Honduras Roatan Island
Carambola Botanical Gardens
An Historical Perspective

Over the years many Roatan visitors
have enjoyed Carambola Botanical Gardens.
How did the Gardens come to exist?

by: Bill Brady

Bill Brady in his Baseball uniform app. 1974

William Parks Brady arrived on Roatan as a Peace Corps Volunteer from Ramseur, North Carolina, in February of 1971.

He had recently graduated in Architecture from North Carolina State University & while serving in Roatan he helped design & build schools, church's, municipal water systems, bridges etc. He also organized a Little League Baseball League - the first ever on Roatan.

By the end of his Peace Corps Service he had decided to make Roatan his home. It was obvious he had fallen in love with the island & its people.

A few years later he met & married a young lady from Utila, Irma Ramos, and their life on Roatan began.

During this time Roatan had become well known as a Diving Destination - Scuba Divers came from all parts of the world to enjoy all the wonders of the Coral Reef.

Carambola Mtn West Side Anthony Key mid 1970's

View from Carambola Mtn of Reef and AKR early 1980's

Brady had also been amazed by the reef but Roatan's physical and natural beauty had captivated him from the very beginning. The forested hill sides, fertile valleys, and majestic panoramic views had made their mark... Roatan was just as beautiful above the water as it was below! (View from the top of Carambola Mountain.)

The idea was born... and that idea was to plan and develop an area that would showcase the natural beauty of Roatan.

The idea would be called "Carambola Botanical Gardens"

The first sign for Carambola Gardens around 1985

Added inspiration came in the early 80,s when Brady and his wife made several trips to The Lancetilla Botanical Gardens in Tela, on the north coast of Honduras.

This experimental garden had been established by The United Fruit Company in the 1920's and the man in charge was Wilson Popenoe. He traveled the world bringing back large quantities and varieties of tropical fruit trees. Lancetilla soon became a mecca for botanists from all over the world. Later Popenoe would help establish The World Renowned Agricultural School in Zamorrano, near Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras. The accomplishments of Wilson Popenoe became an inspiration for Brady. Carambola Gardens would also be an Educational Center.

The property that had been designated for the garden was in Sandy Bay on the North West protected side of Roatan near Anthony's Key Resort. It covers more that 30 acres. The area could be considered a mini or micro Eco System within the context of the overall Eco System of Roatan and The Bay Islands in general. The hills and ridges that surround the garden area, form a valley, and they also provide protection from the South East Trade Winds and the storms that come from the North. With the Sandy Loam soil condition surrounding the creek area it became like a natural green house, providing a prefect tropical growing condition.

Carambola Gardens Pathways and Bridge early 1980's

Brady laid out all the pathways for the garden - first deciding upon a main trail and then weaving secondary trails on both sides of the main trail. The main trail parallels the creek that runs through the valley. Bridges were constructed to connect the walkways that led the visitors through the Garden areas. Visitors could see flowering plants, ferns, spices, fruit trees such as cashew and Carambola, hardwoods including the world famous Honduran Mahogany, and Roatan's most extensive Orchid collection.

Carambola Gardens Trumpet Bush Tecoma Stans

Today the Gardens offer a wide variety of activities including hiking, bird watching, wild life and scenic photography, nature studies, and of course relaxation - and as planned has become an Environmental Education center for the children of the Bay Islands...

Carambola Gardens

Where we showcase nature at its finest!
Our eco-friendly tours are a must when
visiting Roatan Island.

"Take A Walk On The Wild Side"

Thank you Bill and Irma for sharing your passion for the Gardens with us! We appreciate the article and photo album you so generously supplied for our readers. It will be exciting for our readers to compare the pictures of old to the overwhelming beauty they will see today!

Blessings to you....Bob and Lynne Millsaps

Carambola Botanical Gardens

Roatan Photo
of the week
2009 | 2008

of the Month
2009 | 2008

Picture Gallery