Reef Gliders

Located in the vibrant West End area of Roatan, Honduras, Reef Gliders provides direct access to the island's fringing coral reefs. The centre is positioned right on the water's edge, making it easy to transition from the shore to the boat. The adjacent Blue Marlin bar and restaurant offers a place to relax during surface intervals while watching the sunset.

As a PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Dive Resort (IDC), the centre is equipped to handle everything from beginner courses to professional training. They offer a structured pathway for those looking to advance their careers, including Divemaster, IDC, MSDT, and IDC Staff programmes.

Safety and personalised attention are central to their operations, maintaining a strict limit of five divers per guide or instructor. The team is multilingual, providing instruction and guidance in English, Spanish, and Afrikaans. They also run the REEF GUARDIANS programme, which focuses on training local women to become professional divers and conservationists.

The course catalogue is comprehensive, covering the entire PADI recreational spectrum. You can start with Discover Scuba Diving or work through your Open Water Diver and Advanced Open Water Diver certifications. More specialised training is available through PADI specialties such as Deep Diver, Wreck Diver, and Coral Reef Conservation.

For professional aspirants, the centre provides full support for the Divemaster and Instructor Development Course (IDC). They also offer EFR (Emergency First Response) training and the O2 Provider Instructor course. Professional students can benefit from free transfers for their training modules.

The centre operates two main vessels for its dive trips. The Umkhomo is a 47-foot boat powered by twin 300 horsepower Yamaha engines, with a capacity for 25 divers. The Ushaka is a panga-style boat powered by a single 200 horsepower Yamaha engine, carrying up to 14 divers.

These boats are used for daily reef dives, night dives, and longer excursions. For those opting for full-day safaris, such as trips to the Seamounts or Guanaja, lunch and snacks are provided on board.

The centre is a Mares ambassador and provides high-quality Mares equipment for hire. They maintain an in-house technical team to ensure all kit remains in excellent condition. For those who prefer to use their own, the shop is well-equipped to support divers.

Nitrox is available on-site via a dedicated Nitrox station. The centre stocks various cylinder sizes, including 63cf, 80cf, and 100cf. Divers are encouraged to bring their own reusable water bottles, which can be filled for free at the centre.

The reefs around Roatan are teeming with life, from large groupers (Epinephelus) and snapper (Lutjanus) to schools of blue chromis and creole wrasse. You will often see parrotfish (Calotomus), yellowtail snappers, and various species of reef fish patrolling the coral heads. The presence of nurse sharks (Ginglymostoma cirratum) and larger pelagics is a common highlight of the local waters.

Macro life is abundant for those who enjoy searching the reef for smaller details. Keep an eye out for lettuce sea slugs, various nudibranchs, and octopus (Octopus vulgaris). You may also encounter garden eels (Gorgasia), crabs, and various species of shrimp amongst the crevices.

The seascape is defined by a rich variety of fixed life, including large brain corals, pillar coral, and soft corals (Alcyonacea). Sea fans (Gorgoniidae), sponges (Porifera), and various sea whips provide the essential structure for the many small creatures that inhabit the reef flat and the walls.

Diving in Roatan is generally characterized by easy conditions, though certain areas require more experience. The Seamounts can experience strong currents, which is a factor to consider when planning a trip to the Hog Cays.

Night diving is a regular part of the local dive programme, allowing you to see the reef in a completely different light.