Hello friends, my name is Patrick and I have the privilege of being one of the brand ambassadors with Toronto Scuba Centre and Scuba Getaway. I am an active instructor with TSC and also a dive trip leader for Scuba Getaway. I am excited to be one of the dive trip leaders for Roatan (2023). I have previously led a Scuba Getaway liveaboard trip to the Galapagos Islands (2019) and have also had the good fortune to travel to many international destinations with Toronto Scuba Centre and Scuba Getaway. While I have traveled to some exotic, bucket list locations (including Galapagos, Raja Ampat, Philippines) The Bay Islands, which includes Roatan, will always hold a special place for me.
Roatan, the largest of the Bay Islands of Honduras located approximately 30 miles off the northern coast of the mainland, is a top destination for scuba diving due to its stunning coral reefs and diversity of marine life. The island is part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, which is the second-largest coral reef system in the world. Roatan is surrounded by a marine park that stretches 12 nautical miles off the coast which protects over 47,000 hectares of surface area and reef. This marine park provides a home to rich and diverse marine life, including numerous types of soft corals and fans, many species of tropical fish, turtles, rays, reef and nurse sharks and even the occasional dolphin or whale shark!
The island has an absolute treasure trove of dive sites incredibly close to our resort spanning everything from beautiful coral covered walls, gorgeous swim throughs, and even a couple of purpose sunk shipwrecks! I personally have experienced almost 75 dives in the Bay Islands area and I have never been disappointed. Water temperature during our visit to Roatan will be between 27C to 28C or if you measure water temperature properly the way I do that means between 80F and 83F. Comfort in the water is a very personal thing but with numerous days of diving I will usually recommend a 5mm wetsuit for thermal protection. This will provide more than adequate warmth for almost everyone and also has the added benefit of providing protection for a beautiful night dive! Although many of us are looking forward to the underwater portion of the trip, it must also be mentioned that air temperatures should be in the low 30s celsius (Yes, I use Fahrenheit underwater and Celsius when on land!) with 10+ hours of sun most days. This will provide ample opportunity to dry off from diving and enjoy the beach, perhaps with an umbrella drink!
Roatan is a world-class destination for scuba diving. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced diver the island offers a unique underwater experience with its diverse marine life, vibrant coral formations, and stunning diving sites. So pack your dive gear, grab your passport, and lets head to Roatan for an unforgettable Scuba Getaway!
Yay Diving!
Patrick Sweitzer (TSC Instructor)
