As I’m writing, it is 26 degrees Fahrenheit (-3 Celsius) and wishing I was on a nice warm white sandy beach with clear turquoise blue water, and azure blue sky.  Parrots are singing, music is floating in the wind, palm trees swaying, and the sounds of people laughing hanging in the air.  I’m thinking of Roatan, a paradise in the Western Caribbean. I like to check  out TripAdvisor for reviews and recommendations .  Don’t worry if you do not know anyone on Roatan, you will soon meet the most wonderful people on the Island plus the many travelers that live and vacation there.  You will also meet people that keep going back year and year.  You are now asking yourself where is Roatan?

History – Roatan

The Paya Indians called Roatan their home for many years before Christopher Columbus discovered the Bay Islands of Honduras in the 1500’s.  With a rich history of pirating in the area Roatan became their hideout.  Pirates such as VanHorn, Coxen, Henry Morgan, Blackbeard to name a few where the ones in charge.   The pirates would venture out and plunder Spanish Galleons en-route to Spain loaded with gold and treasures.

Some literature has estimated that around the year 1700’s there were an estimate of 5,000 pirates living on Roatan and the Bay Islands.  By the late 1700’s the Spaniards killed or sold the pirates and took control of a new settlement called Port Royal.  The first settlement on Roatan.  By the 1790’s the British left Black Caribs on the island and this new settlement became Punta Gorda.  This new settlement called themselves Guarifuna, whose descendants still live there today.  Roatan was under British rule from 1700-1859 then returned to the Spanish Honduras.  Now lets take a look and find out where Roatan is located.


 

Location – Roatan

Roatan Island is located between Utila and Guanaja, and is the largest of Honduras Bay Islands in the Caribbean.  Approximately 48 miles long (77 km) and 5 miles wide (8 km), located on the second largest Barrier Reef System in the world.  Second only to Australia’s Barrier Reef System which is the largest in the world.  Roatan is a scuba diving paradise along with multiple cruise ships visiting the two ports daily.  The map will show you the location of the island of Roatan, towns, resorts, plus some scuba diving sites.

 

Roatan One of the Bay Islands in the Caribbean, Honduras - 1AdventureTraveler | Journey with me to this lush green island with white sand and beautiful fish in the crystal clear water. | caribbean | scuba diving | snorkeling | travel | scuba | beach | ocean |

West End Divers – West End, Roatan

Snorkel and Scuba Dive – Roatan

Take a plunge underwater to look for the Green Sea Turtles meandering, hear the large Parrot fish eating the coral, see the Squid scoot by, and the many colorful Fish like the Blue Tang or Angle Fish.  See the Spiny Lobsters, Jack Fish, Chubs, Barracuda, Long Snout Seahorse, Highhat’s, Porcupine Fish, Triggerfish, Sponges, Fans, beautiful Coral and so much more.  A scuba divers paradise.

Roatan One of the Bay Islands in the Caribbean, Honduras - 1AdventureTraveler | Journey with me to this lush green island with white sand and beautiful fish in the crystal clear water. | caribbean | scuba diving | snorkeling | travel | scuba | beach | ocean |

Ready to dive with Sueno Del Mar Dive Center – West End, Roatan

Dive and see Mandy’s Eel Garden then the large Green Moray that welcome you back from the open sea via the swim through arch that leads back to shore.  Keep your eyes open for the occasional Spotted Eagle Ray or a Whale Shark that might happen to swim by. Visit the Padi Dive shops like the West End Divers and sign up for the many dive sites that can  include some ocean wrecks.  Make sure to check out the map for some dive locations.

Roatan One of the Bay Islands in the Caribbean, Honduras - 1AdventureTraveler | Journey with me to this lush green island with white sand and beautiful fish in the crystal clear water. | caribbean | scuba diving | snorkeling | travel | scuba | beach | ocean |

Friends at Tita’s Pink Horse – West End Roatan

Adventure – Roatan

Life is an adventure so make the best of it.  As in the time my daughter, a close Roatan friend and myself were scuba diving next to a five foot grouper that was my size.  This grouper was staring at me curious wondering who am I, and all the while I’m starring at him with huge bulging eyes, breathing really fast and hoping I’m not his lunch.   I know that’s not possible but just scuba diving next to something that big and graceful is enough to scare anyone.  Always be open for an adventure because you never knows what you will find.

Roatan One of the Bay Islands in the Caribbean, Honduras - 1AdventureTraveler | Journey with me to this lush green island with white sand and beautiful fish in the crystal clear water. | caribbean | scuba diving | snorkeling | travel | scuba | beach | ocean |

Sunset at Sandy Bay, Roatan

Fun – Roatan

You don’t have to be a diver to enjoy Roatan.  Enjoy a snorkel right off the beach where the reef is close to shore in West Bay.  After a nice snorkel or dive, visit one of the Resort Beach Palapas, Bananaramara Dive & Beach Resort or Infinity Bay Spa & Beach Resort for a cool refreshing drink, good music and a great meal.

In the evening enjoy one of the many restaurants that serve a wide array of scrumptious food; Jamaican, French, Caribbean, Western, Peruvian, Argentine, Thai, and Mexican food.  Then catch one of the local bands playing at one of the bars or play a game of LCR.  Enjoy island time, relax, and see the beautiful sunsets.  When you get there say “hi” to all of my friends and tell them I will be back soon.  Roatan is less than a two hour direct flight from Houston, Texas with major airlines.

Roatan One of the Bay Islands in the Caribbean, Honduras - 1AdventureTraveler | Journey with me to this lush green island with white sand and beautiful fish in the crystal clear water. | caribbean | scuba diving | snorkeling | travel | scuba | beach | ocean |

One of my favorite sunsets when it went down I saw the Green Flash – Roatan

Other

Roatan is one of my favorite place to scuba dive and snorkel or just relax and lay on the beach.  Most of my time is spent on this wonderful island.  See the recommend resorts that I recommend on the map.  Looking for a Roatan Tour, make sure to visit Discover Roatan.  Roatan has my heart and I can hardly wait to go back to see all my friends.

More travel adventures at 1AdventureTraveler to Vietnam, Hong Kong, China, Japan and more.

Remember life is short go out and have an adventure.  


Have you been to Roatan?  Tell me about your experience on my favorite Island. 


Pin This For Later!