Aquarium - Roatán

Aquarium, about 20 minutes east-northeast from Roatán’s main dive shops, is a site we keep coming back to. Forget what the name implies about captive animals, this is pure reef. We love how it unfolds across three distinct sections: the shoreline, a middle reef, and an outer reef running parallel. It’s the kind of place where you can spend a whole dive exploring overhangs and smaller caverns, feeling the subtle shift in light as you pass under. Our favourite part has to be the chance to spot the more unusual residents – we’ve seen everything from the tiny, intricate Sleeper and Kuna Gobies to the striking Blue Parrotfish. Keep an eye out for octopus tucked into crevices, moray eels peeking from their homes, and the occasional nurse shark resting in the sand. Visibility here is consistently good, usually around 19 meters, making it ideal for photographers or anyone who just wants to soak it all in. This site really suits divers who appreciate detailed exploration over dramatic depths, offering a relaxed but rewarding experience down to 19 meters.

Location
Roatán, Honduras, Central America
Coordinates
16.113600, -86.871500
Type
cave

Marine Protected Area: Sistema de Humedales de la Isla de Utila

Best Time to Dive in Roatán

The warmest water temperatures in Roatán occur in September, averaging 30.2°C. The coolest conditions are in February at 27.3°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 27.4°C
  • February: 27.3°C
  • March: 27.4°C
  • April: 28.0°C
  • May: 28.9°C
  • June: 29.3°C
  • July: 29.1°C
  • August: 29.7°C
  • September: 30.2°C
  • October: 30.0°C
  • November: 29.1°C
  • December: 28.3°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Roatán

Nearest Dive Centres to Aquarium

Marine Life in Roatán

Home to 170 recorded species including 150 reef fish, 5 sea snails & nudibranchs, 5 hard corals, 4 other, 1 sharks & rays, 1 seagrass & algae.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Aquarium

Based on average water temperature of 28.7°C, currents 7 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 29°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the typical depths for diving at the Aquarium dive site?
The Aquarium dive site offers a maximum depth of 19m. This makes it a great site for various experience levels, allowing divers to explore its unique features within recreational limits.
What marine life and coral formations can divers expect to see at the Aquarium dive site?
Divers at the Aquarium dive site can expect to encounter a diverse range of marine life, including Octopus, Moray Eels, members of the Boxfish family, Lionfish, and resting Nurse Sharks. The site itself is characterized by three distinct reefs-shoreline, middle, and outer-along with impressive overhangs, caverns, and smaller caves, offering a very scenic route.
What is the difficulty level for diving at the Aquarium dive site, and is it suitable for beginners?
The Aquarium dive site is rated as intermediate difficulty. While not ideal for absolute beginners, divers with some experience will find it a rewarding site to explore its unique features like overhangs and caverns.
What is the best time of year to dive at the Aquarium dive site for optimal conditions and marine life encounters?
The provided data does not specify the best time of year to dive at the Aquarium dive site for optimal conditions or marine life encounters. However, Roatán generally offers excellent diving throughout much of the year.
Are there any specific dive certifications required to explore the Aquarium dive site?
The provided data does not specify any particular dive certifications required to explore the Aquarium dive site. Given its intermediate difficulty and maximum depth of 19m, a standard Open Water Diver certification is typically sufficient for similar sites.
What are the typical water conditions, including currents and visibility, at the Aquarium dive site?
Divers at the Aquarium dive site can expect excellent water clarity, with an average visibility of 19m. The provided data does not specify typical current conditions for this site.