5 Reasons to do your PADI IDC in Roatan

Courses & SpecialtiesProfessional Training

Mar 24

Have you ever dreamed of living on a tropical island? Your PADI IDC could be your passport to change your life and live the dream.

The Instructor Development Course (IDC) is one of the final steps between you and your dream career, so yes, it’s kind of a big deal.

Choosing the right dive center and location matters. You want a place that matches your vision, whether that’s the type of diving, the lifestyle, accessibility, or affordability.

You might be considering a few destinations, but Roatán should definitely be on your list. Here are five reasons to do your IDC in Roatan:

1. Roatan has everything you need

Located about 40 miles (65 km) off the northern coast of Honduras, Roatan is the largest and most populated of the Bay Islands.

The Bay Islands, which include Roatan, Utila, and Guanaja, are a string of beautiful Caribbean islands that run along the edge of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, the second largest reef system in the world! We’re basically the Caribbean version of the Great Barrier Reef.

When people consider the Bay Islands as a destination to complete their professional dive training, they are normally torn between Utila and Roatan. To determine which island is right for you, consider the differences between the two:

Utila is a smaller island that is saturated with backpackers and young, transient travelers. Void of cars, the mode of transportation includes motorcycles, scooters, or tuktuks. With a cheaper cost of living and dive shop on every corner, it is easy to see why Utila is a popular choice for Divemaster training and IDCs between backpackers. Because of the demographic this island attracts, Utila is also known as the “party island.”
In comparison, Roatan is twice the size of Utila. Boasting larger infrastructure, more accessible beaches, and closer dive sites. Most people get around Roatan by colectivo taxis, public bus, or personal cars/motorcycles/scooters. While the cost of living is not as cheap, there are more options available. Thanks to the wide range of demographics on Roatan - from young travelers to older expats - there are also a multitude of different activities to enjoy. Here, it’s easy to find your niche and create a small community for yourself.

We love Utila for a short stay! But in our opinion, Roatan is the better option if you are looking to build a life. Of the two, which would you prefer - Roatan or Utila?

2. The Roatan Lifestyle

Dive, eat, sleep, repeat. This is the lifestyle of a Dive Pros on Roatan. And while the days are quiet (we’re all at work!) the towns come alive at night time. Most dive professionals make a home in West End, which could be considered the social hub for expats and tourists on Roatan. Here we have an abundance of dive shops, restaurants, bars, and activities. Think laid back beach bars, volleyball, yoga classes, and local cuisine.

You’ll spend your days diving, and by the end of each day, you’ll find yourself surrounded by friends in this small dive community, sharing a beer and watching an amazing sunset.

But the lifestyle on Roatan is not limited to the West End. Days off can be spent learning to kiteboard in Camp Bay, hiking the trails at Port Royal National Park, exploring the reef on the South Side with Barefoot Divers, or kayaking to the Point in West Bay. Whatever it is you enjoy, on Roatan you have the opportunity to make more time for it.

3. The Cost Of Living

Roatan enjoys both a low cost of living as well as an easy to navigate public transportation system. Rentals range anywhere from $500 to $800 per month, while colectivo taxis are able to take you wherever you need to go, with most rides costing between $2to $10. The town is sprinkled with small fruit stands and shops to provide you with the basics, while two larger grocery stores are located between 10 and 20 minutes outside of town. West End, Sandy Bay, and Flowers Bay are all very affordable place to live, with a variety of food and accommodation options to cover the full range of budgets and lifestyles.

At Roatan Divers, we believe that your professional training should feel like more than just a course, it should be an unforgettable experience that connects people, builds confidence, and creates lifelong memories.

That’s why we’ve designed the Roatan Divers House: a comfortable, shared home exclusively for our Divemasters and IDC Candidates, just 5 minutes away from the dive center.

In terms of currency, both USD and HNL are accepted, as long as the US bills are free from damage. Several ATMs can be found in West End, as well as in the grocery store in Coxen Hole. Credit card is accepted in some establishments, while many others will accept PayPal. You do not have to choose between beauty, affordability, and convenience when you choose to do your IDC in Roatan.

4. Flights And Visa Requirements

With over 14 direct flights to Juan Manuel Galvez International Airport (RTB), Roatan is an easy destination to get to from the US, Canada, and Central America. Air fares vary greatly depending on the time of year, but you could expect to spend anywhere from $600 to $1,200 on a roundtrip ticket to get here.

But the flight is only one piece of the puzzle! Travelers also need to consider visas for the country they’re visiting. Here in Roatan, which is a part of Honduras, tourists are given a 90 day visa to stay on the Island, with an option to extend the visa by 30 days. Giving you plenty of time to complete your professional dive training and explore all the Island has to offer.

5. Roatan Is A Marine Protected Area

Roatan is part of the Bay Islands National Marine Park (BINMP), the largest marine protected area in Honduras, boasting approximately 650,000 hectares of protected waters. Roatan itself is home to the Roatan Marine Park, which works closely with individuals, communities, businesses, foundations, and governments to keep our oceans clean, our coral vibrant, and our community healthy.

Thanks to the hard work of all these individuals, the Roatan Marine Park is able to provide alternative livelihoods outside of fishing to locals, implement conservation initiatives such as the Coral Restoration Program, and provide education opportunities to both children and adults. Choosing to complete your IDC in Roatan also gives you the opportunity to get involved with these programs.

All of these efforts have a direct impact on the health and biodiversity of our reef - which is not an easy feat when compared to the rest of the reefs in the Caribbean or the Mesoamerican Reef as a whole. All that being said, what can you expect from diving in Roatan? Canyons, drop offs, sandy patches, wrecks - oh my! When diving in Roatan, you can expect to gain a variety of experience thanks to our diverse dive sites. And when you dive with us, the majority of these dive sites are a quick boat ride away.