Bear’s Den - Roatán

Dale Green, for us, is classic Fiordland. We’re talking about those sheer walls that just disappear into the dark, cold water. You descend, and it’s like dropping into a twilight zone. The light filters through the tannin-stained surface, giving everything this eerie, green glow. We’ve always been drawn to the black coral trees here, some of them are huge, spreading out from the rock face like ancient, gnarled sculptures. Look closely, and you’ll often spot butterfly perch and soldierfish darting amongst the branches. It’s not just the black coral that makes it special though. Peer into the overhangs, and you’ll find splashes of red coral, a real contrast against the dark rock. And don’t forget the smaller stuff – we’ve seen some brilliant nudibranchs here, often tucked away on hydroids or sponges. Visibility can vary, averaging around 13 metres, but on a good day, it stretches further, allowing you to appreciate the sheer scale of the wall. This site is best for experienced divers comfortable with deep wall diving, who appreciate unique ecosystems over brightly coloured tropical reefs. Keep an eye out for inquisitive seals too; they often pop by to check you out.

Location
Roatán, Honduras, Central America
Coordinates
16.336800, -86.568900
Type
reef

Marine Protected Area: Islas de la Bahía

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 Bear’s Den

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 Bear’s Den

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