Difficulty
beginner
Viz (last reported 159955h ago)
Max Depth
44.9 ft
Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at Spooky Channel
Bay Islands Beach Resort is home of the famous Spooky Channel. The channel offers three unique shore diving opportunities: the inside reef for snorkelers to view the large coral heads and friendly parrot fish; the channel itself, which is a grand-canyon-like dive of 15 meters wide and 30 meters deep; and the outer reef that houses all the expected life of Roatan's North shore. Guaranteed lobsters, shrimps, octopus, rays and groupers.
Along the short stretch of road between Half Moon Bay and Sandy Bay on the Northwest side of the island.
Access
shore
boat
View
Nearby Shops
Tide Report
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1
(7)
Zentacle
Sep 21, 2021, 1:07 AM
scuba
Parking is right in front of the dive shop (to the left) and the restaurant/bar (to the right).
You can enter the water off the beach to the left, or the dock to the right.
The dock offers an easy giant stride entry, or a leisurely stroll down the steps. The nightly guided snorkel tour begins from this spot.
Under Construction!
To dive from this site, you must take an orientation dive from the resident dive master. Although there is a buoyed trail that leads from the dock to the channel, you'll need to absorb other important information before heading out on your adventure. Talk to the dive shop staff-- they're a friendly group!
1
Al Mialkovsky
Mar 29, 2006, 12:00 AM
scuba
This very much is similar to cavern diving. In the channel itself the visibility is as poor on Roatan as I've seen. But the structures made it a worthwhile dive in my book. On the outside reef it is more Roatan like with a gorgeous reef and abundant sea life. This is a better boat dive than shore dive.
Originally posted on shorediving.com
Rick Dozier
Mar 5, 2006, 12:00 AM
scuba
Very far from the shore, and barely a shore dive IMHO. Currents can be Very strong when tide is going in or out. Out is more dangerous as you cannot swim against it, and then you get dragged out to sea.
Originally posted on shorediving.com
Linda in Colorado
Feb 11, 2005, 12:00 AM
scuba
This was my 10th ever dive so it was a little scary. After all, it is Spooky Channel.
Originally posted on shorediving.com
Chuck
Oct 17, 2004, 12:00 AM
scuba
Had I left the island without doing this dive I would have cheated myself of a great time. The gap at the top is about a third of the bottom. Had a good size (20 lb) grouper lead me through a tunnel; he was waiting for me on the other side and lead me through another. Huge area -- could dive 10 more times and still see new area.
Originally posted on shorediving.com
Don M.
Apr 23, 2003, 12:00 AM
scuba
Spooky Channel makes a great dive. Guaranteed lobsters, shrimps, octopus, rays and groupers. Not a typical tropical wall dive until you get outside. The channel itself is more like doing a cave/cavern dive. Lots of overhangs and crevices. I like the channel best, but outside of the channel is a terrific wall dive. Do the free orientation at the dive shop because you don't want to swim against the current on the way back in. There are some side channels and tunnels you might miss if you don't know where they are. The resort gave us a good price for a fill & drop-off/pick-up in their whaler ($15 if I remember right). They also fixed my reg no charge. We did this a few times over 3 weeks. Check with the dive masters before making the swim because if the viz gets bad, it gets really bad! Otherwise, it is my favorite dive on Roatan. My wife snorkels & spent all day in the channel and surrounding area. The resort has a raft that was tied to a buoy in the channel. I don't think it is always there, but it makes a nice place for snorkelers to get out of the water, keep a dry bag with drinks, etc. On a practical note, we left our keys & valuables in the dive shop. Definitely worth at least 2 dives. We didn't see all of it, but we are going back next year.
Originally posted on shorediving.com
Anonymous
Mar 18, 2003, 12:00 AM
scuba
One of the best dives in the Bay Islands. A cut through the reef where the coral is growing together over the top. 50 ft wide, but only about 12 ft. at the surface. Big coral heads to swim around. Can (and should) be done at different depths. Deepest spot 90 ft. Good depth 45 ft. But for best conditions (visibility, current, etc.) always consult the Dive masters at Bay Islands Beach Resort. Depending on conditions, they can run you out to the outside of the reef to do it from sea to shore. This unusual and spectacular dive is reasonably advanced and should be done at the right times for maximum enjoyment. A fabulous night dive, too. Full of marine life as well as coral formations.
Originally posted on shorediving.com