About Aaron's Backyard
Aaron's Backyard is a noted dive site within the Roatan Marine Park in Honduras, part of the extensive Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System. This region is internationally recognized for its vibrant reef ecosystems, which offer exceptional marine diversity. The topography of the Bay Islands, including sites like Aaron's Backyard, typically features dramatic sheer walls, shallow coral gardens, and intricate passages. These structures are often adorned with lush corals and sponges, creating varied habitats for marine life. Dives here generally range from 9 meters to 40 meters in depth, accommodating different experience levels. Divers frequently encounter a rich array of Caribbean species, from iridescent fish to larger creatures like turtles, sharks, and rays. The waters are also home to massive barrel sponges and captivating macro critters. The site specifically highlights the presence of pillar corals, which are closely monitored by conservation efforts in the area. Liveaboard trips to the Bay Islands, including potential visits to Aaron's Backyard, offer up to five dives per day, including night dives, allowing for thorough exploration. Water temperatures are consistently warm, making for comfortable diving. The region's diverse underwater landscape ensures a rewarding experience for divers.
Highlights
Pillar coral sightingsSheer walls and drop-offsDiverse Caribbean reef fishMassive barrel spongesCaptivating macro crittersHawksbill turtles
Best Season
The Bay Islands of Honduras can be dived all year long, benefiting from a pleasant, consistent tropical climate. Water temperatures remain warm, typically between 27-31°C, ensuring comfortable diving conditions. Visibility generally ranges from 24-45 meters, though it may decrease slightly during the rainy season from October to January.
Dive site facts: Aaron's Backyard
- Depth
- 9–40 m
- Current
- Moderate
- Entry
- Liveaboard or dayboat
- Level
- Intermediate
- Dive type
- Reef, Reef
- Region / port
- Honduras
- Coordinates
- 16.3078° N, 86.5450° W
Conditions & Currents
Diving in the Roatan area, including sites like Aaron's Backyard, often features minimal to moderate currents, making for generally relaxed conditions. The Bay Islands are known for offering "warm, effortless, Caribbean diving." Dives are typically conducted from liveaboards or day boats, allowing for flexible entry methods. Water temperatures are consistently warm, ranging from 25-28°C in summer and 24-27°C in winter, with only occasional drops to 22°C in January, meaning thermoclines are not a major concern. Visibility is generally excellent, often between 24 and 45 meters. These favorable conditions make the area accessible for a wide range of diver certification levels, though deep wall dives may require advanced experience and gas planning.
Why dive Aaron's Backyard from a liveaboard?
Aaron's Backyard is one of Honduras's signature dive sites. A liveaboard sleeps you on the water and puts you in the water for three to four guided dives per day, including dawn and night dives that day-boat operators rarely offer. You skip the daily commute back to port and reach quieter, less-crowded sites in the same region on a single trip.
Below are the liveaboards that include Aaron's Backyard on their Honduras itineraries.
Liveaboards diving Aaron's Backyard
These liveaboards may visit Aaron's Backyard on selected itineraries — the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.
Roatan Aggressor
Honduras
18 guests31.1 m
$309/day
Dive sites similar to Aaron's Backyard
Same character, same waters — six more sites divers love for the exact same reasons.Compare seasons, access and liveaboard routes — then pick the site that fits your trip best.
© Esri — Maxar, Earthstar, GIS
Satoshi’s Grave
Honduras
Satoshi’s Grave is a distinctive wreck site located on the southern shore of Roatan, specifically the Wreck of Mr. Bud.
- Suitable for
- Beginner
- Current
- Moderate
- Access
- Liveaboard or dayboat
- Depth
- 18–18 m
- Theme
- Wreck / Reef
© Esri — Maxar, Earthstar, GIS
Butcher's Bank
Honduras
Butcher's Bank is a celebrated dive site in Roatan, Honduras, widely regarded as one of the island's most enjoyable locations, particularly for novice divers.
- Suitable for
- Beginner
- Current
- Mild
- Access
- Dayboat
- Depth
- 12–18 m
- Theme
- Reef
© Esri — Maxar, Earthstar, GIS
Wreck of the Aguila
Honduras
The Wreck of the Aguila, affectionately known as 'The Eagle,' is a 60-meter (200-foot) cargo ship purposefully sunk in 1997 to create an artificial reef within recreational diving limits.
- Suitable for
- Intermediate
- Current
- Mild
- Access
- Dayboat
- Depth
- 20–33 m
- Theme
- Wreck / Reef
© Esri — Maxar, Earthstar, GIS
Al's Garden
Honduras
Al's Garden is a notable dive site located in Roatan, part of Honduras's Bay Islands, a region renowned for its vibrant underwater topography and diverse marine ecosystems.
- Suitable for
- Intermediate
- Current
- Moderate
- Access
- Liveaboard or dayboat
- Depth
- 9–40 m
- Theme
- Reef
Roatán, part of the Bay Islands of Honduras, offers a diverse underwater landscape situated along the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, which is the second largest barrier reef globally.
- Suitable for
- Intermediate
- Current
- Moderate
- Access
- Liveaboard or dayboat
- Depth
- 9–40 m
- Theme
- Reef
© Esri — Maxar, Earthstar, GIS
Jack Neil Bight
Honduras
Jack Neil Bight is a notable dive site located on the south side of Utila, Honduras, part of the Bay Islands archipelago, known for its calm conditions and diverse underwater scenery.
- Suitable for
- Beginner
- Current
- Mild
- Access
- Dayboat
- Depth
- 2–40 m
- Theme
- Reef / Wall