Honduras is the second largest country in Central America. her lands span the bridge that connects the north and south American continents, the Caribbean to the Pacific.

On the Caribbean side are the Bay Islands, Roatan, Utila and Guanaja which are ringed by reasonable coral reefs. Although the Caribbean doesn't have the quantity of marine species that are found in some areas of the world, there are more species around the Bay Islands than in any other part due to their location and the geography of Central America.

The reefs' basic structure of hard coral is topped by a layer of soft corals or sea plumes. Fish species range from angels and butterflyfish to diamond head blennies. There are many interesting critters like the tiny cryptic teardrop crab and longsnout seahorses.

Rare bluebell tunicates are one of the most colourful sights as hundreds of tiny tunicates cluster together in a display of 'flowers'. There are several accessible wrecks around the group, mostly ships that were sunk to create artificial reefs.

The three different Bay Islands have distinctive personalities, although the diving is simliar. Roatan is busy with lots of American influence while Utila is more "local" and a well trodden route for budget travellers. Guanaja is the quietest of the islands and the most sophisticated, although all three are worth visiting.