Socorro, San Benedicto, Roca Partida and Clarion are four volcanic islands that make up the Revillagigedo Islands, some 250 nautical miles south of Cabo San Lucas.
Mary’s Place
One of the most-famous dive sites off the south side of Roatan, Mary’s Place has a lush reef with crevasses and tunnels running through it that provide great photo opportunities. The largest extends down 100ft and was formed by volcanic activity. The shallows can be explored by snorkellers, while divers can head down to 130ft, where they will find colonies of black coral.
El Aguila
El Aguila is a shipwreck lying in 110ft off the north shore of Roatan. Some 230 feet long and broken into three pieces (courtesy of 1998’s Hurricane Mitch), it is always home to 15-20 large grouper and a big blue parrot fish, as well as a monster green moray that is not shy about leaving his home to see what you are doing in ‘his manor’.
The Odyssey
The Odyssey is Roatan’s largest shipwreck, as well as being one of the bigger wrecks in the entire Caribbean. This freighter, which was purpose-sunk for divers in 2002, is some 300 feet long and 50 feet wide, and with its intact superstructure, offers plenty of penetration opportunities for those suitably trained. It lies in 110ft of water.
Coco’s Sea Mount
Coco’s beauty is in the mix of coral and good visibility, that divers always enjoy. The ocean floor rises from hundreds of feet to only 40ft from the surface. These sea mounts are far from Utila and Roatan, and therefore are rarely visited by dayboat divers.
Hawksbill Bank
The Roatan Aggressor is one of a few that visit this sea mount, which begins at 40ft and slopes down to 80ft. Bluebell tunicates are in abundance, and the rare fingerprints can also be found. A resident hawksbill turtle gives the site its name.
Hints And Advice
Many major airlines fly direct non-stop from the USA to Roatan from multiple gateways on Saturday – American Airlines, Delta and United. There are many direct flights from the US, and several connecting flights through the US gateway cities of Miami, Atlanta, Houston and Dallas.
The Roatan Aggressor departs from Romeo’s Restaurant in French Harbour, Roatan, and seven-night charters run from Saturday to Saturday. You can clock up 27 dives on seven-night charters (including night dives), and all dives are conducted from the liveaboard.
The charter schedule takes in some of the best dive sites around Roatan itself, and also Utila and Cayos Cochinos, and with a dive tender in tow, you can head off on shore excursions when the opportunity presents itself.
Roatan is ideally situated along the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, the second-longest barrier reef in the world, and this extensive reef attracts a wide variety of marine animals and feeds the Bay Islands with healthy and diverse populations of fish and other creatures.
The waters around the Bay Islands are renowned for their lush coral growth and healthy populations of fish, and while the main attraction for many will be the innumerable macro critters to hunt out on the reefs, there can also be some larger animals vying for your attention, including the mighty whaleshark.
Roatan Aggressor – The Socorro Aggressor is a spacious power yacht that was built for comfort, safety and stability. Diesel-powered, she can cruise at 10 knots and has 110-volt power onboard. Accommodations include one master stateroom with a queen bed, and eight deluxe staterooms (seven having a double and single berth, and one having two twin beds).
All staterooms have climate controls, private bathrooms and showers. The Roatan Aggressor features a roomy, air-conditioned salon and dining area, sundeck complete with a hot tub, lounge and deck chairs, shaded cocktail deck, grill, and a computer for photo-editing for guests. Specs Length – 120 feet Beam – 21 feet Passengers – 18 Staterooms – 9 www.aggressor.com
To add a map with above mentioned places would be suitable. Pavel