Best Diving in Roatan: Know Before you Go

1. How far is Blue Island Divers from the West End?

We are located about a 10-15 minute drive from the West End area, if you’d like to see live music, grab a cocktail, shop for souvenirs, or snorkel in Half Moon Bay.

2. How far is Blue Island Divers from Roatan RTB airport?

We are located a 10 minute drive from Roatan airport. If you are looking for a Roatan Dive center or resort close to Roatan airport, look no further!

3. How should I get to Blue Island Divers dive resort in Sandy Bay from Roatan Airport?

To get to Blue Island Divers from the airport, we will be happy to arrange a driver to meet you at the airport and if you would like to stop at the grocery store on the way, it’s included! Airport pickup is included in your Stay & Dive package, or you can book it with us by request. To arrange your own transportation, hail a taxi and ask for Blue Island DIvers in Sandy Bay. You can also say “Salty Mango,” the former name of our restaurant on site which is well known by taxi drivers.

4. Is it possible to get around Roatan without a rental car?

It is easy to get around Roatan without a car! You can hail a shared taxi on the main road, usually getting picked up in 5 minutes or less, or book private transportation ahead of time if you prefer not to share your cab ride. Public buses or “colectivos” are also available.

5. Is there good internet at the dive center? Can I work remotely?

We have high speed wifi available in all rental units and across the property. Island connectivity is not always reliable however, and outages could be possible.

6. Will my cell phone work?

Many guests choose to pay their home providers a daily fee for international service, which will work in Honduras. To save money, you can buy a local data package as well. Honduran local SIM cards are available for purchase for around $5 at any “Pulperia,” or at the mobile phone store located near Ramirez market.

7. Where can I rent a scooter or car?

For car rental, we have a private company we can set you up with. They will meet you at the airport or bring a car to you at Blue Island Divers. RoaCar is another great option. We do not recommend renting a scooter in Roatan, due to the condition of the roads.

8. Is Roatan safe for tourists?

Roatan, Honduras is very safe for tourists. Blue Island DIvers keeps a night watchman on site every evening, and a security guard on premises on Sundays when the dive center is closed. While Roatan is generally very safe, incidents of robbery have happened, and it is best to use caution. We do not recommend walking alone in secluded areas after sunset, or along the beach at night.

1. What should I bring on the day of my dives?

Come ready to dive! Bring any personal dive gear you’d like to use, your dive logbook to register your dives, a towel, and dry clothes to change into afterwards. You will leave your personal items in a locker and board the boat with your dive gear only.

2. How deep will my dives be?

Your certification level will determine the depth of your dives. Uncertified Try Scuba diver and Scuba Diver certified divers can go to a maximum depth of 40 feet/ 12 meters. Open Water divers max depth is 60 feet/ 18 meters, and for Advanced Open Water divers, 100 feet/30 meters.

Maximum depths for children are as follows:

• Bubblemaker: 8-9 years old, maximum 6 feet/ 2 meters

• Junior Open Water (10-14 years old): 10-11 years old: must dive with a certified parent/guardian or PADI Professional to 40 feet/ 12 meters maximum

• 12-14 years old: 60 feet/18 meters maximum, with possibility for additional certification up to 70 feet/ 21 meters

• Junior certifications convert to regular certifications at age 15, with the same depth guidelines as adults

3. Is it recommended to use Nitrox?

Nitrox is available on site for additional charge, to EANx certified divers. (Please notify us at least 24 hours before your dives). We offer Nitrox certification courses as well if you would like to become a Nitrox diver. It is considered the safest breathing gas for scuba diving.

4. What kind of boat do we dive from?

Our boats are comfortable 25 foot fiberglass dive boats with updated 200 horsepower Evinrude engines, each with capacity of up to 8 divers or 12 snorkelers and 2 crew.

5. How will we get to the dive sites/ how much time will we spend on the boats?

Most of our dive sites are located between 5 and 10 minutes away by boat. The total time for a one tank dive, from the time you leave the dive center until the time you return is approximately 1.5 hours, with a dive time of 55 minutes. If we are going to a special dive site that is farther away, we will often plan a 2-tank dive to save on boat time. If you have any special requests for dive sites just let us know!

6. How long do I need to wait after diving before I take a flight?

For your safety, your last dive should end at least 24 hours before you fly. If you have a flight the next day after you dive, please be sure to tell us your flight schedule so we can make sure to end your dives on time.

7. Can I dive with PADI, SSI, CMAS, NAUI, or other professional dive certifications?

Yes, if you hold a certification of open water diver or higher and can prove your certification, you can dive with us.

8. Do I need my PADI or SSI certification card?

We are able to verify certified divers within our system using your name and birth date. It is ok if you forget or choose not to bring your certification card. A photo of your card will also suffice.

9. What is the maximum dive time and pressure for dives you lead?

Dives will have a maximum dive time around 55 minutes, and begin an ascent to the safety stop when the first diver in your group reaches 700 psi of remaining pressure.

10. How many divers per divemaster and students per instructor?

We always keep group sizes small, to ensure diver safety and a great diving experience for everyone. Courses are limited by SSI and PADI guidelines. FOr certified divers, we limit groups to 8 divers per divemaster.

11. What kind of equipment is available?

Almost all dives you book with us include scuba equipment rental: BCD, regulator, mask and fins. Dive lights are available to rent for $30. We do not rent dive computers but we do lend them to course students while they complete relevant course units. We recommend that all divers purchase their own computer. We have both computers and torches available for sale. For the 20-dive package base price, divers must bring their own gear. 20-dive customers wishing to rent gear should select the gear rental add-on in checkout.

1. What is the best time of year to come for weather and visibility?

Diving visibility here is generally very good but can vary day to day based on current and wind conditions. It does not vary significantly based on season.

2. What is the water temperature?

The water temperature here is usually between 79 and 84℉.

1. What should I bring on the day of my snorkeling trip?

All you need is yourself and a towel, snorkel gear is included but feel free to bring your personal mask, snorkel and fins. Come ready to jump in the water! You’ll arrive at your first snorkeling site after a short boat ride. Apply reef safe sunblock* at least 30 minutes before you enter the water, as sunscreen chemicals are harmful to our coral reefs.

* Key ingredients to avoid are Oxybenzone and Octinoxate. Additionally, look out for Benzophenone-1, Benzophenone-8, OD-PABA, 4-Methylbenzylidene camphor, 3-Benzylidene camphor, and Octocrylene. These can affect corals’ reproductive cycle, damage DNA, and worsen the effects of coral bleaching. The only sunscreens that are truly reef safe contain Zinc and other mineral ingredients only.

2. What if I can’t swim?

You should be comfortable in the water. Life jackets are available for your safety, as snorkeling conditions usually include current, and water in which it is too deep to stand. If you are a nervous swimmer and would like a "skin diving" snorkeling lesson to help you prepare, please inquire in the dive center in advance of your trip. If you are completely unable to swim or float, snorkeling is likely not a safe choice of activity for you.

1. What should I bring on the day of my course?

Come on the day of your dive course ready to dive! You will start water skills after your first land lesson, and dives will begin after a short boat ride. Apply reef safe sunblock at least 30 minutes before your dive. Bring any personal dive gear you’d like to use, your dive logbook, and dry clothes to change into afterwards.

2. What if I can’t swim?

Before beginning the course, all Open Water students should be able to swim 300 meters with a mask, snorkel and fins and float or swim comfortably for 10 minutes with no swim aids. (In place of the 300m swim, you can choose to swim 200 meters without any swim aids.) Being comfortable in the water is a must. If you are not a confident swimmer, we advise you try to gain some water experience before scuba diving.

Discover Scuba Diving does not require swimming skills, although it is still recommended you be comfortable in the water.

3. What will my certification cost if I started my course at another dive center/location?

Blue Island Divers offers an Open Water Referral, which enables you to finish an Open Water course begun elsewhere. If you have already completed your confined water dives and e-learning, the cost to complete your course with us is $300.

4. Can I skip some parts of my course, in order to get to diving faster?

In order to complete your certification, you must complete all skills and lessons included in the course. If you have already completed some portions of your course with another instructor, we will need a referral which confirms this. If you have the skills but not a referral, not to worry, when you demonstrate you are able to complete the skills we will be able to sign you off on them very quickly and move on!

5. Can I complete my course in my language?

Blue Island Divers offers instruction in English, Spanish, and French.

Cruise Package Cancellation Policy

If your ship does not come into port you will receive a full refund.

Dive, Snorkel and Course Cancellation Policy

If dives are cancelled by the dive center, because of extreme weather or any other reason, you will receive a full refund.

While diving a package or course, you can move your dive or course sessions to different dates for no charge, although we ask for 24-hour notice.

• If you no-show a course session for which an instructor has been assigned, you will be charged.

• If you no-show a dive for which staff has already prepared your tank and equipment, you will be charged.

3 week or more notice of cancellation - full refund

1 to 2 week notice - 1/2 refund

Within 1 week, no show or cancel - no refund. We realize that emergencies and last minute things happen. If you have a documented medical emergency, please contact us and we will review on a case-by-case basis.

Private Boat Cancellation Policy

3 week or more notice of cancellation - full refund

1 to 2 week notice - 1/2 refund

Within 1 week, no show or cancel - no refund. We realize that emergencies and last minute things happen but we hope our guests recognize that they have reserved one of our boats for several hours. With this reservation, we have turned other guests away and a last minute cancellation affects the pay of our staff which live off tourism.

Accommodation Cancellation Policy

60 days or more to arrival - full refund

30-59 days to arrival - 1/2 refund

Under 30 days to arrival: No refund, but we will be happy to move your reservation to different dates one time within 6 months. We realize that emergencies and last minute things happen, but we hope our guests recognize that they have reserved one of our units, therefore making it unavailable for others. With your reservation we have possibly turned other guests away and a last minute cancellation affects the pay of our staff.