Snorkeling in West Bay, Roatan

Known as "The Jewl of the Caribbean", the reef at West Bay, Roatan, is part of the second largest coral reef system in the world - the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. In this video, you will get a look at the undersea life that can be found there: Parrot fish, peacock flounder, trumpet fish, all manner of angel fish, etc. Shot on a GoPro Hero.
Music:
"Cruzero", by Eaters
"Ocean Glide", by Finn Cragen

[@BoB4jjjjs]

I would need a very long snorkel to reach the bottom! 🤣 Looks nice though.

[@JfCLA]

Not a hold-your-breath kinda guy?

[@BoB4jjjjs]

@@JfCLA I could, but getting back to the surface might be a bit of a problem! I can hold my breath for 1 minute. After that minute, I might drown!!!!

[@christineblack4654]

lol it's like 5 feet everywere over there very very shallow and easy.

[@BoB4jjjjs]

@@christineblack4654 Hay, I could drown in a bath tub!!!

[@tereses2100]

Is this reef at West Bay, Roatan still healthy? Or has it suffered from bleaching? We are planning our next snorkeling adventure in the Caribbean.

[@JfCLA]

Seemed pretty healthy to me, but this was 2 years ago. I’ve heard it’s good this year, but there’s been SOME bleaching because of a war summer. Cayos Cuchinos is a smaller island about 20 miles from Roatan that has a resort. There’s great snorkeling out there as well. I also think St. John, USVI, has a to e of amazing snorkeling from shore. Here’s my video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n6ubmYGNg56clZosi=zQ7fKJymx7thZIF7

[@tammymisa5600]

We are going to Roatan.....do I just say...take m e to the beach in West Bay, or is this a particular beach?

[@JfCLA]

This is the main beach at West Bay. You walk through the resort to get to it. The best snorkeling is towards the left of the beach :)

[@christineblack4654]

see alllll tha sand on the coral everywere. wow it's sooo bad. that's from all the people walking and snorkeling around. it will get worst and worst and all die very soon.

[@JfCLA]

Hey, thanks for the view! Not sure about that, though. That sand is mostly from Parrot fish poop. Parrot fish create about 80% of the sand in and around coral reefs :)

[@MaiNguyen-kp6ky]

HI DID SOMEONE GUIDE YOU OUT THERE OR DID YOU TAKE AN EXCURSION?

[@JfCLA]

This was straight from the beach. I did take a couple of excursions in Roatan, though. Check my playlist

[@tereses2100]

I really like your voice. You speak clearly, and it's easy to follow you. Video is great also.

[@JfCLA]

Thank you! 😃

[@Grateful2Exist]

Looks amazing, going in a few weeks! Will I know where from the beach to go to find the best parts of the reef where the best marine life is? Just swim out until I find the reef and I'll find the good spots or should I go to the left or right parts, etc? Thank you for any details!

[@JfCLA]

At West Bay, go in on the left end of the beach and it’s pretty immediate that you hit the coral. Same in West End. Have you seen my other Roatan videos?

[@Grateful2Exist]

I have not but I'll check them out. Can't wait to see all of the marine life! Thanks!@@JfCLA

[@JfCLA]

We took a boat ride to a couple other spots, like Pigeon Cay, a small spit of sand a couple hours away with incredible coral. Also, West End Divers offers to take snorkelers out on their dive boats for cheap. It was like $15 a person when we did it. Great snorkeling out there on the Blue Wall

[@Grateful2Exist]

Nice! I'm taking notes, thank you!@@JfCLA

[@bartholomewnathaniel807]

Great photography! Yea- I will be taking my Filipina wife to once again visit Roatan and West End (Last time was 1994!) For in the Philippines from what I have seen- their water is clean and clear but No fish- 'fished out'! For with 110 million people and too many of them depending upon the local fish for living- its a sad situation!

[@JfCLA]

I’ve heard Palawan is nice

[@kaihilbourne3105]

In the video are you snorkeling from a boat or beach?

[@JfCLA]

From the beach in West Bay

[@timdiehl5507]

How far from the shore were you in the deeper area?

[@JfCLA]

Maybe 150 yards. The coral starts pretty close to shore near the left side. So you cruise over that for about 100-200 yards (depending on the shape of the reef and where you are), and you'll start hitting those areas. A bit further out and there's an actual wall (drop off). I went out there on a boat with West End Divers, and it was pretty nice. They only charged $15 to take us out - Thanks for the visit to my channel!

[@timdiehl5507]

@@JfCLA thank you! Anything sketchy to look out for? Strong currents, shallow areas, etc? Or pretty chill all the way out and back? I've snorkeled quite a bit but I'm bringing my fiancée.

[@JfCLA]

@@timdiehl5507 We spent a week in January and went here probably 3 times, and there was never anything that would cause a concern for any level of snorkeler. Totally chill, and usually from 3'-6' depth. Perfect conditions. As far as currents, no. However, if you take my suggestion about the boat out to the wall, that was a bit choppy and the water did move us around a bit, and I could imagine someone without experience may not like it. I was with a 15 year old, and they were fine. I only went out there one time, so not sure if that's typical or not. My wife weighs about 100lbs (strong swimmer), and she had no problems out at the wall at all.

[@sopad4629]

Thanks for sharing

[@JfCLA]

My pleasure!

[@DJONDOtravel]

отлично

[@JfCLA]

Спасибо!