The Ultimate Guide to Roatan, Honduras
“Is it pronounced Row-uh-tahn or Row-uh-TAN?”
After spending a week on this idyllic little island that surely none of your friends have heard of, I can confirm it is the latter. Roatan is a tiny atoll that sits off the coast of Honduras, and packs a lot of punch when it comes to a great beach vacation. Once I am asked how the name of the island is pronounced, the second most asked question is, “What are the best things to do in Roatan?” Most people could never find this island on a map, but scuba divers have known about this slice of heaven for decades. Long known as one of the top diving locations in the world and volleying back and forth for the number one spot year after year, this place is the perfect spot for untouched reef and unafraid fish.
“But what if I don’t scuba?”
Not just somewhere to strap on scuba gear and spend time under 30 meters of water, Roatan has some of the best activities of any island I have ever visited. Partially due to a lower volume of tourists every year, and mostly because the island has such a desire to conserve the natural beauty which it was given, Roatan convinced me it is the coolest and quirkiest little island in the Caribbean, and that there is a little something for everybody.
Keep reading for an insider’s guide to Roatan, and allow me to lay out some of the coolest non touristy things to do in Roatan, as well as share my secrets to having an unforgettable vacation.
Forget about Starfish Alley, it doesn’t exist anymore. Sea creatures are like that aunt and uncle that live in the woods. They really don’t want to be seen or bothered, and when the neighborhood gets a little busier, they up and leave. There used to be a channel of white sand that sat at the bottom of a water taxi line that connected the West End to West Bay. With more people owning boats to cart tourists back and forth between the town and beach, the starfish have slowly migrated out of their old neighborhood, and have moved further East. If you ask a water taxi to take you to Starfish Alley, you will likely see barren sea floor, and zero starfish. Instead, hire Captain Greg for a day of snorkeling and boat cruising, and he can direct you to the new starfish hotspot. Greg is a great captain, and really puts the health of the reef and all of its inhabitants first. Never picking anything up off the sea floor, Captain Greg will hop in the water with you, point out fish, and take you where only the locals know to snorkel. To get in touch with Captain Greg, book a few nights at Puerta Azul in Sandy Bay, and you will have full reign of the boat, and can book time with Greg to show you around the water.
Head to West Bay for a day, but that’s about all the time you will need there. A lot of cruises will make port on Roatan and shuttle their guests to West Bay. Because of this you will find loud beach bars, lots of people, and pay for use beach chairs. Even with all of these things that I normally despise, I actually really recommend coming here, just to experience the bluest water you’ve ever seen. Make sure to set up shop at a beach club named Bananarama, and check cruise port schedules. If you can go on a day when there are no cruises anchored at the island, chairs are free! Lay on a beach lounger mere feet from the water, and sip on their specialty drink, a Monkey La La, which is a combination of rum, tequila, Bailey’s, Kahlua, coconut cream, and a cherry on top. When you get your fill of this delightfully rich concoction, make the 5-minute walk to a taco stand named Totally Taco. Owned and operated by an American who wanted to leave the rat race of corporate life and honor the life of his late brother, the tacos here are as imaginative as they are delicious.
West End isn’t the only spot on the island to stay! Actually, I would recommend staying on other parts of the island before West End, and spending a majority of your time on the eastern side of the island. Small villages like East End, Camp Bay, and Sandy Bay offer cheaper accommodation, often with much better amenities than in West End. East End and Camps Bay sit about an hour drive from the airport, and are often only visited by the quietest of travelers mostly looking for a getaway with no Wi-Fi. Stay at quiet and humble hotels like Paya Bay Resort which caters to people more concerned with relaxing than partying. Eat at the beautiful La Sirena of Camps Bay, often considered one of the top restaurants in all of Roatan, but disguised as a dock sticking out into the ocean with a small wooden hut attached. Quiet, uninhabited beaches line the length of Camp Bay and East End, and are just begging to be explored by travelers looking for a unique adventure.
Take a yoga class with the sound of waves guiding you through your practice. Places like Paya Bay Resort, and Roatan Yoga not only help you get a few sun salutations in, but they help you connect with the earth and your spirit at the same time. Roatan Yoga is set in Sandy Bay, and overlooks the bluest parts of the Caribbean Ocean. Breezes pass through the pavilion, and instructors are said to be some of the best on the island. Unable to check this place out for myself due a short itinerary, it will be at the top of my list of must do activities next time I am in Roatan. As for Paya Bay Resort, you will find yourself guided through a practice while overlooking the jungle and ocean, with the sound of insects welcoming the day in the background. The perfect way to start your day, you may work through a guided practice with the onsite yoga instructor, or you may find your own pace on your own time any time of day or night at the Ananda Pavilion. Paya Bay also hosts yoga retreats, so check their website for more information regarding the next available spot and date.
Make sure to hop on a boat tour while you are in Roatan! There are quite a few to choose from, such as Ruthless Roatan and Amavi Charters. In the essence of transparency, I was unable to take a chartered tour with either of these companies as I was on the other end of the island for half of my week, and there were no charters headed out the days I was in the West End. I can, however, speak to how nice Michelle at Ruthless Roatan was when I was trying to book a spot on a charter that didn’t work out. She kept me up to date on weather and upcoming charters, and had clear communication at all times. I highly recommend booking a day trip to Cayos Cochinos with Ruthless Roatan, and checking out the teeny tiny islands surrounding the already small Roatan! Amavi Charters also makes my list with its total bucket list style boat. A beautiful catamaran with netting in the middle for sunbathing, sailing for the day on the beautiful blue waters of the Caribbean Ocean would be nothing short of idyllic with Amavi. Stop for a snorkel break or two, or stay on the boat all day, it’s up to you! Amavi really goes for a true VIP experience, and will leave you feeling like royalty!
If a fishing trip is more up your alley than laying in the sun, I cannot recommend Bay Islands Fishing Charters enough. Owned by the young couple who hosted me during my stay at Puerta Azul, Harris and Augusta make a great team, and aim to make everybody’s time on Roatan enjoyable. Step aboard their brand new, world class fishing boat, and set sail for some of the greatest fishing spots Roatan has to offer. Harris will show you around the best local fishing spots, and make sure your catch of the day is well worth your time and money. Pro tip: ask Augusta to make you a bagel sandwich for your excursion. I had one of the best packed lunches from her the day I snorkeled with the above-mentioned Captain Greg, and still think about that sandwich every now and then.
Don’t worry about Uber, because it doesn’t exist here! Transit on the island is completely self-enforced, and is some of the easiest I have ever encountered. Simply stand out on the shoulder of a road, and wave your hand at any white car with a round, yellow number on the side doors. These are the official taxis of the island, and are cheap to use. I took a taxi from Sandy Bay to West end daily, and each way only cost me $3 each ride. But you’re confused why somebody else is getting in your taxi with you? Well, since the island is so small, there can only be so many cars. Taxis may stop and pick up multiple passengers all heading in the same direction to accommodate as many people as possible, and to obviously maximize the money made each trip. But hey, carpooling is better for the environment anyway!
As if I need to recap this, you can see that Roatan is one of those elusive places that is so full of life, vibrance, and activities, yet is undiscovered in mainstream tourism. I highly recommend this island to even the leeriest of travelers, as it is easy to get to, and is easy to travel around. So, pack your fins and bathing suit and book your trip to Roatan. Trust me, you won’t regret it!
Questions about Roatan? Get in touch, and I can answer all your questions!
