What’s your idea of a tropical paradise? Perhaps it includes palm trees, sandy white beaches and crystal blue water. What if it had no crowds and featured some of the world’s best scuba diving as well? That pretty well describes the Honduras Bay Islands.

Located in the western Caribbean off the coasts of Honduras and Belize, the Bay Islands are one of the few unspoiled tropical paradises left on earth. They consist of the islands of Roatan, Utila, Guanaja and over 60 islets sitting atop the world’s second largest barrier reef.

Discovered by Columbus in 1502, the islands were long a refuge for pirates like Henry Morgan. Today they feature a laid-back lifestyle, a friendly English-speaking population, and a great vacation opportunity for divers and non-divers alike.

Scuba Diving & Snorkeling
The Bay Islands have become one of the Caribbean's top dive destinations because of their large reef system and great variety of corals and sponges. The water features good visibility, little current and over 800 species of fish. Diving depths vary from reefs in 15 feet of water to sea mounds that slope down 200 feet.

Roatan, the largest of the Bay Islands, is about 42 miles long and 2 miles wide. Both Roatan’s northern reef and southern fringing reef boast around 40 dive sites each, offering spots for both novice and experienced divers that are characterized by plummeting walls, crevices and caverns.

Roatan features a number of excellent shore diving sites, including the famous Spooky Channel. An ancient streambed forming a cut through the reef, Spooky Channel can be reached from the pier Bay Islands Beach Resort. While snorkelers can explore the 8-foot crack at the top of the reef, divers can swim through shafts of light in the much wider interior of the channel.

The smaller island of Utila has gained a reputation as a great place for beginning divers. It offers the least expensive dive certification courses on the planet, and has become something of a Mecca for low-budget travelers. Competition between over a dozen small dive shops has brought prices down to between $125 - $150 for an open water certification course or an advanced open watercourse.

Recently it has been discovered that Utila is also one of the best places in the world to see whale sharks, the world's largest fish (don’t worry, they’re harmless). March, April and May are the best months to see these giants. Other spots offer the opportunity to dive and swim with the dolphins.

Other Activities
While scuba diving is the main attraction, there is much more to see and do on the Bay Islands.

Non-divers can get a close look at the coral reefs with the C-BUG mini-sub. Located on Roatan’s West End, this two-person submarine will take you down as far 700 ft. below the surface.

Families will love the Tropical Treasures Bird Park on Roatan. The park contains one of the most extensive collection parrot species in Central America. Carambola Gardens offers a relaxing stroll through a diverse collection of flowering plants, ferns, fruit trees and orchids. Kids will love Roatan’s Iguana Farm, where the over-hunted green iguanas that laze about.

Many companies also offer sea kayaking from Roatan’s West End, another way to experience the beautiful coastline. From half-day rentals to one, two or 6-day tours, sea kayaks offer the most adventurous way to get around to the island's best snorkeling spots.

Getting There
Continental Airlines flies directly from Houston to Roatan. The airline also flies from Newark (New York) to San Pedro Sula on the Honduran mainland, with a connection to Roatan. You can also fly either American Airlines or Continental Airlines via Belize City to San Pedro Sula and catch a connection to Roatan. TACA Airlines, the low fare Latin American carrier, flies directly to Roatan from both Miami and Houston. The airline also flies from Los Angeles, New Orleans and San Francisco, with connecting flights to Roatan. Sol Air is a new airline that has recently launched and flies direct to Roatan from Miami and Dallas.

The Bay Islands Tourism web site has a very useful schedule of national flights http://www.bayislandstourism.com.

Once on the islands you can get to any destination with inexpensive taxis, bus service and water taxis.

Where To Stay
The islands feature a number of dive resorts, including Anthony’s Key Resort on Roatan’s north shore and the Coco View Resort on the islands south shore. Most are designed to blend in with the island environment, and none are built higher than the tallest palm tree.

TropicalREZ.com http://www.tropicalrez.com, a central reservations and booking service specific to the islands can help you with accommodations.

Mike Brown
http://www.roatanrealty.com/