Where to go diving in Roatán Marine Park
The best way to get to know the Roatán Marine Park is to spend some time underwater at one of their dive spots. It is also the perfect place to get your PADI open water diving qualification or advanced qualification, as there are several dive outfits here. According to PADI, the best dive spots are Hole in the Wall, Cara a Cara, Mary’s Place and El Guila Wreck.
Hole in the Wall is made up of holes and swim-throughs, as well as a cavern that you need a deep divers certificate to investigate. Mary’s Place is a volcanic crevice full of corals and the El Guila Wreck is an old cargo ship artificially sunk to create a marine environment. Cara a Cara is a must for shark lovers as it is famous for its Caribbean reef sharks. For those who are interested in the environment, it is possible to dive to the coral nursery at Anthony’s Key Resort to learn about restoring the reefs. If you don’t have your diver’s license, never fear. There are plenty of snorkeling opportunities around Roatán, where you can still see stunning marine life.
The marine life you’ll see
Roatán’s aquatic wildlife ranges from the tiny seahorse to the almighty whale shark and everything in between. Inside the colorful array of fish that you’ll find hidden in the reef are angelfish, parrotfish and butterflyfish. Nudibranches (sea slugs) also graze on the reefs. Bigger species like barracuda, grouper, eagle rays and sea turtles also make regular appearances. The types of sharks include nurse sharks, reef sharks, hammerheads and the elusive whale shark. For those hoping to see a whale shark, the best time of year to see them here is from March to May and August to October.
Keep your eyes peeled even when on the shore, as pods of dolphins can be seen passing by. It is also worth investing in a snorkel as you can access the West Bay reef from the beach to see even more wildlife in between dives or boat trips. If you’re a budding enthusiast, you may want to invest in a marine life identification guide. That way, you’ll know what you’re seeing and be able to tell your dive mates all about it.
