Roatán, Honduras
    Islas de la Bahía

    Palmetto Keyhole

    Best months: Jan–May

    Protected Area

    Islas de la Bahía

    Why dive here

    With 168+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, orcas, sea turtles, whale sharks and pufferfish - Palmetto Keyhole offers some of Roatán's richest reef diving. Water ranges 27-30°C, warmest August, September, October.

    Best timeJan–May
    WetsuitA 3mm shorty or thin full wetsuit
    Marine lifeBarracuda, Orcas, Sea Turtles, Whale Sharks and Pufferfish · 168+ species recorded
    Water27-30°C · warmest August, September, October
    CharacterReef dive
    StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

    Palmetto Keyhole, over on Roatán's north side, is one of those dives that feels a bit like cheating, in the best possible way. The topography here is simply excellent, a channel carved into the reef that starts around 9m and drops to a manageable 22m. We always start by following the reef wall down, letting it funnel us into the keyhole itself. It’s not a huge site, but the way the light plays through the overhangs makes it feel much larger, casting these cool, dappled patterns on the coral. What we love about Palmetto is its consistent character. You’ll drift past big star corals, plumes and rods of soft coral, and we almost always spot some yellowtail snapper schooling in the bluer water just outside the channel. Keep an eye out for blennies and gobies in the sandy patches, and if you're lucky, a saddle stargazer peeking out. It’s a pretty relaxed dive, perfect for photographers wanting to capture those moody light rays or anyone who enjoys a bit of dramatic reef structure without a raging current. We’d suggest going in the morning before any afternoon chop picks up.

    Today05:3817:2911h 51m daylightGolden hour 17:01

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    Conditions

    Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Palmetto Keyhole

    Palmetto Keyhole Ocean Conditions

    Monthly averages for Palmetto Keyhole, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (16.27, -86.6) (5km away)

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    October Averages

    Sea Temperature

    30°C

    86°F · Range: 29–31.6°C

    Current Speed

    1.41 cm/s

    Direction: NW (315°)

    Chlorophyll-a

    0.052 mg/m³

    Very clear (oligotrophic)

    Salinity

    35.96 PSU

    Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU)

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