360 Divers offers an unparalleled fusion of education and entertainment, delivering an immersive experience that transports users on a virtual odyssey to explore some of the Caribbean’s finest dive sites. This innovative application with Virtual Reality technology empowers users to embark on underwater adventures from the comfort of their own homes, schools, dive centers…
The pioneering platform will be capturing breathtaking 360° views of underwater landscapes, shipwrecks, and vibrant dive sites across the underwater world. Dive into a new era of underwater exploration with 360Divers! Check out our 360 videos and VRs also on our partner site roatandivesites.com.
BEST ROATAN DIVE SITES
BLUE CHANNEL
Running from 10ft. deep at the top of the gently sloping wall to 45ft., good buoyancy control is required to prevent scraping the coral. At the entrance of the channel keep your eyes open for fireworms, large feather dusters, lobsters and the resident green moray eels and pipefish that have made the corals their home.
Following the wall towards the reef, you’ll come across damselfish, grunts, tangs, goatfish, juvenile spotted drumfish, barracudas, snappers, triggerfish, and juvenile groupers.
A network of swim-throughs along the south wall, and lively overhangs along the north wall allows us to choose between different routes and explore the site extensively.
The southern wall, in addition, houses several caves, and enormous schools of silversides are known to migrate through it during the fall months of August and September, sometimes so densely packed that visibility is only a few feet long.
CARA A CARA (SHARK DIVE)
The dive starts in a stationary position on the sandy bottom, and the Divemaster will bring a bucket of frozen fish that will be closed at the beginning. Depending on the current, there may be an opportunity to swim with the sharks.
Keep an eye out for the pristine coral, large barrel sponges, black groupers, and green moray eels. You may even spot some shark teeth in the sand, which could make a unique souvenir.
The sharks can measure 5ft to 7ft in length and have a lifespan of around 30 years. The maximum depth is 22mtrs/75ft, and the bottom time is 30-35 minutes.
EL AGUILA (SHIPWRECK)
After being underwater for many years, the ship was brought back up to the harbor by Rocky Jones of Utila, only to be dragged back onto the reef again by a storm, after which it was salvaged a second time and intentionally partially submerged to prevent further storm damage.
El Aguila is one of three main shipwreck dive sites off Roatan’s coast. El Aguila is 75 meters (230 feet) long and broken into three pieces (due to 1998’s Hurricane Mitch) providing plenty of area and many nooks and crannies for divers to explore. Situated at 110′ deep and a short ride away from Sandy Bay.
AKR purchased the ship while searching for a new wreck site for divers, as the common wooden-hulled wrecks of the time were starting to deteriorate and disappear. It took the team 5 weeks between purchasing, cleaning, towing, and finally sinking the ship in its current location in 1997.
WEST END WALL
Suitable for snorkelers too, southern stingrays and spotted eagle rays are often seen by divers here, where the base of the wall provides a perfect environment for their hunting grounds.
The reef’s crest is knit with plenty of stony coral and gorgonians (sea fans), cutting down the face of the wall. The base of the wall, 90ft. below, is also lined with coral outcroppings, leveling out into a sandy bottom that slopes downward.
ODYSSEY (SHIPWRECK)
The Odyssey wreck sits 110 feet under the surface. The center section of the ship has collapsed, but the bow remains tall and upright–providing scenic views of the surrounding reef wall, a nearby sand patch, and the rest of the ship.
Holes for divers have been cut into the sides of the ship, but to explore inside an underwater flashlight is required. Schools of large grouper, barracuda, tuna, and sharks have often been seen surrounding the wreck by divers. It is impossible to explore the entire wreck in its multi-level enormity in a single dive.
The Odyssey was donated by the Hydes of Hybur Limited after a devastating fire damaged the freighter during a rebuilding. The ship was cleaned, prepared, and finally sank after government approval with help from several dive operators and volunteers around the island. 50 truckloads of debris later, the ship was made safe for divers by welding incredibly heavy hatch covers to the ship’s frame, strengthening it to deter future collapse.
DIXIE'S PLACE
The reef gently slopes down from the crest, beginning at points along the iron shore coast and reaching a depth of 40ft where it meets the edge of the wall.
The upper part of the reef face features large sand patches at varying depths, alongside sand channels that run perpendicular to the coast. Dixies Dive is a fantastic location for both diving and snorkeling.
OVERHEAT REEF
Overheat Reef is a dive site in Roatán, known for its impressive marine biodiversity. The reef is home to a wide variety of hard and soft corals, as well as abundant marine life, including tropical fish, lobsters, rays, and occasionally reef sharks.
The reef is relatively close to the shore and offers different depth levels, making it suitable for both beginner and advanced divers. Thanks to gentle currents and good visibility, Overheat Reef is an ideal spot for a calm dive while exploring marine life.
FISH DEN
Fish Den is a popular dive site located on Roatan Island's southern coast. The site is known for its abundant marine life, including a variety of colorful reef fish, lobsters, eels, and octopuses.
The depth of the site ranges from 15 to 80 feet, making it suitable for both beginner and experienced divers.
The dive site gets its name from a large crevice in the reef that serves as a home to numerous fish.
Divers can explore the crevice and observe the fish up close, including schools of grunt and snapper, as well as larger fish like barracuda and jacks. The crevice is also home to some smaller creatures such as cleaner shrimp, arrow crabs, and juvenile fish.
The site is accessed by boat and typically has moderate currents, which can make for some exciting drift dives. It's a great location for underwater photography and videography, with plenty of interesting subjects to capture.
Overall, Fish Den is a popular and exciting dive site that showcases the beauty and diversity of Roatan's underwater world.
SEA QUEST (SHALLOW)
This is an excellent location for both snorkelers and divers seeking long bottom times. Two buoys at 20 ft on a band of sand near the reef crest serve as ideal entry points. Here, divers can observe the Lizardfish up-close as it buries itself in preparation to ambush its prey.
As you move seaward, the upper part of the reef face has a depth shallower than 15 ft. This area is colonized with Blade Fire coral and Elk Horn coral, and the reef almost touches the surface. As the face drops down to 40 ft, it meets a wide sandy bottom that continues out to sea. The wall has several crevices and a cavern, where divers can spot the elusive Channel Clinging Crab.
The area is also home to the Porcupine fish, and you can find groupings of Yellow Jawfish, Sea Plume, and Slimy Sea Plume that live in the sand. Snorkelers will enjoy the shallow depths, while divers can explore the area for a longer bottom time.
Overall, this dive site offers a unique experience for both snorkelers and divers. With the chance to observe Lizardfish, Channel Clinging Crab, Porcupine fish, and a variety of marine life, it's an excellent location to explore and enjoy the beautiful reef ecosystem of Roatan Island.
PABLO'S PLACE
Pablo's Place is a popular drift diving spot for enthusiasts on Roatan Island. It is located near Flowers Bay, on the western tip of the island. The dive site features a stunning vertical reef wall that descends almost indefinitely, beginning at around 50 feet below the surface. The current flows from east to west and is usually light to moderate, making it ideal for recreational drift diving.
Schools of barracuda, eagle rays, triggerfish, trumpet fish, dog snapper, and yellowtail snapper are commonly seen swimming around the wall, while colonies of black coral and big barrel sponges line its sides. It is also not uncommon to spot green moray eels, nurse sharks, reef sharks, whale sharks, and even hammerhead sharks on occasion.
Our experienced dive instructors recommend diving in the early to mid-morning, as this is when the sun illuminates the wall to create a breathtaking spectacle. Additionally, for certified lionfish hunters, this is an excellent spot to start. Roatan Marine Park encourages the hunting of this invasive species and can provide further information on the topic.
Overall, Pablo's Place is a must-visit for anyone interested in drift diving on Roatan Island. The diverse marine life and stunning underwater landscape are sure to leave a lasting impression.
This remarkable website and application will soon be available for download on the Apple App Store, Google Play, and the Windows Store, catering to both iOS and Android users while the online desktop version is already accessible at www.360divers.com
In summary, 360° Divers is a groundbreaking virtual reality application that offers users an immersive and educational voyage through the mesmerizing underwater realm.
