Cave West
16.2789°N 86.5845°W · cave
Cave West is a cave dive site in Roatán, Caribbean.
Overview
Cave West marks the western access point to the same cavern system as Cave East, offering a different perspective on the interconnected tunnels and overhangs carved into the reef wall. Divers entering from this side encounter large sea fan gardens on the exterior wall before ducking into the formations. Juvenile fish shelter inside the cavern openings, and the walls are encrusted with colorful sponges and hydroids. Visibility is typically 20 to 40 meters, with water temperatures between 26 and 29 degrees Celsius.
Site Information
- Location: Roatán, Caribbean
- Entry Type: Boat dive
- Site Type: Cave/cavern
- Difficulty Level: Advanced
- Maximum Depth: 22 meters
Dive Profile
Approach the cave entrance carefully and assess conditions before entering. Maintain excellent buoyancy to avoid disturbing sediment. Follow the cave walls and always keep the entrance in sight unless properly trained for overhead environments. Exit the same way you entered.
Sea-surface temperature and wave height from Open-Meteo Marine (ERA5 reanalysis, monthly averages).
477 verified species observations (226 species) logged within ~11 km of this site between 1911 and 2023, from the Ocean Biodiversity Information System.
- Pterois · lionfish
- Gambusia nicaraguensis
- Palatogobius grandoculus
- Poecilia orri
- Epigonidae
- Lipogramma evides · banded basslet
- Gnatholepis thompsoni · goldspot goby
- Malacoctenus macropus · rosy blenny
- Gobiomorus dormitor
- Phaeoptyx
- Gerres cinereus
- Lutjanus apodus
Scientific survey records skew toward sampled taxa (molluscs, corals) and do not reflect what you are guaranteed to see on a dive.
Source: OBIS (obis.org), aggregated Darwin Core occurrence records.
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