Located about 65 kilometres (40 miles) off the Northern Coast of Honduras, the Bay Islands group (Las Islas de la Bahia) consists of 3 main Islands (Roatan, Guanaja, and Utila), 3 smaller islands (Barbareta, Morat, and Helene), and 65 smaller cays. Between these islands and the mainland are the Cayos Cochinos islands, which are well known for their pristine reefs and macro life.

  History of the Bay Islands and Roatan

The Bay Islands have a very colourful history. Originally populated by the Paya Indians when mainland Honduras was under the control of the Mayan’s, it was discovered by the outside world by Christopher Columbus in 1502. The islands remained under Spanish influence for many years until England established a colony on the island in 1638. Thus began a struggle for possession of the islands which lasted into the 19th century. During the 18th and 19th centuries, a wide variety of people migrated to the islands, including some famous pirates. Indeed, the pirate Henry Morgan used Roatan as his base for many years and the remains of his fort can be seen at Old Port Royal. Rumour has it there are still several hoards of pirate gold hidden on the island!!

In 1798 the Garifuna (black Caribs from St. Vincent) were marooned on Roatan. Many eventually migrated to the mainland, however some stayed and settled the village of Punta Gorda. The village is still inhabited by the Garifuna and many of its inhabitants speak an African dialect.
                                                 

 About Roatan
Roatan is the largest of the Bay Islands. It is often described as the Caribbean of 20 years ago, remaining relatively unspoilt in comparison with other more well-known islands. As well as being host to the Caribbean’s most diverse reef life, Roatan has a wealth of natural diversity on the surface too.

Island life is very casual so bring plenty of t-shirts, shorts and bathing suits and your beach towel! You may also wish to bring a pair of long pants or a dress for the evening.

The official currency on the island is the Lempira; however US dollars and traveller’s cheques (American Express) are widely accepted.

Although Spanish is the national language English is widely spoken in most areas.

West Bay has one of the most beautiful beaches in the world with soft white sand and crystal clear waters.

The West End is the life and soul of the party with plenty of souvenir shops restaurants, cafes and bars to keep you entertained during your visit. Here you also find a wide range of accommodations for the budget conscious traveller. It is also the main area catering for divers wishing to experience Roatan's amazing reefs.

Coxen Hole and French Harbour are the main towns on Roatan and are the places to visit for banks, larger supermarkets, pharmacies etc.

Getting Here
Flights to the islands from the USA are very convenient. Continental Airlines now has direct flights from Houston, Newark and Miami , as does TACA International. There is also a Delta flight from Atlanta. There are numerous flights available from San Pedro Sula, with many major airlines operating from the USA and Europe . Recently, Spirit Air has started budget flights from Fort Lauderdale to San Pedro Sula.

                                                  Climate
Daytime temperatures are usually around the mid-80’s F (27-30 °C) and nightime temperatures are in the upper 60’s F (19-22 °C). Tradewinds provide some respite from the heat and humidity, especially on the south side of the island, or up on the ridge.

There are two main seasons – wet and dry! The rainy season is in December and January, but even then there is seldom a day when the sun doesn’t show itself. During the rest of the year it is typically sunny and hot, with a few showers to cool you off, however briefly.

What to bring:  

Topside:
Sunscreen is essential and if you are susceptible to insect bites then insect repellent is advisable. The sun can get quite hot so it’s a good idea to have a t-shirt for covering up and a hat.

Underwater:
Roatan enjoys clear, warm waters. In the dry season a 2mm wetsuit will be enough for most people, in the cooler wet season a 3mm may be enough. Reef Gliders has a full range of 3mm wetsuits for hire.

Underwater Photographers:
It’s a good idea to being plenty of film and spare batteries as it is much cheaper than buying them on the island.

Money:
There are a few banks in the main town of Coxen Hole but queues can be long. There are now two ATM’s in West End and one of them offers both US dollars and Honduran Lempiras. We recommend bringing the majority of your money in the form of US dollars and American Express travellers cheques and locking anything that you don’t need in your hotel safe. Whilst crime on the island is relatively uncommon you need to be aware that Honduras is a poor country and as a ‘rich’ tourist you are potentially a target for opportunist thefts. Use common sense, don’t display expensive jewellery or carry your cash in a hip belt in full view and you should be fine.