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Diving, day or night, can begin directly from shore. There is an attractive dive gazebo that extends offshore at the eastern end of the property. This allows quick and comfortable access to a variety of attractions within a short swim.

In addition to a well-formed coral reef, there is Tatoo's Wreck, an abandoned DC-3 aircraft, and the Prince Albert, a 120 foot island freighter perched upright in 60 feet of water at the entrance to a lagoon.

Both were sunk for divers and now host a variety of sealife. To the east and west of the resort beach is a nearly continuous wall that parallels the main island for 30 plus miles. The dive staff will deliver and pick-up tanks at the gazebo via small boat at gupsts' requests.

The dive operation is managed by Hank Hynds, a 15 year veteran Roatan instructor and guide. A fleet of six, 40 to 44 foot custom wooden boats is docked directly in front of the dive shop. Each vessel features a shaded dive deck, tank racks, platform, drop-ladders and a camera rinse tank. The boats carry small groups or three single tank dives, two in the morning and one on the afternoon.

Occasional two tank dives to far-flung locations are planned. There is a large, ventilated guest equipment storage room at the dive center. Guests review a sign-up board for the selection or assignment of a boat trip of preference. Quality rental gear is available. There are approximately 40 established sites within 3 to 40 minutes of the dock along the southern reefs. Should wind direction, visibility or a special request indicate a north shore dive, guests will be transported to the dock facility on that side of the island.

A dive site immediately accessible is 40 Foot Point. The top of the wall begins in 25 to 40 feet of water. Large sandchutes separate huge coral pinnacles, creating a dramatic spur and groove system. The vertical configuration includes ledges and overhangs, forming pedestals for layered Lettuce Corals, huge sponges and deepwater fans. Still a short boat run from the resort is Valley of the Kings, a standout dive site. Here is a virtual museum of sponges-nearly every variety imagin able, both large and small. One of the most dramatic dive sites on the southern side of Roatan is found at Calvin's Crack.

The primary attraction is a vertical crevice in the reef that starts out as a cavern and ends up as a narrow tunnel. The exit, on the wall at 90 feet, is laced with corals and sponges.

About 25 minutes west of the resort is one of the wildest and most pristine dive sites in Roatan. Insidious Reef is a bank reef formation that provides a transition to a wall site at Enchanted Forest. These sites are farther offshore and not part of the close hugging fringing reef more typical of Roatan. At Enchanted Forest, the wall begins at 60 feet, deeper than usual. Both depth and distance combine to create a wild scenario that mixes excellent wall diving with potentially large fish and pelagic species.

A contrast to vibrant south shore diving is the geological spectacle of north shore wall diving. The north shore is more of a barrier reef and, owing to a number of periodic submerged river valleys just off shore, huge inside walls are created along the reef zone. It is possible at sites such as Wall City to swim through elaborate steep sided passageways. As these fissures approach the wall, they often widen to incredible cathedrals and canyons. Inside walls on the north side can often tower 100 feet or more.

Fantasy Island Beach Resort Dive & Marina
5353 Tyson Avenue, Tampa, FL.33611
ROATAN-BAY ISLANDS-HONDURAS
(800)6-ROATAN (813) 835-4449
FANTASY ISLAND BEACH RESORT
(504)-45-1222 Fax (504)-45-1268
Roatan, Bay Island, Honduras, C.A.