Visit Roatan: Luxury Vacations to Honduras

The Bay Islands of Honduras

The Bay Islands—a group of six islands and 65 smaller coral cays—are renowned for their clear waters, sparkling sands and pristine reefs.

Dozens of world-class dive sites surround the three main islands—Roatan, Guanaja, and Utila.

Here, you can swim with whale sharks, discover sunken wrecks, and explore spectacular walls and channels.

Plentiful Dive Schools

If you’re not a diver, this is a great place to certify; dive schools are plentiful, prices are reasonable, and English is the primary language.

At 32 miles long and just shy of five miles wide, Roatan is the largest of Honduras’ Caribbean islands.

The best Bay Island hotels and villas are located here, with most guests staying three nights or longer.

Utila Island: Whale Shark Diving and Turtle Watching

Utila, a sleepy island to the southwest, is one of the best places in the Caribbean for whale shark diving (March, April, August and September).

It’s not uncommon for divers to encounter five or more of these solitary giants in a single day of exploring the northern shores.

This island is also home to an iguana research center and the Turtle Harbor Wildlife Refuge—habitat for hawksbill and green sea turtles.

No other city in South America has such a fine collection of boutique and luxury hotels. Choices range from restored Belle Époque mansions to stark design hotels and charming bed-and-breakfasts.

Similarly varied are Buenos’ Aires galleries, design studios, restaurants, and nightclubs. Porteños are known for late night dining and dancing until daybreak.

Scuba Diving off Guanaja Island

Guanaja, the easternmost inhabited island, is more rustic than Roatan and Utila.

Approximately 90% of the pine-forested interior and surrounding waters are protected as a national reserve.

Visitors primarily come to enjoy wreck, cave and channel diving.

Cayos Cochinos

South of the Bay Islands are the tiny Cayos Cochinos—a cluster of two small islands and 13 cays, framing the core of a national marine reserve.

This reserve’s shallow reefs support hawksbill turtles, nurse sharks, grouper and rays.

Wahoo, hammerheads, and marlin can be seen farther down the bank.

What to do in Roatan

Diving
Snorkeling
Whale shark encounters
Turtle watching
Iguana center visit
Dolphin encounters
Sportfishing
Kayaking
Paddleboarding
Sailing
Horseback riding
Zip-lining
Hiking pine forests
Village visits
Butterfly garden
Mangrove tours
Beachcombing
Sunset cruises
Cave diving
Wreck diving
Channel diving
Reef exploration
Birdwatching
Marine reserve excursions (Cayos Cochinos)

What is the Weather Like?

The Bay Islands enjoy a temperate, tropical climate, moderated by steady trade winds. Daytime highs hover near 90°F, while evenings cool to around 75°F. The dry season runs from February through September, offering the sunniest skies and calm seas –ideal for diving and snorkeling. September tends to be the warmest month, while November usually brings the heaviest rains. Even in wetter periods, showers are often brief, with plenty of daylight hours left for exploring reefs, beaches, and coastal villages.

Getting There

Direct flights to Roatan (RTB) are available from Atlanta (just over three hours) and Houston (under three hours).

Regional flights to Roatan usually connect in La Ceiba (15 minutes).

Ferry service between the mainland, the Bay Islands, and the Cayos Cochinos is also available.

Start your journey today

LANDED delivers the finest in custom, private travel to Central America, South America, and Antarctica. These regions are our passion; we know them first-hand and by heart. Speak with one of our travel designers and let us create a tailored itinerary for you in Honduras.