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The Bay Islands
Located in amongst the second longest barrier reef in the world the Bay Islands are, for many, the main reason for visiting Honduras. Its spectacular coral-reef systems are home to some 96% of all species of marine life known to inhabit the Caribbean! Clear and calm waters with an average temperature of 28 degrees make viewing easy and pleasant.
The Bay Islands consist of three main islands; Roatan, Utila and Guanaja, plus some 60 other smaller cayes. Roatanis the largest at 40miles long, with a beautiful mountainous backbone and a shoreline dotted with white sandy beaches and small Garifuna communities.
The sandy islands are surrounded by coral reefs and ideal as diving, snorkelling, fishing and beach destinations. You can see a dizzying assortment of hard and soft coral, fish, sponges, anemones, worms, shellfish, rays, sea turtles, dolphin and shark; including the world’s largest fish – the Whale Shark. ROATAN
Roatan can be broken up into 3 areas:
West End This is a lively area of the island where a large number of restaurants and bars are situated. There is a small area of beach here at Half Moon Bay and the hotels here are more mid range/economy. Guests can drive or get water taxis from here to West Bay. West Bay A large, beautiful beach area, lined with hotels and restaurants. It is quieter than West End and tends to be more resort hotel orientated. The drawback is that it can get very busy with charter flight groups and cruise ship passengers. Sandy Bay Just up the coast from West Bay and West End is Sandy Bay. This is the quietest area where hotels are spread along the coast, thus enjoying a more private and remote location away from other hotels. The beaches here are quiet and less populated. UTILA
Utila was for a long time a backpacker destination where everyone came to learn to dive cheaply. Whilst this is still true up to a point there are now some more upscale properties and people visit for the small town charm, beach & snorkel excursions as well as the diving and the opportunity of seeing whale sharks whose migratory route passes through these waters. As many hotels dedicate themselves to dive customers it can sometimes be difficult to find room only accommodation especially in high season.
CAYOS COCHINOS
The Cayos Cochinos are relatively infrequently visited as most travellers focus directly on the Bay Islands. For us they are the most spectacular collection of islands, beach and reef in the western Caribbean. Located only 19 kilometres off the Honduran coastline and consisting of two main islands and 13 smaller cays, all of which are surrounded by pristine reefs. The larger islands are covered in thick tropical forest and ringed by excellent white-sand beaches. The islands and surrounding waters are in a Natural Protected Area which explains the simple tourism infrastructure – there is one hotel! Can be visited as a day trip from the Bay Islands or La Ceiba on the mainland.
Recommended lodges in this area:
The Bay Islands
The island of Roatan is surrounded by dozens of idyllic little cayes – some of these are inhabited, some are home to nothing but palm trees and iguana’s. Barefoot Caye has been stunningly crafted into a small, exceptionally stylish hotel
The Bay Islands
Having only opened in late 2007, this is very much a hidden gem on Utila in more ways than one. The hotel is on the southern shores of the island about a 20 minute boat ride out of town and is located on its own private stretch of beach
The Bay Islands
Nestled far away from any other hotel, this little part of the Bay Islands is a beautiful hideaway. The lodge sits on a lovely white beach with the reef just a short kayak or a relatively long swim away.
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