Madelines - Roatán

Pandora Reef offers a pleasant wall dive, just a short boat hop from Barefoot Kuata. The wall itself undulates, dropping to around 16m, and if the current’s playing ball, you can drift along, peeking into small swim-throughs and caves. We’ve found plenty of Blackstriped Cardinalfish tucked into crevices and Spotted Grouper hovering near ledges. Visibility hovers around 14m on average. It’s a good spot for a relaxed exploratory dive, especially if you enjoy searching for smaller reef residents.

Location
Roatán, Honduras, Central America
Coordinates
16.074600, -86.941800
Type
reef

Marine Protected Area: Sistema de Humedales de la Isla de Utila

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 Madelines

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 Madelines

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

How deep is the Madelines dive site?
The Madelines dive site has a maximum depth of 16 meters. It features a gently sloping sandy bottom, making it a comfortable dive for exploring the shallower areas and observing the unique topography.
What kind of marine life can divers expect to see at Madelines?
Divers exploring Madelines can anticipate encountering unique marine life. Keep an eye out for the Southern Star Gazer, which may suddenly pop up from under the sand, along with Peacock Flounders and Sand Tilefish. This site is also known for visits from upside-down jelly and Caribbean reef squid, offering diverse viewing opportunities for your wildlife spotting.
Is Madelines a difficult dive site, or is it suitable for beginners?
The Madelines dive site is rated as intermediate difficulty. While not extremely challenging, it is best suited for divers with some prior experience rather than absolute beginners. This rating ensures divers can comfortably manage the conditions and fully enjoy the site's unique features.
When is the best time of year to dive at Madelines for optimal conditions?
Our current data for the Madelines dive site does not specify a particular best time of year for optimal conditions. For general guidance on diving in Roatán, we recommend consulting our When to Dive section for broader seasonal insights. Always check local conditions closer to your travel dates for the most accurate information.
What dive certifications are required or recommended for diving at Madelines?
The provided data for the Madelines dive site does not explicitly state specific certification requirements. As it is an intermediate dive site, a PADI Open Water Diver certification or equivalent is generally recommended as a minimum. Always confirm with your local dive operator for any specific requirements they may have.
What are the typical current and water conditions like at the Madelines dive site?
At the Madelines dive site, divers can typically expect excellent average visibility of 19 meters, offering clear views of the marine life and sandy bottom. Our current data does not provide specific details on typical current strength or water temperature for this particular site. It's always a good practice to check with local dive shops for the most up-to-date conditions.