Honduras is the second largest country in Central America, its landmass spanning the bridge that connects the north and south American continents and reaching from the Caribbean Sea to the Pacific Ocean.

The principal dive sites are on the Caribbean side around the Bay Islands, which are ringed by some pretty coral reefs. The westernmost island is Utila, which has developed a very laid-back lifestyle and is a well-trodden route for budget travellers.

The basic structure of the reefs is of hard corals topped by a layer of soft corals or sea plumes. North of the island, there are walls and drop-offs, while on the south and just offshore from the main town, the reefs are gentler and sloping. Fish species range from angels and butterflyfish to grunts and blennies. There are many interesting critters like the tiny cryptic teardrop crab and mantis shrimp. In the bay there is also the Halliburton Wreck, which was scuttled in 1998 to create an artificial reef.