Boutique Dive Center

Roatan is the largest Island in the Bay Islands chain and is located between the neighboring Islands of Útila and Guanaja and north of the Cayos Cochinos archipelago (aka the Hog Islands) there are smaller islands within the Bay Islands. 

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Roatan is approximately 33 miles long, and around 3 miles wide. And is the only Island with an International Airport. 

The main town on the island is Coxen Hole, the capital of Roatán municipality, located in the southwest. Other important towns include French Harbour, West End, Sandy Bay, and Oak Ridge (the capital of José Santos Guardiola municipality).

 

The East quarter of the island is separated by a channel through the mangroves that are 15 meters wide on average. This section is called Helene, or Santa Elena in Spanish. Satellite islands at the eastern end are Morat, Barbareta, and Pigeon Cay. 

 

Roatán lies on the southern edge of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, the 2nd largest barrier reef in the world. Reef systems are very delicate and have experienced massive damage and degradation worldwide. Roatán has become an important cruise ship and scuba diving destination in Honduras. Tourism is its most important economic sector, though fishing is also an important source of income for islanders.

 

The reef systems throughout the Bay Islands are protected by the local and central government (ICF) and with help from charitable donations and those on the front line. Through local donations to the Marine Park and the many causes along with a concerted effort from the resorts on the island weekly cleanups are undertaken to ensure no metals or plastics litter the reef system and beaches as well as all major dive shops doing cleanups on most of their daily dives. 

 

English is the first language of native Bay Islanders regardless of race and Spanish is spoken second, whereas mainland Honduras is Spanish-speaking. It remains this way because of the island's past as a British colony with descendants of Great Britain. With the steady influx of mainland Hondurans migrating to the islands, Spanish language use has increased. Because of the tourism and cruise ship industry that supports the islands, English continues to be the first spoken and dominant language among all native island peoples. Over time, the form of English spoken by the Caracol has changed. The language differs mostly in morphology but also in pronunciation and accent and, to a lesser extent, in syntax and vocabulary, from the English of the other British Caribbean colonies, as evidenced by the usage of a wide variety of old standard English terms and words throughout the islands. They are similar enough to be mutually intelligible and understood throughout the entire Bay Islands. The language can also be learned, although it is not taught in the general sense, whilst the accent derives from the wide variety of expatriates living and working on the Islands from North America and Europe.

 

GETTING HERE

Getting here has never been easier with year-round direct flights from Miami, Dallas, Atlanta, and Houston via American Airlines, Delta Airlines, United Airlines, and Avianca Airlines. The island is served by the Roatán International Airport ( RTB ) also available domestic connections for international flights arriving in the mainland Honduran cities like the capital Tegucigalpa( TGC), San Pedro Sula ( SAP ), and via San Salvador. Canadian carriers Sunwing Airlines (via Toronto) and Transat and WestJet also serve the Island with direct charter flights but not year-round. 

 

The Galaxy Wave express Catamaran ferry provides direct sea transport twice daily.

Roatan is a green lush, a tropical island situated off the Caribbean coast of Honduras. The crystal clear Caribbean waters, thriving coral reefs, and abundant marine life have been a well-kept secret of dedicated divers for many years. With an international airport and cruise ships making port calls, Roatan is now starting to be discovered by the rest of the world. This idyllic island can be reached via several direct flights from the U.S., Canada, or Central America.

 

A bit of everything:

Divers and non-divers alike can enjoy all the attractions of Roatan, such as beautiful white sand beaches, canopy tours, botanical gardens, horseback riding, sailing, shallow water fishing, and deep sea fishing, the iguana park is located in the French Cay area.

 

World’s Second Largest Barrier Reef.

The Mesoamerican barrier reef system that surrounds the island offers incredible snorkeling and scuba diving. We can also arrange the Famous Roatan shark dives.

 

The local community:

Roatan is friendly, with smiling faces of Roatan Island people adorning the area including a mix of mainland Spanish people. Garifunas are native islanders who speak English with a captivating Caribbean lilt. Over the last 19 years, the population has nearly quadrupled. English is still the first language of the Bay Islands, but Spanish is the majority language of Honduras. The Bay Islands has a large ex-pat community of businesses and homeowners. Expatriates from the U.K and the U.S, Canada, and Central Europe have opted to make Roatan their home.

 

The Weather:

The temperature on Roatan is around 80-86F on average, with the refreshing east trade winds cooling everything off, September seems to be the hottest month followed by the rainy season in Mid October through early March. 

The rainy season starts the high season followed by the U.S Thanks Giving week in November