Black Rock - Roatán

Black Rock is a dive we always try to hit when we're in Roatán. It’s a continuation of the West End Wall, but has its own distinct feel, more rugged and less traversed. The reef here is a maze of crags and crevices, particularly great for hunting out the smaller critters. We’ve found everything from Saddle Stargazers peeking out of the sand to the tiny, shy Jawfish with their mouthfuls of eggs. The wall itself isn't a sheer drop, more of a stepped descent to around 20 metres, peppered with giant barrel sponges that feel ancient and soft corals that glow in the ambient light. Keep your eyes peeled for the Dusky Blennies – they are everywhere if you know where to look, bobbing their heads from empty worm holes. Our favourite time to dive Black Rock is early morning, before the dive boats from West End hit their stride. You get a quieter experience and sometimes, if you're lucky, the larger Yellow Jacks cruise by in tight schools, silhouetted against the morning sun. Just remember that currents can pick up here, so be ready for a drift if the conditions dictate.

Location
Roatán, Honduras, Central America
Coordinates
16.270300, -86.602900
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 Black Rock

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 Black Rock

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