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‘Southside Days’ bring year-round diving in Roatan
Whether you are traveling to Roatan for the first time or are a regular visitor, you can always assume the tropical weather will throw some curveballs during your vacation. That’s just the small price we pay to enjoy the pristine beauty of a remote island in the Caribbean.
People often ask, “will rain effect our dive trip?” Or they see high winds and high seas in the forecast and automatically assume the weather is going to prevent them from diving.
Will Weather Affect My Diving in Roatan?
The short answer is “No.” And this answer is right about 99% of the time. The long answer is this:
There are always exceptions, but with “rainy season” actually comes unique diving opportunities when you’re diving in Roatan. Before looking into those specifics, let us take a step back and explore how the weather impacts the island.
Wind Matters Most
Roatan is shaped a bit like a sideways banana, running 48 miles long / 77km from southwest to northeast. What direction winds are traveling in, their strength and how they hit the contour of the island are the biggest variable in perfect dive conditions on Roatan.
For the majority of the year, trade winds cross the island from east to west. This makes the Eastern and Southern side of the island very rough. Conversely, the mountainous island impedes the wind resulting in flat calm seas on the Western edge and Northside of the island.
Fortunately, Sun Divers is perfectly situated on the western coast of the island on one of the Caribbean’s most idyllic spots on the beach in Half Moon Bay. The low wind and calm seas create the perfect conditions for diving in crystal clear water.
However, during the rare days when the wind shifts directions and makes western Roatan rough, there is a major silver lining: The Southside becomes calm.
In some rare moments, the winds will come from the southeast, and these are the days when conditions on either side of the island have to be monitored for safe diving. But these days are the rarest of them all.
How We Monitor Weather
Ensuring that we select the right side to dive on and the right sites to take you to is a matter of both safety and enjoyment. So, we take it seriously.
We use multiple weather forecast resources, including Windfinder, Windy, Weather Underground and the helpful local forecast from Roatan Weather.
It’s not secret that weather forecasts are well….semi-reliable at best (insert bad joke about weathermen), so we also assess conditions in real time with team members making early morning drives over to the Southside to verify wind and wave conditions for that morning.
Calls regarding weather’s influence on diving are made based upon insights from these resources, as well as the experience of our boat captains and dive instructors who have an almost innate sense when it comes to reading local weather conditions.
We also continuously monitor the weather, even when you’re underwater blowing happy bubbles, so that we can be prepared to adjust our plans for the next dives if needed.
You can always rest assured that we’ve got you covered when it comes to selecting optimal dive conditions.
The big debate: Southside vs. Northside
When we head south, we call this a: “Southside Day.”
Instead of leaving from the beach behind the shop, we take the boats to our dock on the Southside and transport all of our customers via luxury bus. The ride takes no more than seven minutes.
When divers hear this plan, the immediate next question is: “Is diving on the Southside as good as the North?”
The short answer here is “Yes!” The long answer is:
There isn’t one side that’s better than the other. They’re equally fantastic, yet different.
A scorpion fish sites amongst the garden-like soft coral.
The Southside is considered “more dramatic” with a shallow and short plateau giving way quickly to sheer walls. The south is also known for having more soft coral that delicately sway creating the illusion of an underwater garden. And Southside days give us the opportunity to explore uniquely captivating sites such as Keyhole, Blue Cave, the Prince Albert wreck, and the iconic Mary’s Place.
In contrast, the Northside has a gently sloping plateau ranging from 15 to 60 feet that then gives way to a wall drop off. The water on this side tends to be more nutrient dense, making this side of the island “fishier,” teeming with schools of fish as well as larger predatory fish. On some sites, you can cruise across the plateau for more than 10 minutes before you hit the wall, and there are many sites with sandy shallows that make for fun macro critter hunting in the sand and amongst coral heads.
Regardless of which side you’re on, there’s always adventure and exploration waiting for you.
And you can rest assured that a rainy day will not dampen the dive trip you have planned for months. So what are you waiting for? Book that next dive trip!
Why Roatan is Great for Digital Nomads
Working remote in Roatan is totally possible. Find your work-dive balance as a digital nomad in one of the Caribbean’s top dive destinations.
This is NOT a sponsored blog. Just us sharing our opinion!
Coco Lobo was our first temporary home on the island and the WFH views were not shabby.
Hi, my name is Shannon, and I am a recovering workaholic.
As dreams go, in my opinion, I have hit the jackpot: Along with my wife, I own an amazing dive shop on a tropical beach on the island of Roatan. This dream has been in the works for decades and finally came true this year. While our story has interested and even inspired people, I would be the first to admit that the leap we took is not for everyone.
The reality is not everyone is ready, willing or able to step away from lifelong careers to pursue a less stressful existence. Luckily, these days you don’t have to. There are ways to work hard and still have enough hours in the day to do things that recharge you (like diving). It is possible to feel like you’re working to live, and not the other way around.
How you can find work-dive balance
While the COVID-19 pandemic turned everyone’s world upside down, it taught many companies and individuals that entire teams don’t need to be tethered to a physical office to keep business running.
Enter the age of the digital nomad. Digital nomads are defined as freelancers, entrepreneurs, or employees with flexible bosses who need only a laptop to work from wherever they want. And they want to work from somewhere with a good quality of life….usually in a remote or international location.
There are many benefits of a remote work culture. Increased job (and life) satisfaction, productivity and balance, and decreased overhead costs, and carbon footprints with a reduction in commutes.
The trends toward more remote working were already steadily increasing, even before COVID struck. Now that COVID has a firm grip on every aspect of our work culture, it is estimated that 70% of employees will be remote by 2025.
Now that I’ve given you plenty of ammunition to successfully ask your boss to make this big change, we can focus on the fun part:
Deciding where to work remote
You’ve decided to make remote work a new part of your lifestyle. Now you need to decide on where you would like to work from. The beauty is that you don’t have to choose just one place forever – hence the nomad part of this. You can move as often as you want, and as often as your pocketbook (or boss) will allow. But wherever you choose to satisfy your wanderlust, it needs good internet, reliable services (power, water, and cell towers), access to stores for groceries & household goods, and a reasonable cost of living.
Allow me to introduce you to Roatan!
Roatan is an island about 40 miles off the northern coast of Honduras. It is 47 miles long and no more than 5 miles wide, yet the largest of the Bay Islands, and surrounded by some of the most spectacular Caribbean blue water you have ever seen. It’s also fringed by the world’s second largest barrier reef: the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. If you are into diving, snorkeling, kite surfing, or just relaxing on the beach… there is an endless number of things to do and see. The island is atop an ancient reef and it is mostly tropical, untouched jungle. It’s still relatively less commercialized than most island locations, making it still a hidden Caribbean gem. But the island is having its moment as seen on The Today Show, Fodder’s and Conde Nast. And there’s no better time than the present to experience it.
Why Roatan is Great for Digital Nomads
Before my work attire completely switched from business suits to bathing suits, I worked remotely here in Roatan. I experienced firsthand whether you can be reliably connected with a demanding job or not. Spoiler alert: you can! Here’s what I think makes Roatan great for digital nomads:
Reliable Wifi
Are you side-barring on slack, while trying to maintain enough eye contact with your everyone in your zoom room to look interested in Q4 planning, but also wanting to sneak a peek at your phone and see how many people liked your last Instagram reel? While the speed in Roatan’s high speed network is maybe more akin to a station wagon than a Ferrari, it is consistently reliable. Fiber internet is now available on the island and many rental homeowners are making the upgrade. My personal speed tests with MAX show that typical download speeds are around 10mb, and while that’s snail-like compared to your Google Fiber it’s enough to make sure you can share your screen and come in loud in clear when it’s your turn to hit present. Sure, you may have to limit the number of internet-based applications you’re running at a single time, but multi-tasking isn’t good for you anyways.
Reliable Utilities
As important as reliable internet is reliable electrical power, cell service and even water and gas. While the other Bay Islands deal with almost daily power outages, Roatan’s are very infrequent these days and almost always scheduled with advanced notice. Sure, you’ll get the random car crash or fallen tree that takes out a power line – but those instances are rare. Likewise, you see few interruptions in cell service or water and gas delivery (both of which happen by trucks that make daily rounds through the neighborhoods.) Now this isn’t to say that it never happens. Remember, you are living on a remote island. But it happens less often than you would expect.
Coworking and Coffee Shops Galore
While we don’t have a Starbucks on every corner, we have a surprising number of hip coffee shops and cafes with tons of character, excellent local java to help keep the creativity flowing and a nice work ambience. We still break away to the coffee shop when we need to focus on big projects for the dive shop and Bean Crazy, Café 314 and Café de Palo are just a few of our favorites. If you want to start Fri-yay a little early or have to clock some hours over the weekend, the Roatan Island Brewing Co. is one of the best spots to meet that project deadline, celebratory microbrew in hand.
Super chic coffeehouse vibes, a cool ocean breeze and killer lattes make Café de Palo a personal favorite.
Don’t want the coffee grinder interrupting you team meeting? Or maybe you need to feel like your “going to the office” to really be productive. While life does progress a bit slower here, we’re way ahead of the curve when it comes to co-working spaces. Right in the heart of West End, is a brand new, modern coworking space called Beach Desk. It has all the common amenities of coworking spaces (fully equipped work stations with monitors, keyboards and mouses to connect to your laptop, private phone cabins, meeting rooms and conference/event space) with the added bonus of an inspiring view from their terrace right above the water. They also have a backup generator so not even the scheduled power outages can be an inconvenience and they are expanding the space to include private offices soon.
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At beach desk, everyone has an office with a view.
Proximity to Nature
Think back to a time you felt happy, relaxed, recharged. You were probably somewhere in nature. And if you’re like the majority of people, you were probably by the blissing out by the ocean. While most must take the coveted three-day weekend to make a break for their happy place, when you live in paradise you can get there before your boss even has the chance to hit send on their “sorry to bother you after hours” email. In fact, you’ll be so close to your happy place that you can easily block off a “productivity pod” to recharge with a session of sun yoga, a swim in the bay or an afternoon or night dive.
In addition to these important remote work amenities, Roatan also has a number of local gym facilities, spas, fantastic restaurants of every persuasion (you can even find Pho here!) grocery stores stocked with your favorite brands (albeit for a bit more money since their imported) and local fruit markets, seafood vendors, as well as super affordable local food joints for the adventurous eaters.
What are you waiting for?
If diving is how you want to spend your free time, you can learn more about what makes Roatan one of the best diving locations in the world, as well as our curated yet casual approach to adventuring on the MesoAmerican Barrier Reef. You can also feel free to reach out to us at [email protected].
Overcoming Scuba Diving Phobias: From Scaredy Cat to Rescue Diver
Scuba diving phobias are not uncommon nor are they unbeatable. And frankly, we should all have a healthy dose of fear. It ensures we’re paying attention to important details and taking best practices, like a pre-dive safety check, seriously. But what do you do when your fears are more phobias preventing you from doing something you know deep down inside you would love to do? This is the tale of one woman who came to Sun Divers a self-proclaimed ‘scaredy cat’ but overcame her own phobias of water to become a real-deal rescue diver. There are more than a few four-letter words that Mekela uses to describe her experience, but we think her candid story can inspire others who are on the fence about scuba diving, to jump in and give it a try.
This blog is adapted and shared with permission from Mekela Busbee of WanderwithMekela.com. This is NOT a sponsored post.
Meet Mekela a former SCUBA ‘scaredy cat’
Hi, my name is Mekela, and this is my story of how I went from a complete scaredy cat of the water to a rescue diver.
How my scuba diving phobia started
When I was a kid, I LOVED the water!! I loved being in pools, lakes, and rivers. I was always the first one in and the last one out…usually being dragged out LOL. Growing up in California, I didn’t go in the ocean too much. The water is very cold and just gross with seaweed. As I got older, for some reason, I stopped liking it. That included even pools. I developed this fear of the water. I could deal with being in a pool when others were in it too but no other bodies of water.
You are probably wondering, “Then why move to an island that is surrounded by water?”
Well, for starters, who wouldn’t want to live in the Caribbean? Before I even moved, I joined scuba diving groups on Facebook hoping this would help with my fear. I loved seeing all these beautiful pictures from dives all over the world. But would I really take the plunge when I had the opportunity?
Taking baby steps in to the water
Fast forward to May 2021. I bought a one-way ticket to Roatan. I made friends within my first week here. One friend and I did an island boat tour. On the tour, the captain stops and gives you time to snorkel. Yep, I kept my scaredy cat ass on the boat while my friend and the captain snorkeled. My friend even told me how beautiful it was and how I was missing out. I finally sat on the boat ladder and that was a big thing for me. The next week, my friend left, and I became determined to overcome this!
Finding a supportive dive shop
As suggested, I walked around talking to different dive shops to see which one I wanted to go with. I selected Sun Divers after talking to Natalie. She was very helpful and listened to my fears, no matter how ridiculous they might have sounded to her. She offered to let me use gear to snorkel right there in the bay. I came back a few days later and got some gear. Natalie gave me tips on the best way to ease into breathing through a snorkel. I followed her advice and very slowly eased my way into it. After what felt like 10 minutes, I felt ready to try and actually snorkel. I did it!! I was snorkeling. Then…..
“Oh shit!!! SEAGRASS!!!! What could possibly be in there????”
Yes, that is literally what I thought. I couldn’t bring myself to come within six feet of the seagrass. It completely freaked me out. I kept trying, but I just couldn’t. I walked back to the dive shop feeling completely defeated and like the biggest dumb ass. When I walked in, Natalie’s face lit up and then quickly dimmed when she saw the look on my face. I told her what happened (still feeling like a dumb ass). She assured me that it would be ok. Natalie offered to snorkel with me to try and talk me through anything that may come up. And plenty of things DID come up!
The following week, we were finally able to snorkel together. After getting the gear on in the water, Natalie assured me that there was nothing in the seagrass that would hurt me. I got close and popped up. Nope, not gonna happen. She talked me through it and back in I went. This continued many times until she got me all the way out to the reef (it comes into the bay some). Once out there, I told her that I have never swam that far in the ocean before…literally ever in my life!
On the swim back to shore, I was thinking about the DSD class. DSD stands for Discover Scuba Diving. It’s the introduction to scuba course. By the time we got back, I decided to try it. What’s the worst that can happen? More freak-outs? That is pretty much guaranteed! I told Natalie I wanted to give it a go. She was genuinely excited for me to take this leap. I got scheduled for June 1 to take my DSD with Ana, one of the instructors at the shop. Before leaving the shop, I got my booklet to read before the course.
Taking the plunge
I showed up June 1 ready to go and still extremely scared and nervous. Ana was so sweet and completely understanding of my feelings. I found out later that Ana was given a complete rundown of my issues, hesitations, and overall feelings about the water. This helped her prepare to help me with it all. I did my confined skills in the bay. That was huge for me! Then we went out on a dive in the afternoon. I learned how to roll off the boat into the water. It only took me a few minutes to actually do the task though. Ana finally got me under the water, and we swam around for a while. I didn’t know anything about fish at the time, so not sure what all I saw. However, we did see two turtles. A baby and a larger one. I saw the first one and got super excited!! Once back at the dive shop, Natalie asked how it was. I am told that my smile said it all.
Facing setbacks
I left the next day to head back to California for a trip to Disneyland. By the time I got back to the island, my fears settled back in. I asked Natalie if I could do a non-certified dive to see if I really liked it before moving on. I did a dive with Ricky, another instructor at the shop. Yep, I liked it! When I got back to the shop, I asked when I could sign up for my PADI Open Water course.
Diving in
June 26 and 27 were the dates I did my OW (Open Water) with Ana. Now this almost broke me. Some of the skills you are required to do I absolutely HATE with a passion!!! I hate getting water in my nose and especially salt water. I had to fill up my mask entirely and clear it. I also had to take my mask off completely and put it back on. I didn’t do that just once. Oh no, that would be too easy. I did it three times that I can remember. Once in the confined water (the bay), once to swim without my mask, and then on the dive.
Mekela (left) with PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor Ana Meza
On the dive when Ana signaled to me to take it off, I shook my head no. She gave me the “come on just do it” look. I finally did it and immediately wanted to surface to clear my sinuses. She wouldn’t let me. She reminded me to breath slowly in and out. This helped calm my heartbeat and ease my desire to flee.
On that dive, we saw a large Spotted Eagle Ray. IT WAS SO COOL!!!! Ana said it was the oceans way of welcoming me. To complete the OW course, you learn skills in the confined water and then do four dives. You show you can do these skills while out in the open water (hence the name of the course). I was so ridiculously excited when I finished! I also had this immense sense of accomplishment. Holy cow! I am Open Water Certified!!! Something I hoped would happen but never thought it actually would.
I greatly enjoyed doing the fun dives. Occasionally, divers in the group would go to a depth that I couldn’t go to. I would literally be told to stay where I was while they explored deeper in the ocean. What the heck? Why couldn’t I go down the additional 15 or so feet?
Remember Ricky? Well, from day one, he has asked me every time he saw me, “Hey, you wanna do a night dive?” My response was always some variation of “HELL TO THE NO!”
Taking it to the next level
On Sunday, July 25, I stopped in the dive shop that morning. I asked Shannon about the night dive and if there was still room. He looked at me funny and then asked if this was for me. I said yes. I am confident that he was stunned with that answer. He gave me the rundown on it and gave me some homework to prepare for a Night Adventure Dive. He told me to be back at 4:30 for my knowledge review and to get ready for the dive.
I showed up and pretty much shocked everyone that I was there. Nick was the instructor for the night dive. Yes, Ricky was the one bugging me about it, and he missed out on it. I enjoyed seeing the really cool things that come out at night. Octopus, squid, urchins, lion fish, and more. We even saw a turtle swimming around which is not common. The highlight for me was the bioluminescent and the string of pearls. I have been wanting to see that since I heard about it in 2013.
Mekela (right) and her new friend and dive buddy Elizabeth exploring the El Aguila wreck – and advanced dive in Roatan.
The next day, I was at the shop to do a fun dive. Shannon mentions to me that since I started my Night Adventure dive counts toward my PADI Advanced Open Water certification that I should just keep going with it. I met Scott on the night dive, and he wanted to continue with getting his AOW. Shannon mentioned it would be good to do together. Since I only needed to do four more Adventure Dives, I agreed. Scott and I talked about what dives to do beside Navigation and Deep which are required. Our additional three were Night, Wreck, and Peak Performance Buoyancy. By the end of the week, we were done with them all and were AOW certified!!! WOO-HOO!!!! Also, now when everyone else goes down below 60 feet to look at something, I can too.
And then the next level…
Now that AOW is complete, I would get to enjoy my last few days of fun dives before flying back to the States. During that time, Natalie mentioned in passing how she thinks I would be a good Rescue Diver. I had to ask why she thought that. She tells me that I have no issues taking charge in a situation. No, that does not mean I am bossy. It means I have great leadership skills. Also, I am absolutely not shy, so that helps too. She also mentioned she noticed how caring and concerned I was for a fellow diver I had just met on a dive we did in mid-July. Since I was going to be in the States for 7 weeks, Natalie lets me know that I am able to do one of the requisites there. At the end of those 7 weeks, I take my Emergency First Response (EFR) class. This is comprised of CPR and first-aid and some specifics for diving.
Back on the island finally!! Man, I missed this place. I did my first dive back exactly two months after my last dive. I am grateful that it was just me and Natalie. I knew I would need to reacclimate to diving, and I didn’t want to hold up a group with my freak outs. Thankfully, it was just one minor freak out in the beginning. After that, it was just like riding a bike.
During my first week back, Natalie mentions that someone else is planning to do the PADI Rescue Diver course the following week and suggested I join. It is easier with 2 people apparently. I reluctantly agree. I knew I needed to get this over with and would probably drag my feet without the push. I picked up my book over the weekend. HOLY READING!!! There is a lot to read and learn. While I was preparing for my course, I kept having a lot of uncertainty creep in. Why? Yes, this course is hard as well as rewarding. However, I had friends who recently did this course tell me things like, “It was the most difficult three days of my life.” “Man, you might regret signing up because its crazy hard.” While I appreciate the honesty, people need to keep their opinions to themselves. One comment like that could easily persuade someone to not do something. Thankfully, I was able to push that doubt aside and finished the reading and knowledge reviews before the Wednesday start.
Sweet Success!
October 13 was the first day. I also finally met my fellow Rescue Diver trainee. It was absolutely better with 2 students. This allowed our instructor Nick to observe and critique what we were doing to assure we were doing it correctly. This course was very hard. When I said there was a lot to learn, it was so much. I am grateful that we get hands-on training too. While it is a simulation, it helped me learn and retain more. After day one of training, I was exhausted! I felt like I had run a half marathon. I could not wait to get home and go to bed. Day two was just as tiring. But, after two very hard days, we were done. That Rescue Diver certification is all mine!!
How I went from zero to Rescue Diver hero
So, how did I ultimately overcome what was an almost crippling fear? By having the support and encouragement of an awesome team. Natalie could have easily laughed at my ridiculousness in the beginning, but she didn’t. I feel like other people would have very quickly lost their patience with me. That never happened in any of my courses. The staff at Sun Divers know just how far to push and when. If you aren’t ready for it yet, that is okay. They are here to support you however far you want to go on your diving journey.
Interested in learning to dive, but not sure if you’re ready to take the plunge? We’re here to help. Contact us to schedule a time to chat with a Sun Divers team member to learn more about how we can help you follow in Mekela’s courageous fin kicks and experience scuba diving safely and confidently.
The spell of the silversides
Roatan offers such an amazing variety of dive sites that are accessible all year. Each site has its own unique features from towering walls, steady drifts, and deep caverns… often, all three and more.
But, during brief windows of time, some of the sites are punctuated with a once-a-year bonus. During the month of August, we experience one of the coolest phenomena: the spawning of Silversides.
What’s so cool about Silversides?
Silversides by themselves are an inconspicuous fish about two inches long with a white-silvery sheen. However, during their annual spawning, the silversides will form massive schools in sheltered areas of the reefs. They will take up residence in some of the many swim throughs and caverns prolific around Roatan.
This experience can be mind-blowing to divers. Imagine entering a swim through…The rays of sun light fight through the many cracks and holes creating lustrous streaks that reflect off the bottom. As you get further into the cavern you begin to see the streaks of sun broken up by flashes of light in every direction. Soon, you are surrounded by a mesmerizing light show as the schooling silversides surround you. They simultaneously block the light from above and reflect it in constantly evolving patterns. As you swim through the school, the fish will open up a small tunnel while still flashing their disorienting shapes.
The ever-evolving synchronized movements combined with the flashes of light have engulfed you in their spell. Before you know it, you have spent twenty minutes in one place – losing all sense of up, down, forwards, and backwards – but you are loving every second of it.
©️ Antonio Busiello
Why do Silversides just appear?
Scientifically speaking, the silversides are here for a reason. Millions of the Atlantic silversides will swell together for their annual spawning May-July. About five to 20 days later, newborns are hatched in what is called “broadcast spawning”. They travel in massive swells of schools as a form of protection and fill many nooks and crannies of the Mesoamerican reef for refuge. The silversides will feed on fish larvae, eggs, and zooplankton. Each fish is about two inches long, but the schools can feel like they go on forever. Their lifespan, unfortunately is much shorter. They can live up to two years, but many live for one as they also serve as a primary prey from larger fish and squid on the reef.
Where can I find schools of Silversides?
Some of the most popular spots for silversides include Blue Channel, Dolphin Den, Mary’s Place, Spooky Channel and more. But the schools can materialize overnight in any of the many caverns around the island.
Want the Silversides to put a spell on you?
Sun Divers will make sure to include these sites in your itinerary during your stay in August.
Contact us to plan your trip today.
Shark! Your sighting can help science
Sharks: a bucket list sighting for almost any diver, striking fascination and sometimes a small dose of fear in the hearts of us all. We’ve spotted three scalloped hammerheads on dives in just two months, making us more than a bit obsessed here at Sun Divers. And we’re not the only ones.
A new passion project in Roatan supported by the Roatan Marine Park and headed by Simon Gulak, shark biologist and founder of Sea Leucas, aims to shed some light on the little known life of sharks here in Roatan and the greater Bay Islands.
Share your shark sighting
The moment is magical. You hear the tank bang and direct your gaze to the blue. At first it’s a shadow and then there’s that undeniable dorsal fin. If you’re an underwater photographer you’re scrambling to not be all thumbs. If you’re not, you’re likely fixated. Witnessing firsthand the power and finesse of the ocean’s apex predator in the wild is something you never forget.
It’s an experience you want to share with everyone. You’ll no doubt talk about it. Post about it. Hopefully add it to our “Best Sightings of the Month” board. And now you can also share your sighting to help build the first shark count database in the Bay Islands.
Sightings help science
Honduras designated all 240,000 square kilometers of its waters as the first shark sanctuary in the Americas in 2011. Yet, we know very little about shark life, behavior and abundance (or lack thereof) in Roatan and the Bay Islands.
Limited data means limited ability to protect these beautiful creatures who are not only crucial to the health of marine ecosystems, but have been proven to be of more value to our economies when they’re alive and thriving than served on a menu.
One of the most important data points that can help protect sharks is simply establishing a baseline of their abundance. This baseline is something that does not exist in Roatan and the Bay Islands….yet. RMP and Sea Leucas have established the first ever database for shark sightings with the hopes that the entire community will contribute.
Adding your sighting is simple. Just visit the RMP Shark Sightings page to submit information about your sighting including when, where and what species was seen.
Sightings to date have included scalloped and great hammerheads, oceanic white tips and silky sharks.
What will we spot next?
The best way to find out is to dive in!
To E-Learn or Not to E-Learn?
That is the question that a lot of people have when first considering achieving a PADI certification. But, like most things in life, there isn’t a one size fits all approach to SCUBA diving certifications. And that’s actually a good thing, because it allows you to personalize your diving education journey.
So how do you know if E-Learning is right for you?
Consider three things when deciding if you should opt for the PADI E-Learning vs. a full course at your dive center of choice. 1) your personal learning style, 2) your vacation length and 3) your budget.
But, before we dig into whether E-Learning is right for you, it’s probably best that you understand exactly what your options are! We’ll use the PADI Open Water course to highlight the differences.
The PADI Open Water Diver course includes three parts:
Knowledge Development, Confined Water Dives, and Open Water Dives. Knowledge Development covers the principles, concepts and terms you need to know for dive safety and enjoyment. During the Confined Water Dives, you learn and practice scuba skills in the shallow waters of our bay (other dive centers might use a pool). Then, to complete training, you will apply and demonstrate what you’ve learned through four Open Water Dives upon the beautiful Roatan reef.
Confined water skills might not be required for the certification program such as Advanced Open Water or Specialty Certifications.
There are two ways to approach the Knowledge Development portion of all PADI certification programs:
One is through PADI E-Learning which is an online training platform that includes a mix of written education and videos. The knowledge reviews, quizzes and final exam that you’d normally take on site at the dive center are administered for your completion online prior to show up to the dive center for your course. When you start the in-person part of the course with your dive center, they will administer a set of questions for you to answer known as a “Quick Review.” This allows the instructor to see where there might be knowledge gaps that they will then help fill through discussion with you.
Screenshot of the multimedia PADI E-Learning platform
The second option is to take the “Full Course” at your dive center. With this option, you read a hard copy manual and answer the knowledge reviews in advance, and also must watch a series of videos. You then review the content of each of the five knowledge development sections with your instructor. With this option you’ll be able to ask more questions and hear anecdotes from your instructors experience that provide additional context to the theory. Quizzes are taken on site and reviewed with your instructor, as is the final exam.
With both options, you still must complete the confined and open water skills in person – there are just some things that can’t be done in a virtual world (yet!).
Is E-Learning right for your learning style?
Spoiler alert: Learning “styles” are a myth! Many of us have probably been told that we are either predominantly a visual, auditory and kinesthetic learners. And that when trying to process and learn new information, it should be taught to us in the style that’s our dominant learning style.
Cognitive research today has thoroughly debunked this myth. Plus, the PADI e-learning platform is an engaging mix of reading, informational images / graphics and videos hitting on both visual and auditory learning. Combine that with the kinesthetic confined and open water skills and you’ve used all senses to learn.
So if you think e-learning is not for you, you might just think again. Unless you just really prefer the experience of a “real” book vs. more screen time.
Will E-Learning give you more time to enjoy your vacation?
Absolutely. A typical full course will take 3 – 3.5 days to complete based upon your own rate of progress. E-Learning typically takes 2.5 – 3 days. That means more time for you to maximize your vacation – either moving on to fun diving after certification or freeing you up to incorporate other activities into your vacation.
Does E-Learning Cost More?
In short, yes. But as the saying goes, “time is money” and it’s just a matter of how much your time – especially your vacation time – is worth to you. Compare E-Learning prices here to decide whether it’s worth it to you.
Now that you know some of the differences between E-Learning and PADI’s traditional methods of instruction, it’s time to decide which is right for you. Still have questions? Don’t hesitate to reach out and ask!
The case for coral nurseries in Roatan
As you make your way for your safety stop at Seaquest, all of a sudden it comes into focus: An underwater forest of manmade tree-like contraptions. Little bits of coral dangle from these metal ‘trees’ like Christmas ornaments. What you’ve happened upon is the Roatan Marine Park’s Coral Restoration Nursery. The nursery is a super cool location to spot slender file fish, squid squads and even turtles and eagle rays – but it’s purpose is even cooler than that. The nursery is designed to ‘grow’ coral fragments that can then be outplanted onto the reef in order to increase coral coverage with more resilient coral species.
Wait – how do you grow coral?!
First it starts with the coral fragments. Broken bits of Elkhorn, Staghorn and Prolifera coral (which is a hybrid of the two) are recovered from the reef and then hung from the trees. Here they can avoid predators such as fireworms and snails while benefiting from increased sunlight and well-circulated water free flowing amongst the trees.
Much like a plant nursery, these smaller fragments are essentially nursed back to health (pun intended!), so that they can grow into larger, stronger fragments that will survive being outplanted back onto the reef. The more mature corals are then taken to the Roatan dive site Chiefs Quarters where they are “planted” using two-part epoxy. Many times they are positioned near existing coral colonies of the same species which indicate that the location is an area where the coral transplants will thrive.
Why do corals matter anyway?
Reefs cover only .2% of the ocean floor yet sustain 25% of marine life. They also contribute greatly to our lives providing recreation, billions of jobs and coastline protection. Not to mention, the joy, peace and exhilaration we experience when we get to connect underwater to the beauty of the reefs.
That’s a pretty big job for such a small population of coral. Yet, this all-too-important and already limited ecosystem is under attack from warming sea temps, diseases such as Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease damage from ships of all kinds, and destruction from construction such as port dredging.
As coral coverage diminishes, so will the home to thousands of species of fish, invertebrates, marine mammals and more. So will our ability to spark joy from exploring the reef while scuba diving. And so will the protection from storms and erosion, as well as the foundation for billions of jobs worldwide.
In short, a world without corals is not one we’re excited about living in or raising our children to have to struggle with.
What’s the coral situation in Roatan?
The MesoAmerican Barrier Reef in Roatan is under the same catastrophic stressors as reefs around the world. To help offset the loss of coral colonies seen here on the island, The Roatan Marine Park has developed a nursery with 20 trees. Since the nursery’s installation in 2019, over 300 coral fragments have been outplanted. The next steps: continuing to expand the program, while also monitoring the outplanted coral for future growth and spawning (to ensure corals are self-propagating).
So now you’re saying ‘Cool, I want to help plant coral!’
Sun Diver team members Nick Griffiths and Ana Meza attach coral fragments to a tree.
You’re in luck. Divers have an opportunity to become volunteers through the Coral Restoration Ambassador program. As a Coral Restoration Program Certified Dive Center, we can certify you so that you
can perform basic tree maintenance, help repair trees that have been damaged from storms and surge, and even assist with outplanting and data monitoring. There are two certification levels and the course can be completed in just a couple days. Learn more about how to become a certified RMP Coral Ambassador.
If you’re not on the island and won’t be anytime soon: what are you waiting for? Book your ticket!! But you can also support form afar by donating to RMP’s program. Donations help fund nursery operations, permits to keep the program running, and ongoing analysis to improve future program decision.
Okay, so what is the String of Pearls?!
So you just finished your first Roatan night dive and experienced the globally rare “string of pearls” phenomena. The only thoughts that go through your mind are “have I entered the Matrix?” or “Who spiked my water?”.
Check out this cool TED Talk by bioluminescence specialist and Ocean Research and Conservation Association founder Edith Widder.
What you have seen can only be described as mind-altering and, possibly, life changing.
Imagine yourself in complete darkness. Each flurry of movement sends “sparks” through the water. The light gives you the sense of racing through the universe surrounded by a galaxy of stars. You are already amazed at the experience – THEN the magic happens – your eyes begin to focus on the strings of sparkling lines of brilliant green lights that flash in concert throughout the water.
So what is it that you’re exactly seeing?
The legend of the “String of Pearls” has a many homegrown explanations. The most common is simply that no one really knows what they are. While that isn’t completely true, sometimes the marvel of the experience is simply more romantic without knowing the details.
The truth of the matter is that there is real romance involved.
The real story behind the “String of Pearls” starts with a microscopic crustaceans
Ostracod
called Ostracods. These tiny creatures emerge from the depth about an hour after sunset to begin their bioluminescent courting ritual which consists of males excreting strings of “vomit” blobs of bioluminescent mucus – all in the name of love… And the Ostracod chicks dig it!
Each of the strings produce an intricate series of vertically progressing flashes to attract non-luminescent females of the same species. The displays typically consist of nine to 13 pulses, three bright, longer pulses followed by six to ten dimmer, quick pulses. The length of each train of displays is typically 50 to 70 centimeters with each pulse lasting a second or less and ranging from millimeters to centimeters apart.
Divers who experience this amazing sight often struggle to describe what they just experienced but are aware that what they witnessed was uniquely Roatan.
Now you’re asking yourself… how can I see the “String of Pearls”?
Every night dive will be a thrilling adventure but take a glance at the moon stages. If you happen to be on the island when there is a new moon (ie. No moon), your chances just increased dramatically. Check out more on our night diving at Sun Divers Roatan here.
SCTLD: Be part of the solution
We’re not the only ones on Earth trying to combat devastating diseases these days. The MesoAmerican Reef in the Caribbean has been facing its own pandemic caused by new disease called Stony Coral Tissue Loss disease.
Divers will ask us from time to time about the difference they are seeing in the coral. Many are sad to hear about the havoc this disease is wreaking on the reef system of their beloved Roatan and want to do something to help. Luckily, there is hope and divers can be a part of the solution.
So what exactly is Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease?
The truth is that the scientific community is still working to understand exactly what SCTLD is. But, there is strong reason to believe that the disease is bacterial, based upon the efficacy of antibiotic treatments (more on these in a minute!).
It effects over 24 types of stony corals. Iconic pillar corals, big and beautiful boulder brain corals and star and starlet corals being the most susceptible. The disease is characterized by freshly exposed white skeleton that usually forms in circular lesions, first appearing along the borders of coral colonies.
Do we know where it came from?
The disease first came on the radar in 2014 in Florida. That year there was a trifecta of incidences that wreaked havoc on the reef system there:
- 2014 was (and still is) the hottest year on record
- Coral colonies were getting hit hard with bleaching and
- the dredging of the Miami Port was badly damaging the reef. This trifecta made coral colonies weaker, less able to fight against diseases like SCTLD.
From Florida, the disease quickly spread across the Caribbean, ultimately making its way to Roatan in September of 2020.
Is there a cure?
There is still not a surefire way to stop SCTLD. However, antibiotics, specifically amoxycillin, have been proven to stop the progression of the disease. The amoxycillin in powder form is mixed with a special marine epoxy and then administered to coral colonies through syringes. Depending upon the coral species, the efficacy rate can range between 60-80%.
How do I help?
This all sounds catastrophic, but there is hope. And you’re part of it. Here’s how you can help:
- Decontaminate your gear. Pathogens can survive in scuba diving and snorkel gear. This can cause the disease to spread internationally. Help avoid this by soaking your gear in a solution of water with 1% bleach. Avoid further environmental contamination by allowing this solution to sit in the sun and breakdown for one day. Then dispose of it.
- Remember the 3 Ts: Don’t Touch, Take or Tease. Touching diseased coral and then healthy coral can cause transmission of the disease. But this isn’t the only reason you shouldn’t touch the coral. Coral are actually fragile animals. If you touch them, kick sand in them or hit them with your instruments, fins or body, you can seriously harm them. Learn more about Coral Etiquette from the NOAA.
- Volunteer for a Treatment Dive: At Sun Divers, one of our core values is to Always be Eco-Active. We believe that we’re not here just to enjoy the splendors of the ocean, but to protect them. One way we are acting as good stewards of the reefs, is conducting bi-weekly SCTLD treatment dives. Volunteer divers and local conservation agency staff from the Roatan Marine Park and Bay Islands Conservation agency, dive together to treat, tag, monitor and collect data on SCTLD. We have adopted two dive sites to focus and measure our efforts on: the beloved Blue Channel and Shallow Aquario.
- Snap a photo! You’re scouting the reef for you next perfect underwater photography shot and then you see it: a bright yellow tag with numbers on it. That is an identification tag for coral colonies treated for SCTLD. While not your intended subject, snapping a photo of the tagged coral colony and sending it to the Roatan Marine Park is a vital way that you can provide visual data for the monitoring of SCTLD.
- Support local conservation groups: In Roatan, SCTLD treatment efforts are being led by two non-profit organizations: The Roatan Marine Park and BICA. These organizations are authorized to purchase the marine epoxy used to administer the amoxycillin to corals and they do so through grant and private funding. Producing and shipping marine epoxy from Florida to Roatan can be quite expensive, so any amount of financial support helps. Learn more about how you can monetarily support SCTLD treatment through the RMP and BICA.
