Bear's Den Roatan
Hidden away from an incredible mini-wall lies an amusing cave called the Bear's Den. Lying east of Half Moon Bay on the northern side of the island, this site beckons one and all. Volcanic tunnels, coralline walls, shallow diving and snorkeling and a grand peak adds to the magic apart from the den itself. A mooring buoy is present and the top of the reef starts at 35 feet below the surface of the water. Coming down the mooring line to the reef crest, one may at once notice a 150-long tunnel. The tunnel leads the diver to the wall where the depth is around 60 feet and from here one can turn right and ascend to the top of the coral ridge at 15 feet, then follow the arching ridge leading to the entrance of the cave. The cave is approximately 30 feet deep and comprises of a large circular room thronged with crabs, lobsters and copper sweepers. A dive light may not be essential but can be used to examine any corners and cavities in the cave. Two small tunnels with a dead end in the cave may be interesting to investigate. The cave is teeming with marine life and coral growth. A wide range of sea whips, gorgonians, sea feathers, lettuce and boulder corals embellish the scenery here.
Gliding from coral to coral, the butterflyfish plucks tiny organisms from miniature cracks. They are an interesting lot to observe, swimming in pairs many of them adorning bands across their eyes or false eye spots that are used as disguise. It is usually difficult for a predator to distinguish the butterflyfish from its tail to the head thus enabling the fish to escape.
Average Depth Extent: 15- 130 feet
Average Current Status: Minimal
Proficiency Required: Beginner
Access Boat
