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Hotels, dive operators, gear, and how to get here are on the Roatán location page.
Overview
Roatan's signature shark dive on a 21 m sand plateau off the south coast near Cordelia Banks. A resident group of 10 to 15 Caribbean reef sharks, almost all mature females reaching 2 to 3 m, circles a baited drum while divers kneel in a half ring on the sand. The reef edge drops off behind the action and the closing passes bring the animals within arm's length. Current can rip across the plateau between sets.
Briefing note
Baited shark dive run under a permitted operator. Divers stay in a stationary semicircle on the sand at 21 m while staff present a bait drum; do not chase the animals. The sharks are habituated and have produced no recorded recreational fatalities, but a baited environment is not without risk. Advanced certification and a recent dive log are typically required.
What you'll see
4 species curated- year-roundCaribbean reef sharkPeak: Jan · Feb · Mar · Apr · May · Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep · Oct · Nov · Dec
- year-roundGreat barracuda
- year-roundBlack grouper
- rareBottlenose dolphin
Reef data for this area
Jurisdiction-level snapshotsBenthic snapshot — AGRRA
Mesoamerican Reef — Honduras Bay Islands (AGRRA)
Current mean coral cover
18%in 2022
Earlier survey
20%in 2015
↓ -2 pts
AGRRA Caribbean benthic transects across Roatán, Utila, Guanaja. Bay Islands AGRRA composite (Roatán dominates the sample).
Reported at the jurisdictionscale, not the dive site — the published surveys don’t resolve a single reef. Healthy Reefs Initiative 2022 Mesoamerican Reef Report Card (AGRRA data) →
Conditions
| Month | Water | Visibility | Current |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 25–26 °C | 20–35 m | moderate |
| Feb | 25–26 °C | 20–35 m | moderate |
| Mar | 26–27 °C | 25–40 m | moderate |
| Apr | 26–27 °C | 25–40 m | moderate |
| May | 27–28 °C | 25–40 m | mild |
| Jun | 28–29 °C | 20–35 m | mild |
| Jul | 28–29 °C | 20–35 m | mild |
| Aug | 28–29 °C | 20–35 m | mild |
| Sep | 28–29 °C | 15–30 m | mild |
| Oct | 27–28 °C | 15–30 m | moderate |
| Nov | 26–27 °C | 20–35 m | moderate |
| Dec | 25–26 °C | 20–35 m | moderate |
Season calendar
Peak season highlighted · current month outlined
Gear for this site
Beyond the basic kit- Reef hook — Current can push divers off the sand circle between bait passes; a hook lets you hold position without scraping the bottom.
Next step
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