A diving vacation in the Caribbean is always fantastic. Clear blue water, the opportunity for relaxation in the sun before and after dives, and the beauty of the Caribbean Islands themselves are just a few things that come to mind! Besides the marvelous side benefits though, there is something else that divers love about a Caribbean dive holiday, and that is the fact that the sites themselves very often feature amazing topography. Here are just a few examples of such sites in Roatan, which offer swimthroughs that are both fun and fascinating. Let’s go!
Dolphin Den
Named for the dolphin skeletons which can be found inside, this shallow swimthrough is much like a cave system that runs from the inside edge of the reef to the outer reef wall. Sadly, dolphins occasionally chase fish into this maze, and then find themselves trapped, unable to surface for a breath. Thankfully, this does not occur often.
For divers, Dolphin Den is easy to navigate through, yet is extensive enough to provide enough adventure to last an entire dive. Depths here are between 15 and 40 feet, and there are lots of openings in the ceiling which allow light to penetrate, creating fantastically beautiful effects. Watch for shimmering schools of silversides, moray eels, nurse sharks, and lobsters inside the tunnels, and enjoy the spectacularly colorful array of creatures that can be seen outside, as well!
The Underground
Beginners will enjoy exploring the shallow, exposed areas of this beautiful site, while even intermediate divers can explore the tunnel, which begins at about 20 feet below the surface, and eventually opening up in a channel at 80 feet. The tunnel is punctuated with cracks and holes that allow the sun’s light to penetrate it, and starfish, anemones, and lobsters, as well as other invertebrates and crustaceans are abound. Outside, you’ll find a wealth of tropical fish and rays, as well as the occasional shark, turtle, or passing pod of dolphins. Look out into the blue from the exit, and you will likely see lots of large pelagics passing.
Doc’s Dive
Beginning in shallow water about 15 feet deep, Doc’s Dive features a wall where you will find lots of chimneys plus a few swimthroughs that will keep you busy for more than one dive! The wall drops to a little more than 100 feet in some places, while the shallows feature sandy-bottomed chutes where scorpionfish, flounder, jawfish, and even the occasional napping nurse shark can be found. The reef itself is beautifully decorated with lettuce corals, as well as stands of elkhorn and staghorn coral. A rainbow of colorful reef fish populate the shallow areas, while the view from the wall includes a parade of passing pelagics in healthy abundance. Novice divers can explore the reef top, while the wall and tunnels are suitable for intermediate divers and above.
Labyrinth
Labyrinth is ideal for all divers, as it features a shallow reef area filled with lovely coral and colorful fish, as well as sandy canyons that form a leisurely path through massive rock formations that create swimthroughs of gargantuan proportions. Maximum depth here is only 60 feet, so you’ll have plenty of time to explore the area thoroughly and search for the sea horses that cling to the gorgonian and black coral that coats the bottom of the rocks. You’re certain to enjoy the company of large spotted drums, friendly groupers, syncopated schools of glassy sweepers, and the many other creatures you’ll find at this wonderfully varied site.
Hole in the Wall
Ideal for all divers, Hole in the Wall begins in 40 feet of water along a sand chute, where a spectacular little wall on the right offers endless opportunities for novices to become better acquainted with the particulars of underwater photography. Divers with more experience can continue down the canyon to about 100 feet for a look out over the abyss, which drops to about 5000 feet below the surface. At the top of the wall, in about 20 feet of water, a group of rock formations offer not one, but several swimthroughs, caverns, and canyons that can be explored at length.
Along the way, watch for eagle rays, shoaling creole wrasse, blue tang, yellowhead jawfish, and of course thousands of shimmering glassy sweepers and silversides.
These are but a few of Roatan’s popular dive sites. The area also offers an abundance of wall and reef dives, plus several intriguing wreck dives, and with several great dive operators to choose from, it is easy to book a trip you’re sure to remember for years to come.