Best Dive Resorts in Roatán, Honduras (2026 Guide)

Roatán: The Caribbean's Best-Value Diving Destination

Roatán, the largest of Honduras's Bay Islands, sits directly on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef — the second-largest reef system in the world. This privileged position makes it one of the planet's premier scuba diving destinations, offering crystal-clear visibility, abundant marine life, and dramatic wall dives at a fraction of the cost of comparable destinations in the Maldives, Red Sea, or Great Barrier Reef.

The island's dive resorts cater to every level, from first-time snorkelers to advanced technical divers. With warm water year-round (26–30°C), minimal current at most sites, and over 100 mapped dive spots within easy boat range, Roatán delivers world-class underwater experiences in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.

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Roatán's Dive Regions

The island's diving is concentrated in several distinct areas:

West End & West Bay: The most developed tourist area with the highest concentration of dive shops and resorts. Shallow reef starts just offshore, making it perfect for beginners. The famous West End Wall drops from 6 meters to over 40 meters within swimming distance of shore.

Sandy Bay: A quieter alternative between the West End and Coxen Hole. Home to the Roatán Institute for Marine Sciences and several excellent dive sites including the Odyssey Wreck.

French Harbour & Coxen Hole: The island's commercial center with fewer tourist-oriented dive operations but excellent access to less-visited east-side dive sites.

East End (Camp Bay & Port Royal): The least developed part of the island with pristine, uncrowded reefs and the feel of discovering a secret Caribbean paradise. Fewer facilities but arguably the best diving.

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Top Dive Resorts

Turquoise Bay Dive & Beach Resort

Located on the quieter south shore near Roatán's eastern tip, Turquoise Bay is consistently rated the island's top dive resort. The all-inclusive package covers accommodation, meals, and unlimited diving from their private dock — with house reef access for shore diving day and night.

The resort's dive operation features small group sizes (maximum 6 divers per guide), well-maintained equipment, and access to pristine east-end sites that few other operators visit. Above water, the beachfront pool, waterfront restaurant, and spacious rooms with sea views create a complete resort experience.

Price range: $$$$ (all-inclusive with diving) | Best for: Serious divers, couples, underwater photographers

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Roatán Divers Resort — West End

A dedicated dive hotel where everything revolves around getting you underwater efficiently. The resort's dive center is PADI 5-Star rated with experienced multilingual instructors. Packages include two-tank morning boat dives, afternoon shore diving, and night dives — up to five dives per day for the truly dedicated.

Rooms are comfortable without being fancy, with the philosophy that you'll spend most of your time either underwater or on the breezy oceanfront deck reviewing the day's footage. The on-site restaurant serves hearty meals designed around dive schedules.

Price range: $$$ | Best for: Dive-focused travelers, groups, certification courses

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Infinity Bay Spa & Beach Resort — West Bay

For travelers who want world-class diving combined with full resort amenities, Infinity Bay delivers. Located on West Bay Beach — consistently rated one of the Caribbean's best beaches — the resort offers spacious condo-style suites with full kitchens, a stunning infinity pool, full-service spa, and multiple restaurants.

The partnership with a top-rated local dive shop means guests enjoy priority booking and special rates on dive packages. It's the ideal choice for mixed groups where some members want to dive while others prefer beach and spa time.

Price range: $$$$ | Best for: Couples, families, mixed dive/non-dive groups

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Seagrape Plantation Resort — East End

A hidden gem on the undeveloped east end of the island, Seagrape offers an intimate dive experience far from the crowds. With just a handful of rooms, the resort provides personalized attention and access to pristine reefs that see only a fraction of the traffic of west-end sites.

The on-site dive center offers small-group excursions to nearby sites including the Pigeon Cay wall and the rarely visited reefs around Port Royal. Kayaks, paddleboards, and snorkel gear are complimentary, and the restaurant specializes in fresh seafood caught by local fishermen.

Price range: $$ | Best for: Divers seeking solitude, nature lovers, experienced divers wanting uncrowded sites

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Mayan Princess Beach & Dive Resort — West Bay

Offering excellent value on one of Honduras's best beaches, Mayan Princess provides spacious beachfront suites at mid-range prices. The PADI-certified dive center on property offers everything from Discover Scuba experiences to advanced specialty courses.

The resort's location at the quieter end of West Bay Beach gives guests easy access to restaurants and nightlife while maintaining a peaceful retreat atmosphere. All-inclusive and room-only options are available.

Price range: $$–$$$ | Best for: Value seekers, first-time divers, families

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What to Expect Diving in Roatán

Marine Life Highlights

Roatán's reefs are home to an extraordinary diversity of marine life:

• Sea turtles (hawksbill and green) are seen on nearly every dive
• Spotted eagle rays patrol the reef walls
• Whale sharks visit between March and May
• Dolphins are frequently spotted on boat rides to dive sites
• Macro life including seahorses, frogfish, and nudibranchs delights photographers

Signature Dive Sites

• Mary's Place: A dramatic volcanic fissure in the reef creating a swim-through canyon draped in sponges and soft corals
• The Odyssey Wreck: A purposely-sunk cargo ship at 30 meters, now colonized by marine life
• Spooky Channel: A swim-through tunnel system at West End that's perfect for intermediate divers
• Calvin's Crack: A narrow slot canyon dropping to 40 meters with prolific sponge growth

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Dive Certification Options

Roatán is one of the world's most affordable places to get PADI or SSI certified:

• Open Water course: $280–350 (4 days) — significantly cheaper than Caribbean or Southeast Asian alternatives
• Advanced Open Water: $220–280 (2 days)
• Rescue Diver: $280–350 (3–4 days)
• Divemaster: $800–1,200 (4–8 weeks)

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Best Time to Dive

Diving is excellent year-round, but conditions vary:

• March–September: Calmest seas, best visibility (30–40 meters), warmest water (28–30°C)
• October–February: Occasional swells from northern cold fronts, but reduced crowds and lower prices
• March–May: Whale shark season for lucky encounters

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Getting to Roatán

By air: Juan Manuel Gálvez International Airport (RTB) receives direct flights from Houston, Miami, Dallas, and several Central American cities. Budget carriers Volaris and Spirit have made flights increasingly affordable.

By ferry: Galaxy Wave operates a daily ferry from La Ceiba on the mainland (1.5 hours, ~$35 each way).

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Essential Tips

1. Book dive packages — multi-day packages offer significant savings over individual dives
2. Bring your own mask — the most important piece of personal dive gear for comfort
3. Reef-safe sunscreen only — Honduras law prohibits harmful sunscreen chemicals near the reef
4. Tip your divemaster — $5–10 per day is customary
5. Try a night dive — Roatán's reef transforms after dark with octopus, lobster, and bioluminescence