When you land in Roatan, the drive from the airport to Turquoise Bay will take few minutes longer than if you were headed for one of the dive resorts on the island's west end. But it's time well spent because these extra few minutes in the shuttle bus will put you within convenient range of a wealth of dive sites beyond the normal scope of south-side and west-end dive operations. And also, you'll be staying at a really nice place.
The Resort
Turquoise Bay Resort is located on the less-developed northeastern shore of Roatan, and it is the only dive resort in the area. The 30-acre hillside property overlooks the waters of a protected bay and is fronted by a private white-sand beach. With just 26 guest rooms, the resort is small enough to provide personalized service, and the staff takes pride in doing so. Activities center around the central lobby complex, which is just steps from the beach and includes the resort's pool and the Urudau restaurant. With both indoor and outdoor dining areas, the restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets, and also offers an a la carte menu, plus a variety of finger food and seafood specialties. There is a bar inside the restaurant and waiter service on the pool terrace and beach. The resort also operates the Beach Palapa Bar on a seasonal basis.
Guest rooms occupy a collection of two-story villas spaced across the landscaped grounds, with many offering water views from patios or balconies. Floor plans provide a spacious 250 square feet of living space, with either king or two double beds, and a full range of creature comforts that includes air conditioning, wifi, phones and flat-screen televisions with cable programming.
Turquoise Bay offers all-inclusive packages for both divers and non-divers. Both include airport transfers, all meals, non-alcoholic beverages and the use of water sports equipment such as kayaks and paddleboards. The resort's concierge can also arrange a variety of on-site and off-property activities such as private dinners, trips to a desert island, tours and adventures, rental car reservations and more.
The Diving
The resort's on-site dive center is Subway Watersports, which is located just a few yards away from the hotel lobby and restaurant, and within easy walking distance of all rooms. The dive center sits on the shore of a small cove, where docks hold a fleet of ten dive boats ranging from 20 to 42 feet in length. This diverse flotilla allows Subway to accommodate numerous groups individually, and create itineraries based on each group's unique interests and abilities. Boats are maintained to both Honduran and US safety standards and are equipped with first aid kits, oxygen, radios and a selection of fruits and drinks.
Dive packages typically include three boat dives daily and a night dive for stays of a week. Because the resort is close to many prime north shore sites, schedules often allow for a return to the dock between the first and second-morning dives. Most dives are conducted as multilevel profiles that allow for up to 60 minutes of bottom time. Non-diving spouses or companions are not forgotten, as there are also snorkel packages that include two trips a day aboard a dedicated snorkel boat. Subway is a PADI Five Star Dive center, and 32 percent nitrox is available either on a per-tank basis or as an upgrade to the dive package.
Roatan's north shore faces the open waters of the Caribbean, with deep water running closer to shore than on the south side of the island. Water clarity is good throughout the year and can be significantly better than the south side during the rainy season. Underwater topographies include walls and high-profile spur-and-groove formations with numerous channels, undercuts, swim throughs and caverns. Robust sponge and soft coral growths add color, and intricate grottoes hold schools of silversides, groupers and eels. Two of Roatan's premier wreck dives, the Odyssey and El Anquila, are located nearby, and Turquoise Bay is also much closer to prime and uncrowded east end dive sites than are the resorts in the West Bay area.
During much of the year, the north shore is somewhat sheltered from prevailing winds and waves. The exception is during certain days in winter when passing cold fronts can bring strong northerly winds. If a norther blows through, Subway makes shuttle bus arrangements to transport divers to the south shore for the day.
Guests’ reviews of Turquoise Bay are almost universally positive. The property earns high marks of a combination of comfortable accommodations, good food, pleasant surroundings and easy access to some of Roatan's best-uncrowded dive sites. One of the resort's marketing taglines is “Roatan's Best Dive Value,” and it is a statement that many feel rings true.
Book your next vacation stay at Turquoise Bay Dive & Beach Resort, call 800-329-9989 or send us an email at sales@caradonna.com.