Explore Honduras: Top 12 Dive Sites
What’s the single best reason to explore our editors’ dozen favorite dive sites in the Bay Islands of Honduras? How this? The reefs of the Bay Islands are home to every species of marine life found in the Caribbean. Roatan, the largest of the three Bay Islands, is wrapped in a number of famous dives, such as Mary's Place, the El Aguila wreck and the CoCo View Wall. Dive with dolphins at the Roatan Institute for Marine Science or hop over to the sleepy island of Utila, one of the world's true whale shark hotspots. For edge-of-the-earth dive adventures, don't miss the third sister island of Guanaja, where the wreck of the Jado Trader awaits. Here’s the complete list of don’t-miss Honduras dive sites.

Mary’s Place
Let’s say you’d come all the way to Roatan and could only dive one site: This should be it. Mary’s Place is legendary among divers for its lush, stunning, narrow canyons that are crowded with sea fans and black coral trees and alive with movement in every crack and crevice, shadow and lair. Unforgettable and unique.

Texas
At the far western tip of the island, Texas sits at the crossroads of two currents that feed a vast array of marine life — all fat and healthy. Many savvy divers actually prefer this dive among all of Roatan’s exceptional sites.

Hole in the Wall
At Hole in the Wall, you descend through a long tunnel that exits at 110 feet onto the steepest wall off Roatan. The bottom here doesn’t exist for divers. The blue continues into the abyss, and after a few moments of deepwater bliss, you ascend and wander through a shallow network of caverns and canyons.

El Aguila Wreck
Spanish for “the eagle,” this 210-foot cargo ship has been a Roatan icon since it was intentionally sunk in 1997, and it’s now broken into three parts. You’ll encounter large numbers of resident groupers, eels and blue parrotfish among the luscious coat of corals that now decorates the superstructure of this must-experience dive.

Blue Channel
Just off Sueno del Mar, Blue Channel makes a great first dive. Just wade in from shore, and a short swim brings you to a spur-and-groove dive site with loads of marine critters that have no problem getting up close and checking you out.

Overheat
Named after the patch of reef over which an old resort dive boat would overheat each day, this north wall site explodes with life when there’s a slight current washing over it. Enjoy the drift, and spy on turtles, groupers, creole wrasse and triggerfish as you pass.

Coco Sea Mount
If you get lucky and the seas are flat, you’ll be able to moor up at this exceptionally healthy and lively seamount. Usually only available to live-aboards, it offers everything from spotted eagle rays and barracuda to schools of horse-eye jacks and blue chromis.

Toon Town
Known for its macro life, this dive off Cayos Cochinos is jam-packed with big clumps of bluebell tunicates, small crabs and flamingo tongue cowries, among a long laundry list of headliners from the tinier marine kingdoms.

Eels Garden
A hot spot for beginner divers, Mandy’s Eel Garden will get you hooked on the dive life. Here you’ll find hundreds of garden eels in the shallow sand flats, but a quick swim through the site’s reef canyons reveals spotted and green morays too.

Half Moon Bay Wall
If you like crowds of marine life, put Half Moon Bay Wall near the top of your must-dive list. From the juvenile nurseries in the shallows to the sloping wall, you’ll find everything here, including big barracudas, tiny filefish and spotted drums. Giant orange elephant ear sponges and large sea fans and sea rods populate the deeper part of the dive.

Connie’s Dream
At Connie’s Dream, a gently sloping drop-off, you’ll revel in forests of tube sponges and azure vase sponges. The spur-and-groove formations, canyons and channels will lead you right to the edge of the wall.

Enchanted Forest
Vibrant and healthy sponges dominate the underwater seascape at this offshore site. Unfolding over the top of an undersea ridge, this site combines the best of Roatan’s active reefs with the possibility of a passing pelagic.

Visit our interactive Honduras Dive and Travel guide for more recommendations, travel tips, hot spots, and resort and dive operator information, as well as beautiful photos of this dive destination of a lifetime.