Butcher’s Bank
One of the remarkable aspects of Butcher's Bank is the vast expanse of pristine sandy patches to the east and south. These areas are adorned with coral heads, bommies, and soft branching corals, making it a paradise for underwater photography enthusiasts.
As you move towards the shallow mooring, you'll encounter a unique rubble field running along the inner reef wall. This band of rubble creates a picturesque scene and extends to a deeper sandy plateau just off the reef wall, ranging from approximately 55 ft / 16 m to 73 ft / 22 m. This area is abundant with coral heads, small bommies, and is a preferred spot for Southern stingrays. The sloping reef wall adjacent to the sandy patch teems with vibrant marine life, including eagle rays foraging in the shallow sand. Trunkfish and cowfish are frequently spotted on the wall, while drum fish are plentiful. Exploring further, divers may uncover fascinating relics like a coral-encrusted vintage sewing machine from the 50s and a hidden "pirate" anchor concealed beneath a magnificent coral coating.
With a visibility of 22m and a maximum depth of 20m, Butcher's Bank caters to divers of all levels, including beginners. Located near Bite on the Beach at Kai Linda Way, West Bay, Roatán, Bay Islands, 33166, Honduras, this captivating dive site promises an unforgettable underwater experience.
Diving Conditions Score for Butcher’s Bank
Good diving conditions!
The score is based on a calculation of the current weather and sea conditions.
Dive Site Overview for Butcher’s Bank
Depth
20m
Visibility
22m
Experience Level
Weather Conditions for Butcher’s Bank
Wave Height
1.34m
Wind Speed
37 m/s
Water Temp
28.7°C
Visibility
28.12km
Cloud Cover
1%
Wave Period
5.05s
Air Temperature
27.9°C
Precipitation
0 mm
Dive Score Chart for Butcher’s Bank
Best time to dive: 15:00 with score 7.340133333333334/10. Water conditions: Waves 1.2m, Wind 30 m/s.Best night dive time: 18:00 with score 6.7861666666666665/10.
Chart showing hourly dive conditions including wave height, wind speed, water temperature, and visibility throughout the day.
Optimal diving conditions at Butcher’s Bank are affected by daylight hours. Sunrise occurs at 06:00 and sunset at 18:00, which impacts visibility and water temperature for scuba diving and snorkeling.
Score: 7.3/10
Waves: 1.2m (5s), Wind: 30 m/s
Score: 6.8/10
Waves: 1.22m, Wind: 35 m/s
Seasonal Analysis for Butcher’s BankAlpha
Historical patterns and best seasons for diving at Butcher’s Bank
The dive score combines all factors to rate overall diving conditions throughout the year. Higher scores indicate better diving conditions.
Monthly Dive Score Analysis - Seasonal Diving Conditions
Higher values indicate better diving conditions
Seasonal DiveScore Chart
This chart displays monthly diveScore data throughout the year, showing seasonal patterns. The data is presented as a bar chart with an overlaid line graph.Dive scores range from 1 to 10, with 10 being optimal conditions.
Higher values indicate better diving conditions
Best Season for Butcher’s Bank
Winter
Winter offers the best overall diving conditions with calmer seas and better visibility, despite cooler temperatures.
Best Months for Butcher’s Bank
Ideal Conditions for Butcher’s Bank
Water Temp
21.6°C / 70.9°F
June
Visibility
20.1m / 65.9ft
May
Wave Height
0.2m / 0.7ft
January
Wave Period
8.0s
January
Seasonal Insights for Butcher’s Bank
Butcher’s Bank shows typical northern hemisphere patterns with June being the warmest month (21.6°C) and December the coldest (17.6°C). The calmest conditions typically occur in January with average wave heights of 0.2m and wave periods of 8.0s. The most comfortable wave conditions are in January with a low wave steepness ratio, creating gentler swells. January offers the longest wave periods (8.0s), creating more comfortable and predictable conditions for boat entries and exits. Ocean currents are slowest in January (0.5m/s) and strongest in January (0.5m/s). January is usually the driest month with 0.0mm of precipitation. For beginners, the best time to visit would be during January to March, when ocean conditions are calmer with long-period waves and currents are typically weaker. Experienced divers might enjoy the challenges and potentially better visibility during the shoulder seasons, with moderate currents that can improve marine life encounters.
Last updated: 1 min. ago - Jun 21, 2026