By 2014 I was hooked on diving and so I headed to Roatan Honduras to do my IDC at Barefoot Cay, whose home reef is Mary’s Place, often named one of the top dive sites in the world.

It has become legendary due to its stunning narrow canyons, created by prehistoric volcanic activity, that are teeming with life. Rare black coral, huge blue fans, green and gold sea rods and sea plumes like giant feathers.

Lots of barrels and tube sponges too – in fact every crevice and crack has something to reveal and with the light glittering through it, it is like exploring a fairy-tale.

As you swim between the sheer cliffs you can almost touch each side, and you wind yourself between three of these impressive fissures before popping over the top – one time I narrowly missed an eagle ray as I exited the maze.

The Author: Katie Stacey, Dive Instructor (Mary’s Place was her home reef during her IDC)