Palmetto Keyhole - Roatán

Sabatang Kecil 2, just a short boat ride from Nabucco Spice Island Resort, offers a relaxed dive along a steeply sloping reef. The terrain is a bit craggy, but you’ll find some really nice coral heads as you descend, with gorgonians starting to appear around 15 metres. We’ve spotted Blackbelly Pygmygobies tucked in the Staghorn coral and plenty of Gold Mouth Sea Squirts adding splashes of colour. It’s a good spot for a chilled out dive, especially if you enjoy searching for smaller critters like Yellow-horned Ribbon Eels and Varicose Wart Slugs. Max depth here is 23 metres, with visibility averaging 16 metres.

Location
Roatán, Honduras, Central America
Coordinates
16.369300, -86.502700
Type
reef

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 Palmetto Keyhole

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 Palmetto Keyhole

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 is the maximum depth for diving at Palmetto Keyhole in Roatan?
The maximum depth for diving at Palmetto Keyhole in Roatán is 22 meters. Divers typically begin their exploration at about 30 feet (approximately 9 meters), with reef walls guiding them into the channel.
What kind of marine life and underwater features can divers expect to see at Palmetto Keyhole?
At Palmetto Keyhole, divers can expect to encounter impressive topography, characteristic of Roatán's channels, featuring fascinating overhangs to explore. The vibrant marine life includes butterflyfish, fan worms, and various corals like star coral and soft corals such as plumes and rods. You'll also likely spot schools of black durgon and yellowtail snapper, among other species listed in our wildlife database.
Is the Palmetto Keyhole dive site suitable for beginner divers, or is it considered difficult?
The Palmetto Keyhole dive site is considered to be of intermediate difficulty. This suggests it is best suited for divers who have some prior experience beyond basic certification. The site's topography, with channels and overhangs, offers a rewarding experience for those comfortable with such conditions.
When is the best time of year to dive Palmetto Keyhole for the calmest conditions?
The provided data does not specify the best time of year to dive Palmetto Keyhole for the calmest conditions. For general information on seasonal diving conditions in Roatán, we recommend consulting our When to Dive section.
What dive certifications are recommended or required to dive at Palmetto Keyhole?
While specific certification requirements are not detailed in the provided data, the Palmetto Keyhole dive site is rated as intermediate difficulty. This typically implies that divers should possess at least an Advanced Open Water certification or equivalent experience to comfortably navigate its channels and overhangs. Always confirm specific requirements with your chosen dive operator in Roatán.
What are the typical current conditions and visibility like at the Palmetto Keyhole dive site?
At the Palmetto Keyhole dive site, divers can expect excellent visibility, averaging around 21 meters. The provided data does not specify typical current conditions for this site. It's always advisable to check local conditions with your dive guide before entering the water.