Roatan Diving, Bay Islands, Honduras | Scuba Diving, PADI, Dive Sites

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The uniqueness of West End Divers arises from its staff. This team of dedicated professional divers has created a fantastic environment so our guests will have an enjoyable and memorable diving vacation. Coming from all parts of the world, with great experiences diving in other locations, these individuals have their love of the water in common. Let them share their knowledge of Roatan’s reef — you will never want to leave.

Managers

West End Divers is fortunate to have two highly committed and enthusiastic managers. Sharing the responsibility of ensuring you will have outstanding diving, they rotate their position every few months.

Mel Adams

Mel is from Western Australian and has been on Roatan for five years. As an instructor Mel has taught hundreds of people the fun side of diving. Her love of diving is infectious, and her keen eyes for the creatures that inhabit the reef make diving with Mel a rare treat. When she is not on Roatan, she is completing her university degree in Perth.

Cassondra Williams

Arriving from Chicago via Southern California, Cass has been on Roatan for three years. As many who now reside on the island, she came on vacation and never left. Known for her energy and organizational skills, Cass will make you smile and laugh at the smallest thing. Cass has been a flight attendant for a major airline for fourteen years, and when she is not on the island she is still helping people have great vacations.

Instructors

Christianne Etches

Christi was born in Montserrat while her Canadian father and Honduran mother were there on business. She grew up on Roatan, and bears the distinction of being the first Honduran woman instructor from the island. Christi’s dry wit and caring personality will provide you with many smiles and double-takes. She is particularly good working with younger divers and demonstrates a remarkable patience during the learning process.

Laura McCrave

Laura is English, and has stated she is “certainly no Rose”. Not only a great scuba diver – Laura enjoys free diving as well. She has been an instructor in Spain, Tanzania, and around the Red Sea. She brings strength and keenness for diving to her instruction and like the rest of us is glad to be on Roatan. Ask her about the multitude of “useless” words and phrases she knows in a variety of languages. It is pretty impressive!

Shona Patterson

From the United Kingdom, Shona has worked as an instructor around the world. She has taught in Egypt and Jordan, and absolutely loved the Red Sea. As an individual highly aware of the need for underwater conservation, Shona worked at a Marine Conservation Base in Mexico and brings that experience to the island. She has been on Roatan since October 2007 and after traveling for eight years has decided to make this home. Shona is a effective and diligent instructor, and will ensure that you will learn the best possible diving skills.

Divemaster

Mickey Charteris

Mickey hails from South Africa and has travelled extensively throughout the world. He has been living on Roatan for nine years and has decided to dedicate his time to his real passion — diving. As an avid underwater photographer, Mickey has won awards for his high-quality photographs; in fact, most of the pictures on the West End Divers website were taken by Mickey. He leads dives every day and has come to love the coral reef, and as he says, “I see new things on every dive.”

Boat Captains

The extremely competent West End Divers captains, bring decades of local knowledge and experience to the dive operation. They are all divers, are medically trained, and each is proud of their boats and the services they provide.

Jose Cruz

A native Honduran, Jose has been on Roatan for nearly ten years. It is Jose’s goal to ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable diving experience. With a shy grin, and an easy demeanor, Jose exudes the confidence and competence necessary to take you to any of the numerous dive sites on the island.

Samuel Matute

Sam was born on the mainland, but has old family roots on Roatan. A captain for eight years, Sam has been with West End Divers for nearly three years. Well qualified to operate any one of the four boats, Sam’s easy-going manner, capability, and dedication is unparalleled.

The Rest of Us

John Hart

Originally from Northern California, John learned to dive in the Monterey Bay more than 25 years ago. After a stint in the Navy, he migrated to the Northwest where he began his diving career. John is a PADI Master Instructor with more than 5000 dives and 20 years of teaching experience. Although John is generally busy caring for and maintaining the equipment, he does most of the more technical instruction. He has been a D.O.T. hydrostatic tester for more than 18 years, was an IDC Staff Instructor, is a DSAT Gas Blender Instructor, and is certified to repair all major brands of scuba equipment.

Gary Carlson

“Bugs” is a former migrant industrial builder, machinist, and cold water diver, who has succumbed to his personal tropical epiphany. When you first contact West End Divers, Bugs is the one who will respond. As to be expected, among his skills, Bugs has a keenness for technical diving. The most serious member of the team, he will ensure that you receive the most professional and highest level of service possible.

Jim Varner

A native of Phoenix, Jim is a former corporate type who finally gave in to the enchantment of Caribbean life after learning to dive in the frigid waters of the Puget Sound. Jim is the man behind the scenes. He is responsible for the dealings with the local government, marketing, finance, and helps our divers topside. Dive groups, couples, or if you're just passing through, Jim will be glad to help.