El Aquario - Roatán

Jina Wall is our pick when we're around the north end of Jina Island. It’s not about grand vistas here, more about the texture of the reef and what lives in its nooks. The wall itself drops from about 8 metres to a gravelly bottom at 21, and we love poking into the shallow caverns and overhangs. That's where you'll often find the smaller, shyer stuff – chestnut blennies bobbing their heads and blackside hawkfish perched just so. The star of the show, though, and frankly a bit of a bully, is the resident potato grouper. He’s massive, he's persistent, and he'll likely be in your face, demanding attention. We’ve had him follow us for entire dives. Beyond his antics, keep an eye out for patrolling Allison’s tuna or the shimmer of a big long-nosed butterflyfish against the darker rock. Visibility averages around 16 metres, which is decent for scouting out the less obvious creatures. This site suits divers who enjoy a slower pace, who like to investigate cracks and crevices, and who don't mind a very close encounter with a large, curious fish. It’s a site for details, not wide-angle photography.

Location
Roatán, Honduras, Central America
Coordinates
16.302200, -86.598200
Type
wall

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 El Aquario

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 El Aquario

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 El Aquario?
El Aquario is known as a pure deep and wall dive, with the mooring situated on the top reef at about 25 ft / 8 m. Divers can explore the impressive wall down to a maximum depth of 20m, offering a great experience for recreational divers at El Aquario.
What marine life and underwater topography can divers expect to encounter at El Aquario?
At El Aquario, divers can expect to encounter a vibrant wall topography. The site is teeming with an abundance of marine life, including impressive giant barrel sponges, tube sponges, azure vases, huge plate corals, and fans, alongside many other corals. For more information on marine species, visit our wildlife database.
How difficult is the El Aquario dive site for recreational divers?
The El Aquario dive site is classified as intermediate in difficulty for recreational divers. While it can be done as a drift or stationary dive, its nature as a deep wall dive suggests divers should have some experience and comfort with such conditions.
What is the best time of year to dive El Aquario for good conditions?
The provided information does not specify the best time of year to dive El Aquario for optimal conditions. We recommend checking our general When to Dive guide for Roatán or Honduras for seasonal insights.
Are there any specific certification requirements to dive at El Aquario?
The provided data does not specify any particular certification requirements to dive at El Aquario. As an intermediate wall dive with a maximum depth of 20m, divers should ensure they are comfortable with such conditions. It is always recommended to check with local dive operators in Roatán for the most current and specific requirements.
What are the usual current strengths, water temperatures, and visibility at El Aquario?
At El Aquario, divers can expect an excellent average visibility of 20m. While specific water temperatures and current strengths are not provided, the site can be enjoyed as a drift dive, suggesting that currents may be present and should be considered. Divers should always check local conditions before diving.