Explore West Bay

On the western side of the diving mecca that is Roatan, Honduras, West Bay is ideally nestled along a stretch of pristine sands bathed by warm Caribbean waters. West Bay Beach is one of the Bay Islands’ top diving hotspots, home to numerous dive centers and dive resorts, right on the seafront, offering diving trips and dive courses ranging from beginner all the way up to professional levels. 

The healthy reefs that teem with tropical species are right off the beach, close enough to both dive and swim in many parts. You can opt for shore diving or boat diving, depending on where you wish to dive. Liveaboards often visit West Bay’s best sites so you won’t miss out if you’re not staying here.

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Dive Activity

Diving in West Bay

Reef diving is excellent here, and interesting topography makes for exciting cave diving, especially at sites like Hole in the Wall, Blue Channel and Bear’s Den. Must-dive wall sites include Half Moon Bay Wall, Texas, Pablo’s Place and West End Wall. Many of the wall sites offer exhilarating drift diving too.

Wreck diving here is also possible, with two popular shipwrecks being the El Aguila and The Odyssey.

Dive Centers

Infinity Divers

Infinity Divers

Infinity Bay Resort - West Bay Beach, 34101 Roatan Island, Honduras
Warfighter Scuba

Warfighter Scuba

Sunset Ridge, 86315 Roatan, Honduras

Dive Sites

Mares
Texas (The Point) (★4.5)

Texas (The Point) (★4.5)

Most dives that are called Texas actually start closer to the Salt Life Point buoy and drift into Texas. The reason for this is that Texas is the area off of the westernmost point of the island and can be subject to strong currents. The Texas buoy itself is in 40 ft / 12 m and if there is current it will generally be pushing you off of the island and out towards the blue, so your dive can be hard work and short.
Mares, Janez Kranjc
Pablos Place (★4.5)

Pablos Place (★4.5)

Located on the western tip of the Island, this is a great drift diving site with a vertical reef wall starting at about 50ft. An east to west current gives a moderate drift for recreational divers.
Mares, Janez Kranjc
West End Wall (★4.6)

West End Wall (★4.6)

West End Wall is one of the most popular dive sites in Roatan. People come from all over the Bay Islands to dive here. It is a huge and amazing wall on the west end of Roatan, full of canyons and a huge variety of marine life. Sometimes the current can be medium to strong at the end of the dive.
Mares, Janez Kranjc
Bucca Quay (★4.6)

Bucca Quay (★4.6)

Referred to by most as West End Wall, the official name is Buca Quay. This is a great wall drift dive with side canyons, chutes, and sand falls starting off at about 66 ft / 20 m to the bottom of the wall it drops off as you head west/south.
Scubapro
Black Rock (★4.5)

Black Rock (★4.5)

A continuation of West End Wall, Black Rock also provides an outstanding dive site with numerous fissures in the reef wall. Featuring spectacular soft coral formations and giant barrel sponges, this dive site joins up with West End Wall, Texas, and Pablo’s Place.
Scubapro, Stephen Frink
Infinity Bay House Reef (★4.4)

Infinity Bay House Reef (★4.4)

Located just off West Bay, this site encompasses various dive sites, suited for beginners on the inner reef and snorkelers. A short distance away is the outer wall and greater depths.
Mares
Mandy’s Eel Garden (★4.6)

Mandy’s Eel Garden (★4.6)

Located on the prestigious West Bay Beach, Mandy’s Eel Garden starts at around 20 feet and continues towards the outer wall on the reef dropping down to the abyss.
Scubapro
Over Heat (★4.4)

Over Heat (★4.4)

A beautiful relaxing dive site, named after the patch of reef over which an old resort dive boat would overheat each day. Over Heat is one of the most favorite dive sites on Roatan.
Scubapro
Butcher’s Bank (★4.4)

Butcher’s Bank (★4.4)

Butcher’s Bank offers is so much variation, making it a firm favorite with many dive operators in the area. The line is set at the usual 40 ft / 12 m at the inner end of a coral finger running in from the outer wall.
Mares
Tabyanas (★4.5)

Tabyanas (★4.5)

Tabyana, aka “Herbie’s Fantasy or Place“ is a salt water dive site, located in West Bay, Roatan, Honduras. This dive site has an average rating of 4.50 out of 5 from 4 scuba divers. The maximum depth is 36-40ft/11-12m. The average visibility is 71-80ft/22-24m.
Mares, Janez Kranjc
Pubudus Playground (★4.3)

Pubudus Playground (★4.3)

Starting at a 10 meters/ 30ft sand patch, this dive site is a perfect place to practice navigation as it is located bit further away from the wall/drop off.
Scubapro
Pablo’s Place (★4.4)

Pablo’s Place (★4.4)

Just around the corner on the Southern tip of the island. Due to strong, unpredictable currents, a site more suitable for advanced divers. Top of reef 25 feet down the wall to 100 feet.
Mares, Janez Kranjc
Chloes Coral (★4.5)

Chloes Coral (★4.5)

Right at West Bay Beach, this shallow site with clear waters is great for beginners. Sandy area’s are mixed with coral heads for fun diverse under water views.

The best Months to Dive in West Bay

Warm temperatures rest around 27°C–30°C/81°F–86°F allowing for great diving year-round. The best time is usually April and May, when the dry season brings the best weather and ocean conditions.

The rainy season runs from around July to January, though the wettest months are between October and January. Tropical rains usually pass quickly though, and sunny days occur frequently. 

For whale shark encounters, any time of the year is possible, however February and April provide the best chances.

Top Wildlife Sightings in West Bay

It’s Caribbean species galore, from colorful hard and soft corals, macro critters, eels, octopus, stingrays, and tons of colorful reef fish, to schools of barracuda, eagle rays, turtles, reef sharks, and even whale sharks. Lucky divers might spot dolphins on occasion.

Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 200

Alamy-WaterFrame
Moray Eel

Moray Eel
912 Sightings
J
47
F
113
M
94
A
80
M
84
J
74
J
131
A
64
S
74
O
30
N
38
D
83

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 25

iStock/Juliosanjuan
Eagle Ray

Eagle Ray
853 Sightings
J
7
F
62
M
67
A
61
M
106
J
100
J
126
A
121
S
109
O
42
N
9
D
43

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 27

iStock-Global_Pics
Barracuda

Barracuda
841 Sightings
J
34
F
107
M
60
A
75
M
92
J
59
J
131
A
83
S
67
O
47
N
29
D
57
Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography
Green Turtle

Green Turtle
757 Sightings
J
41
F
106
M
84
A
63
M
62
J
48
J
120
A
80
S
32
O
40
N
16
D
65
Shutterstock-Andrey Armyagov
Hawksbill Turtle

Hawksbill Turtle
416 Sightings
J
23
F
21
M
12
A
42
M
52
J
53
J
97
A
25
S
36
O
17
N
15
D
23

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 600

iStock/ultramarinfoto
Wrasse

Wrasse
157 Sightings
J
20
F
2
M
13
A
1
M
29
J
3
J
27
A
6
S
16
O
7
N
31
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 300

Alamy/Reinhard Dirscherl
Octopus

Octopus
114 Sightings
J
11
F
8
M
7
A
11
M
8
J
12
J
11
A
11
S
9
O
4
N
12
D
10

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 100

iStock-burnsboxco
Parrotfish

Parrotfish
1.3k Sightings
J
81
F
153
M
131
A
87
M
122
J
113
J
166
A
106
S
72
O
73
N
88
D
97

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 90

Shutterstock-Rich Carey
Angelfish

Angelfish
1.2k Sightings
J
74
F
138
M
107
A
70
M
99
J
114
J
175
A
95
S
77
O
59
N
78
D
96

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 250

Shutterstock-Henry_and_Laura_Whittaker
Grouper/Basslets

Grouper/Basslets
893 Sightings
J
25
F
119
M
78
A
48
M
86
J
69
J
141
A
92
S
68
O
23
N
56
D
88

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 80

iStock/Extreme-Photographer
Stingrays

Stingrays
647 Sightings
J
47
F
48
M
40
A
63
M
95
J
72
J
106
A
51
S
46
O
21
N
17
D
41

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 12

iStock/cinoby
Lionfish

Lionfish
579 Sightings
J
43
F
53
M
59
A
42
M
46
J
34
J
107
A
53
S
24
O
19
N
49
D
50

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 130

Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek
Butterfly Fish

Butterfly Fish
531 Sightings
J
47
F
41
M
19
A
15
M
59
J
67
J
85
A
53
S
15
O
30
N
53
D
47

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 7000

iStock-Michael Zeigler
Crab

Crab
481 Sightings
J
33
F
37
M
53
A
31
M
40
J
37
J
79
A
33
S
7
O
16
N
29
D
86

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 130

AdobeStock-JirinaVFR
Pufferfish

Pufferfish
439 Sightings
J
44
F
29
M
66
A
31
M
32
J
15
J
56
A
16
S
20
O
12
N
43
D
75

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 60

iStock-Global_Pics
Spiny Lobster

Spiny Lobster
428 Sightings
J
31
F
9
M
41
A
32
M
46
J
32
J
74
A
24
S
19
O
16
N
37
D
67

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 350

Alamy-Andre Seal
Damselfish

Damselfish
297 Sightings
J
15
F
57
M
19
A
3
M
42
J
6
J
42
A
18
S
12
O
2
N
32
D
49

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 85

iStock-mirecca
Surgeonfish

Surgeonfish
291 Sightings
J
27
F
46
M
42
A
9
M
36
J
6
J
20
A
20
S
13
O
9
N
43
D
20

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3

Shutterstock_Leo Lorenzo
Trumpetfish

Trumpetfish
287 Sightings
J
23
F
28
M
34
A
13
M
28
J
15
J
54
A
16
S
3
O
13
N
23
D
37

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 110

iStock-Rainer von Brandis
Snapper

Snapper
264 Sightings
J
16
F
11
M
26
A
5
M
40
J
14
J
43
A
38
S
10
O
11
N
26
D
24

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 40

iStock-wrangel
Triggerfish

Triggerfish
223 Sightings
J
13
F
22
M
12
A
20
M
24
J
18
J
38
A
28
S
6
O
6
N
21
D
15

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 60

iStock-Global_Pics
Squirrelfish

Squirrelfish
209 Sightings
J
15
F
32
M
6
A
6
M
24
J
13
J
44
A
26
S
8
O
2
N
23
D
10

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3400

Shutterstock-Shane Gross
Shrimp

Shrimp
209 Sightings
J
18
F
18
M
32
A
0
M
28
J
13
J
56
A
23
S
4
O
4
N
7
D
6

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 120

AdobeStock-Composer.
Flounder

Flounder
207 Sightings
J
11
F
22
M
29
A
16
M
38
J
28
J
23
A
24
S
6
O
4
N
2
D
4

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 25

AdobeStock_Vladimir Wrangel
Boxfish

Boxfish
185 Sightings
J
15
F
3
M
13
A
13
M
28
J
10
J
33
A
12
S
12
O
10
N
17
D
19

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 40

iStock-Hoatzinexp
Jackfish

Jackfish
176 Sightings
J
9
F
18
M
8
A
7
M
14
J
1
J
34
A
7
S
18
O
18
N
33
D
9
Alamy-WaterFrame
Common Seahorse

Common Seahorse
167 Sightings
J
11
F
6
M
31
A
33
M
15
J
25
J
15
A
2
S
6
O
1
N
5
D
17

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 55

Shutterstock-RLS Photo
Lobster

Lobster
113 Sightings
J
26
F
22
M
6
A
2
M
7
J
6
J
15
A
6
S
2
O
1
N
1
D
19

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 90

Shutterstock-Levent Konuk
Goatfish

Goatfish
103 Sightings
J
8
F
17
M
5
A
0
M
15
J
2
J
10
A
6
S
4
O
16
N
15
D
5

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 150

Shutterstock-aquapix
Sweetlips and Grunts

Sweetlips and Grunts
102 Sightings
J
11
F
11
M
0
A
2
M
20
J
2
J
17
A
9
S
2
O
9
N
5
D
14

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 30

Shutterstock-s_a_j
Sand Eel

Sand Eel
83 Sightings
J
6
F
3
M
12
A
13
M
23
J
12
J
13
A
0
S
0
O
1
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 300

Shutterstock_DiveIvanov
Squid

Squid
53 Sightings
J
7
F
1
M
0
A
9
M
4
J
4
J
19
A
5
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
4

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 60

iStock-Global_Pics
Soldierfish

Soldierfish
48 Sightings
J
12
F
1
M
3
A
2
M
10
J
2
J
1
A
5
S
4
O
3
N
1
D
4

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 8

Alamy-Reinhard Dirscherl
Bannerfish

Bannerfish
42 Sightings
J
5
F
6
M
6
A
6
M
6
J
0
J
2
A
4
S
0
O
5
N
0
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 28

Udo Kefrig
Clownfish

Clownfish
41 Sightings
J
1
F
1
M
3
A
2
M
8
J
1
J
13
A
0
S
0
O
2
N
1
D
9

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 250

iStock-Miguel-Angelo-Silva.
Scorpionfish

Scorpionfish
36 Sightings
J
0
F
15
M
3
A
6
M
2
J
1
J
0
A
1
S
1
O
0
N
6
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 20

iStock-stephankerkhofs
Porcupinefish

Porcupinefish
35 Sightings
J
8
F
0
M
11
A
0
M
2
J
0
J
0
A
1
S
1
O
1
N
9
D
2