The Oceanic Resource Foundation: Underwater Photography / Marine Conservation

Central America has become known as one of the best regions of the world for whitewater river rafting. The isolated rainforest jungles of the Caribbean Coast of Honduras has become one of the choice sites for whitewater adventure in crystaline rivers that pass through spectacular rainforest jungle.

Discover the Mosquito Coast of Honduras, the precious ecosystem of Central Americas rainforest jungles and cloud forests. Enjoy the exciting rapids and crystal clear waters of the Rio Cangrejal, which borders the mountainous rainforest of the Pico Bonito National Park. Rafting in inflatable rubber rafts accompanied by English speaking guides provides a thrilling adventure navigating through the CLASS III and IV rapids of the Rio Cangrejal. You can also take a pleasant swim in the inviting warm crystal clear waters of the Cangrejal river. The Rio Cangrejal has rafting year-round with high water periods in September - January and low water from Febuary through August.

The verdant jungle islands of Roatan, Guanaja , Utila and a jeweled patchwork of smaller islands & cays are known as The Bay Islands of Honduras. Located 35 miles north of Honduras' Mainland, they are tucked away from the mainstream, and remain today as some of the Caribbean¹s most beautiful, pristine and tranquil islands. This exotic archipelago is a divers paradise, boasting clear waters and unspoiled reefs that are among the healthiest in the Caribbean. These virgin reefs teem with a myriad of unique reef creatures and 95% of all species of the Caribbean¹s coral can be found in these alluring waters.

The Bay Islands are located at the southern tip of the longest Barrier Reef in the Western Hemisphere, which extends north to the coast of Belize. The dramatic combination of reef and the islands volcanic origin, form a spectacular underwater landscape. Pinnacles, ledges, underwater canyons, tunnels and caves are prevalent in these waters. Massive drop-offs and undercuts begin in less than 10 ft of water and drop down to endless depths. Huge gorgonians and sponges cling to sheer canyon walls providing a rich & dramatic scenery. There is definitely something of interest here for every level of diver.

Roatan is the largest and most popular island of the Bay Islands chain. This 30 mile long stringbean-shaped island is the beating heart and soul of the Islands. Its geography, accented by a rolling rocky interior and shoreline pockmarked with cays and coves, made it an ideal hide away for pirates in early days. Today, it harbors expatriates and divers looking for their own Central American adventure.

The island of Roatan has three distinct diving regions. The south side is defined by steep walls and prolific reefs. Northern sites consist of gently sloping coral terraces punctuated by crevices, chimneys and swim-throughs. Just north of Roatan, this shelf drops vertically to the depths of the Cayman Trench. On the east end, expect chimneys and pinnacles which are frequented by turtles, sharks and pelagics. Despite the large volume of visitors to Roatan, it is considered to be one of the Bay Islands' most pristine islands.

Prime sites include West End Wall, a gently sloping plateau of hard corals and tube sponges; look for turtles and grouper and keep your mask peeled for cowrie shells in the shallows. Drop out of the dive boat and down to Peter's Place, where you're immediately surrounded by a posse of Nassau and black groupers in a series of coral terraces. The sloping wall at Crawfish Rock is so completely shingled with sheet coral that it seems as if you are floating over an enormous submerged rooftop. Lush stepped terraces, typical of northern reef sites, are interrupted only by valleys, spurs and grooves at Big Bight East. Explore the famous Spooky Channel, one of the best shore dives on the Island right off the beach at Bay Islands Beach Resort. If it's a unique underwater rendezvous that you crave, try a dolphin encounter at the Institute of Marine Sciences.

Approximately forty miles off the northern coast of Honduras, lies the beautiful island of Guanaja which is one of the few remaining unspoiled islands left in the Caribbean today. Life here today is much as it has always been. There are no roads on this enchanting island (where the tropical forest meets the crystalline waters of the Caribbean Sea) and a visit here is guaranteed to make you relax, rejuvenate and revive. It is only eleven miles long and three and a half miles wide. Guanaja's shoreline ranges from beautiful white sandy beaches to rocky, craggy cliffs overlooking the ocean. The tallest peak in the island chain is here, reaching 1400 feet. You will find pine trees here in addition to dense tropical jungle. The entire island is surrounded by a thriving coral reef, which is protected as an Underwater National Park.

The underwater in Guanaja topography is varied and fascinating, marked by spur and groove reefs in the south and coral mazes and tunnels in the west and north. As usual in the Bay Islands, the macro life is phenomenal. Pack your lenses accordingly. Dive Guanaja's signature wreck, the Jado Trader. You may luck out and see hammerheads, but at least expect the regulars: grouper and morays. Shallow Rainbow Reef on the west side is a fascinating labyrinth of coral valleys winding through a reefscape ablaze in warm-hued tube and elephant ear sponges. Bring a light to Black Rock, looped with eerie caves and tunnels that wind through the reef. Shallow or deep, Alderson Wall is one of Guanaja's best walls, with overhangs of coral choked with sponges, sea whips and tunicates. Diving in Guanaja has it all!

Scuba divers and snorkelers rave about the rich and extensive underwater environment of Guanaja. With more than thirty dazzling dive sites only minutes away by boat and the exceptional shore diving it is a macro photographer's dream come true!

A visit to Utila will take you to an island that is much more wilderness than development and one that will guarantee discovery. This is an underwater universe wider and more different than you ever anticipated. As one diver put it, it's easier to list what's not here than what is! Utila is also the capital of Whale Shark diving in the Caribbean. Whale Sharks have been sighted here for more than 200 years, typically the best time being from March - June and again from September through November.

There is a false impression that all of the great Caribbean diving areas have already been discovered and popularized. One of the three major Bay lslands of Honduras, less-populated Utila was slower to develop. The closer of the three islands to the mainland, it was assumed to have an inferior dive environment. Not true. It is the one island that sits upon the continental shelf and therein lies a most important clue to its unusual biological diversity.

Diving at the Pinnacles appeals to both the dive vets and the beginners. The shallow reef crammed with juvenile drum, blennies, crabs and tunicates is worth the 45-minute boat ride in itself. Throw in a dramatically sheer wall that plummets to about 200 feet, accented with black coral stalks and barrel sponges, and you have one of Utila's best, most remote and wild dives. Ron's Wreck and Reef is a popular night dive; turn off your light to see hundreds of shrimp eyes peeking at you from the hard coral terraces. Jack Neal Reef is a pleasant second dive, a network of interesting sand channels. Once again, think small: anemones and tunicates. There's even a mini-wall here, with jacks, snapper and grouper.

From the largest fish in the oceans, the Whale Shark, to an unnamed nudibranch the size of your fingernail, Utila provides abundant surprises. Batfish, Flying Gurnards, Manta Rays and even a Blue Marlin have been encountered. Pods of Spinner Dolphins and Pilot Whales also frequent the offshore corridors.

Despite the infrastructure, Utila has only recently come into its own as a major Caribbean dive destination. There are two resorts that appeal to the modern and discriminating North American dive traveller. Family-style Utila Lodge in the heart of town is the quintessential dive resort where the daily schedule is simple: eat breakfast, dive, eat lunch, dive, eat dinner, night dive, sleep! Far from the noise and energy of town lies Laguna Beach Resort, just a 15 minute boat ride to the west. Both Resorts will show you the Best of Utila's Underwater World.