Islands

Have It All in Honduras

The Bay Islands of Honduras seemingly have it all for divers, with Caribbean diving in a Central American setting. Excellent diving conditions, an array of varied dive operators and resorts, and a choice of topside time activities make the Bay Islands a big draw to divers of all dive and travel experience levels.

One of the many great things about a Bay Islands dive vacation is that you can create the type of trip you’d like to experience. Whether you want it to be dive travel the way it was 30 years ago or with all the modern amenities, there’s an island, a resort, and dive operation to suit your needs. In and out of the water, the Bay Islands and Honduras make for a unique diving destination.

This perfect diver’s hideaway is no longer a secret, thank goodness, but it still offers a dive vacation unlike any other in the world. With a wide range of operators, resorts, and even islands from which to choose, we have some great insider tips to having it all in the Bay Islands.

WHERE IN THE WORLD

Located in Central America southeast of Belize, the Bay Islands are generally located anywhere from 10 to 35 miles from mainland Honduras to the south. There are three main islands and more than 60 smaller ones. Roatan is the largest, most populated, and most visited, while both Guanaja and Utila have come into their own in a big way with divers. Influenced historically by Spain and Britain, both English and Spanish are spoken.

GETTING THERE

Getting to your Bay Island is as easy as ever. In fact, getting to the Bay Islands in general is almost as easy as going somewhere in the U.S. and often as quick. Many divers don’t realize that Roatan is just a two-hour flight from Miami. Though things can obviously change, there are typically direct flights to Roatan from Miami, Houston, and New Orleans (TACA Airlines), as well as connections by way of San Pedro Sula or Belize City to Roatan, Guanaja, and Utila. Thus, whether you’re going for a long weekend or a week or more, the Bay Islands make it easy to get there and get diving.

THE UNDERWATER WORLD

The diving in the Bay Islands offers warm and clear water, a wide variety of marine life that can vary between islands, stunning coral formations, sheer walls, many protected areas, a successful effort by operators to educate divers about environmental impact, lots of mooring buoys to keep the reefs healthy, and experienced dive operators to help divers see it all. General highlights on any visit may include: sea mounts with lots of coral and passing pelagics; black coral and many other species; bluebell tunicates for photographers; Utila’s whale sharks; the pristine Cayos Cochinos protected area; and so many other possibilities.

ROATAN

At more than 40 miles long, Roatan has a large number and variety of dive sites. West End Wall is a perennial favorite, with a large amount of colorful corals and sponges, plus lots of active fish life. Popular dives include: Calvin’s Creek; Enchanted Forest; Valley of the Kings; Herbie’s Fantasy; Barry’s Reef; Lighthouse Reef; Wrasse Hole, and Deep Eel Garden. The Marine Conservation Sanctuary has helped Roatan return to reefs teeming with healthy sea life.

The friendly and first-rate dive operators and resorts go to these sites and many others routinely. Tourism services in general are also on the increase, as more divers and other visitors continue to discover the island. If you just can’t limit yourself to choosing one or two Bay Islands, a live-aboard is another great bet. This way, you’ll get to see the best of the Bay Islands below the surface!

GUANAJA

Second in size to Roatan, Guanaja is definitely quieter. This is a great Bay Islands choice if you want some great diving and really want to get away from it all above and below the surface.

Dive highlights have to include tunicates at Toon Town; the Jado Trader; Jim’s Silver Load; and the good possibility seeing big grouper (they spawn here in January and February). There’s also some nice shore diving, with walls starting just off the island. The Guanaja Marine Reserve, established in 1996, means the marine life will flourish for all to enjoy.

UTILA

If you want to see whale sharks, head to Utila. This wonderful little island offers great diving and people, with a laid-back atmosphere reminiscent of dive resorts decades ago.

In addition to whale sharks and the potential of pilot whales, spots like Willy’s Hole in the Turtle Harbor Marine Reserve, Black Hill, and many sites that don’t even have names yet make Utila a unanimously favorite Bay Islands destination for those who make it there. The whale sharks are now protected under Honduran law.

CAYOS COCHINOS

This unique part of the Bay Islands are not part of the primary chain, but situated between Roatan and mainland Honduras. The entire chain of Cayos Cochinos is protected as a biological reserve and the diving is nothing short of extraordinary. Pelican Wall, off Grande Cochinos, is worth the trip on its own. Add in other possibilities like Flamingo I, Pelican III, Bunker Cove, and Charlotte’s Choice, and you have the dive destination of a lifetime. It’s one of the many diamonds in the Bay Islands diving crown.

TOPSIDE TIME

Whichever way you choose to enjoy the Bay Islands, the topside time may also be of interest. Geographically, these volcanic islands offer tropical mountain ranges and jungles that literally plummet into the water. This can make for great hiking, mountain biking, and other outdoors activities (including sea kayaking and windsurfing).

For those interested in more than world-class diving Roatan generally offers the most topside possibilities, with options including boat cruises, dolphin activities, and the Carambola Botanical Gardens. Hiking and biking are the main alternate activities on Utila and Guanaja.

It’s thus easy to see why the Bay Islands have it all for divers. However you choose to explore this underwater world, it’s just a matter of choosing where and when to go!