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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Roatan looks amazing: I didn’t realize it was less than 2h flight from Houston. Scuba diving there must be really impressive if you get to see so many different creatures!
Hi Anna, Lots of people do not know that it is so easy to fly there from Houston. Great scuba diving location with lots of sea life. So far I have missed seeing the whale sharks. Roatan is one of my favorite places.
We are heading over to Mexico later this year! We have heard a lot of good thing about the scuba diving and Roatan is on our list so this is the perfect time to read this post. Oh and the food you have quoted – goodness me, I love Mexican food and Jamaican, darn I just love food ha ha. Pinned! #feetdotravel
Hi Angie, How exciting you are heading to Mexico this year. How cool you have heard good things about scuba diving in Roatan. Scuba diving seems like a small community where you meet people who have dived some great places. Roatan will not disappoint great sea life.
Roatan seems spectacular and a great holiday destination. Your post was very inspiring! What time of the year would you suggest going there?
Thanks Angness, Spring is a good time to visit Roatan before it gets to hot. The water is clear and a good time to snorkel, swim or scuba dive. Hope you get a chance to visit!
2 hours from Texas!!? you guys are so lucky to have the Caribbean on your doorstep so to speak. Roatan looks lovely! our sort of island 🙂 I would take the snorkelling option, still need to learn how to dive!
Hi Garth, can you believe Roatan is just a hop skip and a jump from Houston Texas. You would love to snorkel the 2nd largest reef in the world. Awesome 🙂 There are lots of PADI dive centers where you can learn to dive.
Looks superb. I’m a woman ‘of an age’. Could I trot over there on my own?
Hi Carol,
Like all countries one must always be aware of their surroundings. You could go over to Roatan on your own but stay at one of the resorts West Bay Beach. There is Bananarama Resort, Infinity Bay Resort to name a few. Their links are in the Roatan Blog. They also pick you up at the airport and return you back to the airport. Hope you make it to Roatan for a visit 🙂
Roatan looks like paradise. The Sun set is simply gorgeous. The place seems to embody the spirit of the Caribbean.
Hi Sandy,
Roatan is paradise where I love to spend as much time as possible with wonderful sunsets 🙂
Wow, it’s chilly where you are at the moment. I’d be dreaming of Roatan if I were you too! 😉
Hi Shona,
When I originally wrote the post it was winter and very very cold. I really wanted to be where the sand is warm, the water sparkles, clear turquoise water with awesome sunsets 🙂 Happy Travels!
I’ve always wanted to visit the Islands of Honduras, I only made it to the northern town of La Cieba. Roatan looks stunning, I’d read it’s one of the best places in the world for diving. The sunset photo you took over the ocean is stunning!
Thanks…
You were so close to Roatan when you were in La Cieba. There is a puddle jumper (flight) that takes you right there. Diving on Roatan is amazing and I always find myself comparing all my dives to the reef system there. It does not get any better than finishing an awesome dive and relaxing with friends watching an amazing sunset. Hope you get a chance to go back for a dive.
I wasn’t familiar with Roatan before reading this post. I don’t dive, but I love the beach. I’m sure the seafood is delicious, too!
Hi Carmen, I hear that from lots of people that don’t know about Roatan Island off the coast of Honduras in the Western Caribbean. Hope by getting the word out there the hear about this amazing place. Maybe I should keep it a secret 🙂 There are lots of activities to do on Roatan for example snorkel, jet ski, canopy tours and more. The seafood is very good.
I was wondering when I was reading about the diving and snorkeling possibilities in Roatan, if you also saw a lot of dead coral. We are in the Seychelles at the moment and we love to snorkel. But unfortunately almost all is dead after influence of global warming and fish is not to abundant.
Hi Marcelle,
There are still lots of diving and snorkeling possibilities on Roatan. With the Marine Park that helps to preserve the 2nd largest reef system in the world by education and protecting it. There are some signs of global warming but still lots of pristine places to dive. How wonderful the Seychelles must be but sad about the coral reef system there.
We had never heard of Roatan before. Sounds amazing. That sunset shot is beautiful! We would love to see Green Sea Turtles!
Thanks Siddharth and Shruti,
I can never get enough of the amazing sunsets there. Amazing! Love to see the Turtles, colorful parrot fish and so much more. Glad you now heard of Roatan Island in the Western Caribbean. Happy Travels 🙂
We are excited to be cruising here in November, this looks idyllic! It will be our first visit to this part of the world. Thanks for sharing #feetdotravel
Thanks Paul and Carole, You must let me know how you liked Roatan on your cruise. Hope you were able to visit West Bay and enjoy the beach. Happy Travels 😊
I can’t get over that turquoise ocean. Makes me feel peaceful just looking at it! #feetdotravel
Hi Laura, I agree that the turquoise ocean is my favorite part. Roatan is such a peaceful place to visit plus great diving there too.
Love this and has totally encouraged me to get to that side of the world for some diving. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Hi Deasha, I hope you have been able to get to the Caribbean for some diving. Make sure to make a stop at Roatan. A place you will not forget.
Your post makes me think of traveling to Honduras. Roatan looks stunning. I prefer snorkeling as diving makes me nervous.
Hi Marcelle, Happy your interested in visiting Roatan Island in the Western Caribbean. If you every visit you will not be disappointed while snorkeling to see some amazing underwater sea life. Happy Travels 🙂