About The Cave
The Cave is a unique dive site found on the south side's iron shore in West Bay, Roatán, Honduras. It is characterized as a beautiful open cavern, part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef system. This location is particularly notable for its distinct geological features, providing a specific type of cavern diving experience within the region's rich marine environment. Diving at The Cave begins on a top reef adorned with stunning Elkhorn corals, which guides divers towards a dramatic drop-off. This allows for exploration to various depths. The site offers both wall diving opportunities and access to the cavern itself, requiring divers to navigate its structures. A dive light is a recommended piece of equipment for exploring the interior sections of the cavern. While specific seasonal details for The Cave's marine life are not provided, the broader Roatán area is known for an abundance of marine species. Common sightings at this particular site include sharks, whales, dolphins, and sea turtles, indicating a healthy ecosystem. The site's diverse topography, including the coral-rich reef and deeper wall, supports a variety of fish and other aquatic life. The site is accessible via boat entry and is suitable for certified divers, including those with Open Water and Advanced Open Water certifications. Specialized training like the PADI Cavern Diver course is also relevant for maximizing the experience within the cave environment. The maximum depth for recreational diving at this site is around 9 meters (30 feet), making it approachable for various skill levels.
Highlights
Open cavern explorationElkhorn coral reefSouth side iron shoreWall drop-offShark encountersDolphin sightingsSea turtle presence
Best Season
Roatán experiences a pleasant, tropical climate year-round with little temperature fluctuation. Water temperatures typically range from 27 to 31°C, and visibility is generally excellent, often between 24 and 45 meters. The rainy season, which might slightly diminish visibility, occurs from October to January, suggesting that other months offer optimal conditions.
Dive site facts: The Cave
- Depth
- 0–9 m
- Current
- Moderate
- Entry
- Liveaboard or dayboat
- Level
- Beginner
- Dive type
- Cave & cavern, Reef
- Region / port
- Honduras
- Coordinates
- 16.3107° N, 86.5816° W
Conditions & Currents
The Roatán area, particularly the south shore where The Cave is located, can experience stronger currents and breezes throughout much of the year compared to the calmer north side. However, specific current information for The Cave itself is not detailed, so divers should be prepared for potential moderate water movement. Entry to this site is typically by boat. Divers should always consult with local dive professionals regarding prevailing conditions on the day of the dive, as current strength and visibility can vary. Due to the open cave and wall features, a dive light is suggested equipment. Given the maximum depth of 9 meters (30 feet), it's considered accessible for Open Water divers, but those with Advanced Open Water or Cavern Diver training may find it more engaging.
Why dive The Cave from a liveaboard?
The Cave 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 The Cave on their Honduras itineraries.
Liveaboards diving The Cave
These liveaboards may visit The Cave on selected itineraries — the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.
Roatan Aggressor
Honduras
18 guests31.1 m
$309/day
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© Esri — Maxar, Earthstar, GIS
Satoshi’s Grave
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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
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- Liveaboard or dayboat
- Depth
- 18–18 m
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Addie's Garden
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Addie's Garden is one of 350 dive and snorkel sites located around Roatan, Honduras, within the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System.
- Suitable for
- Intermediate
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- Liveaboard or dayboat
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Marie's Kitchen
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Marie's Kitchen is a distinguished dive site located in Roatan, Honduras, forming a crucial part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, which stands as the world's second-largest coral reef.
- Suitable for
- Intermediate
- Current
- Moderate
- Access
- Liveaboard or dayboat
- Depth
- 5–30 m
- Theme
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© Esri — Maxar, Earthstar, GIS
Butcher's Bank
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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