Dive Site: Anka’s Place

About Anka’s Place

Anka’s Place is a dive site located on Roatan, one of the Bay Islands of Honduras, which forms part of the second largest barrier reef system globally, the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. This site, like many on Roatan's south shore, is characterized by healthy hard and soft corals that thrive in nutrient-rich waters. The topography typically features a vibrant reef structure that gradually descends, leading to impressive wall sections. Divers can navigate along these formations, observing the intricate details of the reef and its inhabitants. Maximum depths can extend to around 30 meters, with shallower sections providing ample exploration opportunities. Marine life at Anka's Place is consistently abundant, showcasing a wide array of reef fish, various rays, and the occasional sea turtle. During the dry season from March to October, visibility often exceeds 30 meters, enhancing the viewing of these creatures. The wet season, from November to February, can bring larger schools of fish and marine life despite potential rain. Diving at Anka's Place often involves boat access, with options for stationary entries where you return to the mooring line, or drift dives depending on conditions. The site is suitable for divers of various levels, offering both shallow reef exploration and deeper wall sections, ensuring a rich and engaging dive experience.

Dive site facts: Anka’s Place

Depth

3–30 m

Current

Gentle to mild

Visibility

18–36 m

Water temperature

22–29 °C

Entry

Boat / Live drop

Level

Open Water Diver to Advanced

Dive type

Reef, wall, drift

Night dive

Possible

Region / port

Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras

Coordinates

16.3134° N, 86.5176° W

Conditions & Currents

Currents at Anka's Place, particularly on the south shore of Roatan, are generally gentle, though specific conditions can vary by day and tidal influence. Some sites on Roatan offer the possibility of drift diving, suggesting that currents can be present enough to facilitate this, but are not typically strong or unpredictable. Divers can expect stationary entries at many sites, returning to the mooring line, while others may involve a live drop for a one-way drift. Visibility is consistently good, often ranging from 18 to 30 meters or better year-round, with the dry season bringing even clearer conditions, potentially up to 36 meters. Water temperatures remain warm, between 24-29°C, throughout the year, with a slight drop in January to around 22°C. These conditions make the site accessible to most divers, though good buoyancy control is always essential to protect the fragile reef.

Marine life & sighting chances

Parrotfish

common

Angelfish

common

Butterflyfish

common

Moray eels

occasional

Sea turtles

occasional

Rays

occasional

Reef sharks

occasional

Barracudas

occasional

Groupers

occasional

Schools of jacks

occasional

Squid

occasional

Octopus

occasional

Seahorses

occasional

Nudibranchs

occasional

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Diving at Anka’s Place typically begins with a boat entry, often close to the main reef structure. The dive typically follows a gentle slope or the edge of a wall, starting in shallower waters around 3 meters and descending to maximum recreational depths of 30 meters. Divers can explore the intricate canyon walls and coral gardens, observing both macro and larger reef life. The dive route allows for navigating in and out of the reef topography. Progression is usually multi-level, aiming to spend more time in shallower, colorful areas. The turn point is determined by air consumption and bottom time limits, with ascent generally beginning once half of the air supply or no-decompression limit is approached. A safety stop of 3 to 5 minutes is conducted at 5 meters before surfacing, often near the boat’s mooring line for sites with stationary entry.

Underwater photography

Anka’s Place offers excellent opportunities for both wide-angle and macro photography due to its diverse topography and abundant marine life. For wide-angle shots, consider capturing the expansive coral walls and canyons, especially with the excellent visibility that often exceeds 30 meters. A wide-angle lens with an external strobe will help illuminate the vibrant colors of the corals and sponges, ensuring your images pop. For macro subjects like nudibranchs, seahorses, and smaller reef creatures, a macro lens is essential. Pay close attention to buoyancy to avoid disturbing the delicate reef. When photographing marine life, maintain a respectful distance and avoid harassing or chasing subjects to capture the perfect shot.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• Hole in the Wall

  Hole in the Wall is a celebrated dive site in Roatan, part of the extensive Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, which is the second-largest…

• Toon Town

  Toon Town is a distinctive dive site located within the Cayos Cochinos archipelago, which forms part of Honduras' Bay Islands.

• Black Coral Wall

  Black Coral I and II are prominent dive sites within Cuba's renowned Jardines de la Reina marine reserve, an area celebrated for its…

• Odyssey

  The Odyssey is a significant artificial reef located off Roatan's northern coast in Honduras, deliberately sunk in 2002 after sustaining…

• Coral Garden

  Coral Garden is a significant dive site in the Dominican Republic, featuring an impressive brain coral that has thrived for over 400 years…

• Marie's Kitchen

  Marie's Kitchen is a dive site located around the Bay Islands of Honduras.

Getting there & logistics

Access to Anka's Place is typically via dive boats operating from resorts and dive centers on Roatan. The main international airport for Roatan is Juan Manuel Gálvez International Airport (RTB), with direct flights available from cities like Atlanta and Houston. Many dive packages include airport transfers. Dive trips usually involve a short boat ride to the site. Most dive operators in Roatan offer two-tank morning dives, departing around 9:00 AM and returning by midday, with single-tank afternoon dives available around 2:00 PM. Visitors are required to purchase a Roatan Marine Park Fee Bracelet for $10.00 annually, which contributes to reef protection. Liveaboard options are less common in Roatan compared to land-based resort diving, with most itineraries focusing on day trips to various sites.

Safety & environment

Diving in Roatan, including at Anka’s Place, adheres to standard safety protocols with dive professionals guiding groups and tailoring profiles to diver experience. Roatan has a recompression chamber, located in Coxen Hole, which is a critical resource for decompression illness incidents, though specific evacuation realities depend on location on the island and severity. Divers should always carry personal dive insurance covering dive-related medical emergencies and evacuations. Site-specific hazards include potential mild currents, which are generally manageable but require awareness, and the typical marine life that should not be touched. Adherence to the Responsible Diver Code is paramount: practice good buoyancy, avoid touching corals, and do not harass marine life or disturb the sand. Always dive within your certification limits and follow your dive guide's instructions.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Anka’s Place FAQ

Liveaboards diving Anka’s Place

These liveaboards may visit Anka’s Place on selected itineraries — the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.

Roatan Aggressor

Honduras

18 guests31.1 m

$309/day