Sandy Bay and West End Marine Reserve Dive Sites

West Bay Walls sites: Tabyana's | Bucho's Bank | Mandy's Eel Garden

Coconut Tree Divers strongly supports the conservation and restoration efforts of the Roatan Marine Park, a volunteer organization that oversees the protection of the Sandy Bay - West End Marine Park. All snorkelers and divers are asked to contribute to this worthy cause through the purchase of a $10 marine park reef braclet. All proceeds from this tag go to the marine park to ensure that our beautiful reef can be enjoyed by future generations.

Min. Depth: 12m/40ft Max. Depth: 40m/130ft Avg. Max: 30m/100ft Nitrox Mix: EANx32 Difficulty:

Tabyana's

Tabyana's (also known as "Herbie's Fantasy) is one of the few sites where you can visit the deep second wall of Roatan's fringing reef system. Starting on a circular sand patch at 12m/40ft, you'll follow a broad coral ridge as it rolls to the bottom of the first wall at 24m/80ft. Multiple coral ridges extend like fingers, each holding a desperate grip on the lip of the second wall at 33m/110ft. Each finger is separated by a long sandy slope speckled with bizarre tube sponge formations. Look for southern stringrays and eagle rays gliding over the sand, barracudas and oceanic triggerfish playing in the blue, and the occasional Caribbean reef shark passing by the dropoff.

Fishlife along the first wall closely resembles the life found at shallower depths on other sites. King crabs, angelfish, whitespotted filefish, and spotted moray eels are commonly found in this area. The shallow section, which is sometimes called "Herbie's Fantasy" by other dive operators, is indeed fantastic for its large barrel sponges and significant conch population.

Marine life: southern stingray, eagle rays, barracudas, oceanic triggerfish, Caribbean reef sharks, king crabs, whitespotted filefish, spotted moray eels, horse conch

Don't miss... pausing for a minute over the second wall. The second wall is normally found between 50-60m/165-200ft- well beyond recreational dive limits- so the chance to peer into the abyss at the more reasonable depth of 33m/110ft is unique. Do in on Enriched Air Nitrox to get even more time along the wall.

Min. Depth: 10m/30ft Max. Depth: 24m/80ft Avg. Max: 24m/80ft Nitrox Mix: EANx36 Difficulty:

Bucho's Bank

It's just another lazy day at the beach when you visit Bucho's Bank (also known as "Sponge Emporium")- only this beach sits 24m/80ft underwater! The subaquatic remnant of West Bay's ancient beachfront, this site's easy sandy slope is home to a host of a southern stingrays and eagle rays. Oversized barrel sponges line the bottom of the wall like palm trees along the shore; turtles oftentimes pay visits to these sponges for a tasty treat. Hogfish and goatfish root around in the sand in search of errant crabs and worms, while schools of horseeyed jacks swirl overhead.

The wall at Bucho's Bank, which starts at 18m/60ft, is best described as a series of sloping coral heads gradually dropping to a sandy bottom at 24m/80ft. Above the wall, coral fingers unfold on a steady climb to 10m/30ft in the shallows. Hungry angelfish and atlantic spadefish scour this area for potential meals, while lobsters hide in the cracks in hopes of not becoming a snack themselves. Once again, southern stingrays can be found here by looking for their eyes peeking out from beneath the sand. Reef squid are occasionally sighted here as well; approach slowly for an excellent Underwater Photography opportunity of these bizarre creatures.

Marine life: southern stingrays, eagle rays, turtles, hogfish, angelfish, porcupinefish, atlantic spadefish, lobsters, reef squid

Don't miss... the "gardens" of garden eels in the depths. They will first appear as fields of grassy blades waving in the gentle current, but on approach this grass will quickly retreat into the sand. Closer inspection will reveal this grass to actually be hundreds of tiny green garden eels peeking out of their holes.

Min. Depth: 5m/15ft Max. Depth: 24m/80ft Avg. Max: 18m/60ft Nitrox Mix: EANx36 Difficulty:

Mandy's Eel Garden

Ready to start your Discover Scuba Diving experience? Mandy's Eel Garden is the site for you. The shallow sandy flats at 5m/15ft makes this site ideal for first-timers looking to explore the underwater world. Generously sprinkled with boulder-like coral heads and snake-like canyons, the gentle features of this site make it easy to practice your Peak Performance Buoyancy skills. More experienced divers will want to check out the sheer wall as the shallows suddenly give way to 24m/80ft sandy depths, where hogfish and southern stingrays hunt for potential meals.

What else would you expect to find at a site called Mandy's Eel Garden than a horde of eels? Fortunately, this site does not disappoint. Hundreds of grass-like garden eels populate the sandy depths while spotted moray eels hide amongst the craggy wall outcroppings. A green moray eel has taken up residence in the shallows and can be found free-swimming between coral heads. The usual denizens of the shallows make an appearance here as well: schools of scavenging goatfish, darting creole wrasse, and comical sergeant majors abound.

Marine life: southern stingrays, hogfish, green moray eels, spotted moray eels, garden eels, lobsters, goatfish, reef squid

Don't miss... taking the swimthrus from shallows to the wall. Starting at 8m/25ft and exiting at 12m/40ft, a circular tunnel takes you from the white sand expanse of the shallows into the brilliant blue of the deep. It's easy enough for beginners, yet stunning enough for even the most jaded veteran.

Next: The Point ->