The Roatan Aggressor: Undercurrent 03/2025

The Roatan Aggressor

the farther from Roatan, the better the diving

from the March, 2025 issue of Undercurrent

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Dear Fellow Diver,

Second in length only to Australia's Great Barrier Reef, the 625-mile Mesoamerican Barrier Reef stretches from the northern tip of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, past Belize, to Honduras. Both the Roatan Aggressor and the Belize Aggressor IV operate on this reef system, about 100 miles apart. Curious about how the creatures and conditions might vary, I dived the Roatan reef section in late August and the Belize stretch in October. I found both Aggressor boats to have high standards for hospitality, food, divemasters' professionalism, briefings, and safety culture. While what I saw underwater differed considerably, my dive days were nearly identical on both craft.

It was Groundhog Day again. At about 5:15 a.m., just before daybreak, I wandered up to the dining room/lounge for coffee, a bagel, and a look at sea conditions. I checked my gear and suited up for the 5:45 briefing as the sun rose, and soon, I stepped off the transom into the Caribbean Sea. Returning an hour later, I took a quick hot shower, changed into dry clothes, and headed up for the 7:15 breakfast buffet: pancakes or French toast, eggs, sausage and/or bacon, yogurt, granola, fresh fruit, or a breakfast casserole. Then, I geared up for the next two dives at 9:00 a.m. and about 10:30. Afterward, I cleaned up for the 12:30 buffet lunch, which offered build-your-own hamburgers, fajitas, delicious soup, and other fare, and sumptuous desserts, while the captain moved the Aggressor to a different mooring. After the 1:30 briefing, I made two afternoon dives. Dinner came between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m., depending on whether the night dive would be before or after. Then, I cleaned up for socializing in the lounge or on the top deck. Beer, wine, and a few of the ship's select drinks were free, and they charge for better quality booze. Getting happy was encouraged. Getting soused was condemned. And then to bed for a sound sleep while the Aggressor motored to tomorrow's sites. Sunday through Friday, six weeks apart, I didn't have a moment to spare on board, so I relaxed underwater.

Even booking the trip was relaxing. The reservation office guides you in filling out online immigration forms (and helps you maneuver past immigration), provides airport and hotel transfers and special gear transportation, arranges side trips or overnights, and registers your diet preferences. They'll book your air if you want. Of course, a good dive travel agent will do the same....

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