Dolphin Den - Roatán

We really like Ilha Rasa, particularly the Guincho side, for its easygoing vibe. It’s a solid spot for newer divers, or when you just want a relaxed dive without battling strong currents. Drop down and you’re often greeted by schools of cocoroca, dog-eye snappers, and those curious butterfly fish. The maximum depth here hits around 18 metres, which feels just right for an extended bottom time, letting you really take in the scene. What makes it special for us is the chance to really slow down and appreciate the smaller things. We’ve had some fantastic encounters here – not always the big pelagics, but plenty of smooth hammerheads if you're lucky, and we’ve spotted the occasional batfish or even a slender mojarra blending into the sand. Visibility hovers around 7 metres, which honestly, in Arraial, is pretty standard and forces you to focus. We’d suggest going early in the morning, before any boat traffic stirs things up, for the best chance at spotting turtles or one of those elusive pallid snake eels poking out of the sand. It’s honest, coastal diving and a good reminder that not every dive needs to be a deep blue expedition to be enjoyable.

Location
Roatán, Honduras, Central America
Coordinates
16.329800, -86.530000

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 Dolphin 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 Dolphin 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