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Information about Roatan in the
Bay Islands of Honduras
The Bay Islands are located approximately 40 miles North of Honduras in the
Western Caribbean. There are three islands, Utila, Roatan and Guanaja, as well as
numerous cays. Roatan is the largest, measuring 29 miles long and 2 miles
wide, with a total landmass of 49 square miles.
A tropical mountainous terrain overlooks the dramatic shoreline and the
sporadic beautiful sandy beaches. The awesome scenery is interrupted
occasionally by small fishing villages. Roatan has a mountainous
backbone that provides a splendid view from any point, and is totally
surrounded by coral reefs. Roatan is famous for the superb diving and
excellent fishing. This is not your typical over-commercialized
vacation spot.
The average temperature in Roatan year round is about 80º F, or 28º Celsius
with the trade winds providing a gentle breeze. The relative humidity
averages 72%. From March until October, the weather in Roatan can be
compared to that of Florida; lots of sun with occasional showers. During the
rest of the year it will rain more often but rain rarely compromises the
diving.
As for the modernization of Roatan, its electrical voltage is the same as in
the US - 110 volts AC - 60 cycles. Occasionally, as the power plants shift
their generators, the power may cut off. Most resorts have back-up
generators.
 Islanders speak both English and Spanish, and welcome all tourists.
The island has a modern airport, phones, faxes, internet and paved road. However,
Roatan is still laid-back! There are no shopping malls or fancy nightclubs.
What Roatan can offer are quiet mornings with a cup of coffee, relaxation by
the water with a tropical drink, visiting the local villages (still in their
natural, cultural setting), viewing the island's incredible vegetation and
wildlife, and, of course, diving or snorkeling!
The Reef
Just
a short distance off shore is the southern end of the world's second largest
barrier reef, which has made Roatan famous with divers. There is no better
place to dive than the crystal clear warm waters surrounding the Bay
Islands. Be among the first to explore the untouched virgin dive sites of
Roatan.
Surrounded by the Great Western Barrier Reef, Roatan's waters are full of
spires and towers of Star, Starlet, and Lettuce Corals, and the best
selection of sponges found anywhere in the Caribbean. You'll be delighted
with the seascape of overhangs, canyons, fissures, and maze of tunnels along
the walls of continuous reef. Excellent underwater visibility gives way to a
myriad of invertebrate and fish species.
The People
Many
cultures have inhabited these islands over the centuries - pirates, slaves
and British settlers who farmed to supply the ships that frequented the
area. Many of their descendants remain on the island today. Great Britain
gave up possession of the Islands in the 1860's. What you will find today is
an interesting mixture of Spanish, English, and Garifuna cultures.
Punta Gorda was the first Garifuna settlement in the Bay islands. As
the story goes, a group of slaves that were originally off-loaded here
during the heat of a battle (the Garifunas) later refused to leave the
island and go with the victors. Today these Garifunas still maintain their
own cultural identity and language.
Most people find that the islands seem more Caribbean than Honduran. All of
the Bay Island residents have blended together to create a unique and
friendly people who generally speak both English and Spanish.
On the "how to get here"
page you will find a map of Roatan. |
