Islands of Honduras - Legendary Island Roatan

Vacationing in Roatan (Article and photos by: Francis Swarts)

Looking for an interesting, out-of-the-ordinary vacation destination? Roatan, the biggest of the three Bay Islands of Honduras (the other two being Guanaja and Utila), is just the place for you. What can one typically expect to experience in Roatan? In the scuba diving world Roatan is famous, almost legendary, offering one of the biggest barrier reef systems in the world to explore.

For the average scuba diver, this in itself, is more than enough reason to visit. Thousands of scuba divers travel to Roatan annually for this experience alone.

Should one, however, choose to take some time away from diving to experience other aspects of the island, there is much to be seen. From interacting with iguanas at Arch’s Iguana and Marine Park, to visiting Carambola Gardens in order to experience the exquisite floral variety and beauty of Roatan, to a walk through the butterfly enclosures at Roatan Butterfly Garden, there is indeed a whole world to experience on this tiny island. Many of the main attractions are to be found along the main road that runs from the East to the West End of the island.

Carambola Gardens

On your way to the West End of Roatan, stop off at Carambola Gardens, across the road from Anthony’s Key Resort. Many of the plant and flower species native to this part of the world are on display there. Some parts of the garden offer very well manicured walkways and flower exhibitions while another part of the garden is in a natural jungle-like state with some walking trails that lead to the top of Carambola Mountain. From the top of the densely forested Carambola Mountain you will have a breath-taking view of Anthony’s Key Resort with people and dolphins frolicking in the crystal-clear waters off Anthony’s Key.

Take a trip out to Arch’s in the vicinity of French Harbor and experience Iguana’s close up. Try and be there at feeding time to gain some insight into the feeding and social habits of these amazing creatures that appear somewhat monster like and yet are very docile and peaceful.

Roatan Butterfly Garden

In this garden, stroll amongst several of the native butterfly species in an aviary-like setting. Several bird-species, native to Central America, are also to be seen at the Butterfly Garden. The most impressive and beautiful of these is the Scarlet Macaw, the national bird of Honduras, which may easily be considered to be one of if not the most beautiful bird in the world. A large, parrot-like bird, it sports an impressive array of bright red, blue, green and yellow feathers. Another gorgeous bird from Central America, the Keel-billed Toucan, is also on display with its very brightly colored feathers and over-sized, multi-colored bill.

Anthony’s Key Resort

A dolphin encounter is something that most people can only dream of ever experiencing. A visit to Anthony’s, close to the West End of the island, makes it possible to experience a swim with dolphins either in their enclosures or out in the open ocean scuba diving at sixty feet alongside these highly agile swimmers. Prior to scuba diving with these creatures, divers get to meet them and are able to interact with them at very close range, even touching them to allow both divers and dolphins to become familiar and at ease with one another.

West End Diving

Interested in scuba diving? That is after all the main reason for many a visit to Roatan! The West End holds as many dive operators as one island can hold. All of the dive operators will be willing to discuss the packages and specials that they offer. Find an operator that meets your expectations in terms of safety and equipment and stay with them throughout your vacation. The more dives one undertakes with a particular operator the better the deal will be that one can negotiate with them. When diving with your own equipment, another benefit of diving with the same operator throughout your stay is that you should typically be able to leave your equipment in storage with them. This makes life so much more convenient when one can simply leave all of your equipment at an operator’s facilities, rather than having to carry everything back and forth on every single dive.

Sandy Bay and Sundancer Cabanas

Explore the immediate vicinity off the Sundancer pier out to the reef, snorkeling. Here you can find anything from tiny Spotted Cleaner Shrimps clinging to anemones to Spotted Eagle Rays rising from the blue depths of the channel that leads out to beyond the reef. With the protection offered by the reef, this area between the beach and the reef is the ideal location in which to have young children and insecure swimmers experience some of the amazing wonders of the ocean without being exposed to waves or surges of any kind. Here an abundance of coral can be found with hundreds of fish species playing hide and seek amongst the corals.

Many of the cabanas at Sundancer are available for rent year round and make for an ideal base from which to explore Roatan. Bob and Lynne Millsaps manage some of the cabanas on behalf of their respective owners and live on the island permanently and as such are very knowledgeable regarding local events, customs and traditions. They are also very willing to work with you in planning your trip beforehand and can make many recommendations in order to get your trip organized. From the outset we discussed almost every aspect of our visit with them and they were always very willing and keen to discuss possibilities and offer recommendations.

Recalling all of the fun and enjoyment that we had
makes me think that I need to speak to
Bob and Lynne about the family’s next trip to Roatan!

View a slide show of Francis Swarts Roatan photos...

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