Emma’s Plummet - Roatán

Jutten Island, tucked into the mouth of Saldanha Bay, feels like a secret garden, a world away from the busy Cape Town coast. We love a good kelp forest, and this one delivers. It’s a dense, swaying cathedral of ochre kelp reaching up to the surface, filtering the light into dappled greens and golds. Dive down, and you’re immersed in a dynamic environment, alive with shy sharks tucked into crevices, their eyes glinting. Look closely among the kelp holdfasts and you’ll spot colourful nudibranchs and basket stars clinging to the stalks. Visibility here averages around 4m, so it’s not about seeing vast panoramas. It’s about the intimacy of the forest, the details you find in the nooks and crannies. We’d suggest a slow pace, really letting your eyes adjust to the low light. Keep an eye out for the flashes of silver from schools of strepies darting through the fronds. This site is perfect for photographers who appreciate macro life and the unique challenge of a dark, atmospheric dive. It’s also our pick for anyone who wants to experience a quintessential South African kelp dive, rich with local character.

Location
Roatán, Honduras, Central America
Coordinates
16.371300, -86.498400

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 Emma’s Plummet

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 Emma’s Plummet

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