About 40 miles from the mainland, Roatan is world-renowned for its diving options – and perhaps the best stop for someone looking to see what Central America has to offer beneath the surface. Roatan is positioned on the second-largest barrier reef in the world. Divers to the area are spoiled by a wide variety of scuba experiences, from coral gardens and caverns to walls and wrecks like the El Aguila and Odyssey. And it’s all super accessible, located just a few minutes from the shore. “Here on Roatan it’s pretty much like honeymoon diving, really simple and really easy,” said Roatan Marine Park Patrols and Infrastructure Coordinator Nicholas Bach. “Usually the visibility is remarkably good, there aren’t really any strong currents to name of, and the dive sites are all really close by.” For those travelers that prefer not to dive snorkeling is a great option, you can take your fins and mask to the end of the pier and hop right in. the Beach is also a great alternative it is often ranked among the finest beaches in the world Meanwhile, other parts of the island offer a quiet refuge from the crowds: “The nice thing about Roatan is you’ve got beaches and other places that are more secluded. So the benefit of being here is you can really choose how active or isolated you want to be,” added Bach. Honduras Tourism Board shares highlights of sublime diving, abundant wildlife, archeological wonders, and more to inspire travelers seeking one-of-a-kind bucket list experiences in the new year. Dive the Largest Coral Reef in the Americas For travelers seeking underwater adventures, Honduras offers plenty of opportunities as home to the largest coral reef in the Americas. The vibrant Mesoamerican Barrier Reef hugs the Bay Islands just off the mainland with 700 miles of colorful corals and more than 500 species of fish. SCUBA-certified sightseers to Roatán are invited to take part in the Coral Restoration Program at Roatán Marine Park, a community-based non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of Honduras’ marine and coastal ecosystems. From vibrant coral, massive sponges, and peaceful eel gardens to schools of tropical fish, fleets of eagle rays, and sea turtles, an underwater wonderland awaits divers in Honduras' famed Bay Islands. The Bay Islands are famous amongst scuba divers and snorkelers of all skill levels thanks to the spectacular reef and its close proximity to shore. The three famous dive spots in the Bay Islands – Utila, Roatán and Guanaja archipelagos – invite intrepid divers to discover underwater worlds, swim with whale sharks and explore hard and soft coral reefs.

Local Mangrove tours are very popular, there are 4 types of Mangroves in the area Black Mangrove, White Mangroves, Red Mangroves, Button wood Mangroves.These trees have the ability to survive in the salty inter-tidal area by the seacoast. Red mangroves colonize the seaward fringe. These give way to muddy zone of Black mangroves and eventually stretch to the land where White mangroves and Button wood dominate.Mangrove forest provide a vital service by protecting the coast from hurricane and storm damage. They stabilize the shoreline and trap river sediments, preventing the mud from being deposited on the coral reefs. Mangrove leaves, nectar and fruit, feed a variety of animals above the water, Decomposing leaves in the water feed an entire different ecosystem. Mangroves serve as important nursery grounds for many marine animals, including valuable species like bonefish, snappers, lobsters, conchs, and shrimps. The Mangrove tour feels magical with a mystery in the shadows and around every turn. You can imagine how it use to be when indingenous people lived here and then when the pirates came and hid along the coast. Many say there is still buried treasure in the hills of Roatan. There are many guides that provide Mangrove tours through the area but our caretaker George has been guiding tours through the Mangroves for many years and is one of the best. He has many stories about the mangroves and the area he grew up in.

From French Harbor the road cuts inland along a central ridge to give superb views of both the north and south coasts of the island. After about 14km the road reaches Oak Ridge a small seaside community that lies on the south side of Roatan heading east. The scenery surrounding this part of the island is very much portrait-like, highlighted by a backdrop of interlaced hills that converge with the sea and meet with a bounty of brightly painted wooden houses, suspended on stilts, and clustered side by side – an image that definitely takes you back to the Roatan of yesteryear. A small sea side community a fishing port Fishing used to be the focal point of this town and its surrounding areas, still evidenced by the cluster of creatively named commercial fishing boats seen docked throughout the bay. There are some nice beaches to the east of town, accessible by boat from the main dock or walking down the path from our home to a public beach. Most people travel by boat to nearby communities through the mangroves. Our home can only be reached by boat it’s a five minute ride that allows you to see Oakridge and Oakridge Cay the way the locals see Oakridge from the water. Looking up at the brightly colored homes where kids are playing and dogs are enjoying the sun. A place where the hills are so lush and green you can imagine them alive. A gateway that lets you know you are entering a different world one that is in rhythm with the ocean.

Located roughly 60 km (37 miles) off the northern coast of Honduras, the Bay Islands are primarily made up of three larger islands: Roatán, Utila, and Guanaja. There are also more than 60 islets and keys, many of them uninhabited, plus the Cayos Cochinos archipelago closer to the mainland. The Marine scientific research station and the Marine Natural Monument, the laws prohibit all types of commercial fishing use of nets and traps within the park. The islands are surrounded by sandy beaches optimal for the nesting of the Carey sea turtle (Hawksbill). Some of the cays or atolls are privately owned, and in one of them there is a community of Garífuna fishermen where you can have lunch, and enjoy a tasty fish fried in coconut oil, accompanied with rice and beans, and banana slices. You can also enjoy the famous drink prepared with roots, leaves and bark of plants and liquor that has medicinal and aphrodisiac properties. Moreover, you can buy handicrafts made in your presence. In front of the cay you can enjoy a swim, and at the same time snorkel in its crystal-clear waters.

Fishing in Roatan is arguably the oldest industry on the island. There are world class fishing charters & anglers. Roatan is a mecca for not only deep sea fishing but fly fishing as well. Roatan is a premier saltwater flats fishing destination. You can fish for Bonefish and Permit and sometimes Tarpon and Snook. Roatan has healthy flats located on the east side of the island all around our home. In fact you can see the bonefish from our deck and the most productive flats are close by. We offer daily guided fishing, our guides are locals with years of experience and are committed to preserving the health of Roatan Flats. The boat ride to Roatan’s deep water drop off is so quick that you will be hooking fish 5 minutes from shore. We also offer fishing for Barracuda, Jacks, Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, Grouper, Tuna etc. There is many fishing opportunities in Roatan from Fly Fishing to Sword fishing catch and release tournaments. Our guides are experience with great reviews and we are committed to supporting the local economy. Roatan belongs to the International Game Fish Association (IGFA), and it holds its annual fishing tournament at the same time each year, on September 15th.The Roatan Fishing Tournament is a 100% and catch and release tournament. Reports indicate that catches are getting more plentiful and larger each year. The waters of Roatan are believed to be a nesting ground for the coveted Blue Marlin and every year, on September 15th, the hunt is on for bragging rights.