Turtle Crossing Deep - Roatán

Farikede in Vaavu Atoll delivers a proper drift dive along a deep wall, making it one for divers comfortable with a bit of pace. We often find the current here can be pretty brisk, so you'll want to be on your game. That strong push, though, is what brings in the larger visitors. Keep an eye out into the blue for tiger sharks cruising past, and we've spotted thresher sharks and even oceanic manta rays here before. Visibility usually sits around 24 metres, giving you a good view of the action unfolding.

Location
Roatán, Honduras, Central America
Coordinates
16.293500, -86.603700
Type
drift
Difficulty
advanced

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 Turtle Crossing Deep

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 Turtle Crossing Deep

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 Turtle Crossing Deep?
At Turtle Crossing Deep, divers typically explore plateaus between 20 and 40 feet, adorned with beautiful coral structures. While the maximum depth for the main dive profile is 21m, the site features coral channels that lead to a dramatic drop-off to about 120 feet. This offers a diverse depth experience for advanced divers.
What kind of marine life and coral formations can divers expect to see at Turtle Crossing Deep?
Turtle Crossing Deep is renowned for its incredible concentration of sea turtles, with as many as 30 turtles observed during a single dive, making it a prime spot for wildlife encounters. Beyond the abundant turtles, divers can expect to see beautiful coral structures, extensive reef formations, and huge sponges scattered throughout the site.
How challenging is the Turtle Crossing Deep dive site, and is it suitable for beginner divers?
Turtle Crossing Deep is classified as an advanced dive site due to its characteristics. It is a drift dive, which typically involves currents and requires more experience in buoyancy control and navigation. Therefore, it is not suitable for beginner divers.
When is the best time of year or day to dive Turtle Crossing Deep for optimal conditions and turtle sightings?
The provided data for Turtle Crossing Deep does not specify the best time of year or day for optimal conditions or peak turtle sightings. However, Roatán generally offers good diving conditions year-round. For more general information on dive seasons, you can visit our When to Dive section.
What scuba diving certifications are required to dive at Turtle Crossing Deep?
Given that Turtle Crossing Deep is designated as an advanced dive site, specific certifications beyond Open Water Diver are typically recommended or required. While the exact certifications are not detailed in the provided data, divers should generally possess an advanced certification, such as Advanced Open Water Diver, and experience with drift diving.
What are the typical current conditions and visibility like at the Turtle Crossing Deep dive site?
Turtle Crossing Deep is characterized as a drift dive, indicating that divers can expect typical current conditions that facilitate this type of diving. The average visibility at this site is excellent, typically around 22 meters, offering clear views of the abundant marine life and coral formations.