International Destinations

Tropical Roatan is an island of wonders

By Margo Malcolm

From the second largest barrier reef in the world, to climbing green iguanas to playful dolphins frolicking in the turquoise water of the Caribbean Sea, nature has given the island of Roatan its fair share of wonders and then some.

Yellow hibiscus, scarlet parrots, neon blue fish are part of this colourful mosaic of coral reef, sandy beaches, mangrove canals, lush valleys and jungle hilltops. And the island’s history, from pirates to Punta rock, has added to nature’s vibrant palette with a colour all of its own.

Roatan’s reef

Easily the greatest of Roatan’s wonders is the Northern Hemisphere’s longest barrier reef, stretching 300 kilometres south from the Yucatán Peninsula. This beautiful eco-system is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Because of the reef’s fragility, the West End and Sandy Bay Marine Reserve was created to protect it. Tourism businesses also strive to protect this precious resource, such as Roatan’s newest resort, Infinity Bay Spa and Beach Resort in the West End. The resort has integrated green initiatives such as solar water heating and an advanced aerobic septic system into their operation so they don’t emit any pollutants into the ocean that could destroy the coral.

“Nature has given us a magnificent precious gift, and we must do all we can to preserve it,” says Infinity Bay’s Scott Bocci.

Many consider this part of the Caribbean one of the world’s best diving, snorkelling and fishing spots. Water temperatures average about 80 degrees year round, visibility ranges from 50 to100 feet and gentle currents make it a natural playground.

There are 38 dive sites in the West End and Sandy Bay Marine Reserve alone. These include wrecks, walls, shallow terraces, and deep fissures amongst sea turtles, eagle rays, squid and vibrant tropical fish. Fishing is also great, with wahoo, yellow fin tuna, and mahi mahi abundant in the region, as well as large species such as barracuda, blue marlin and sail fin.

Then there are the dolphins that inhabit the waters around the island. Through the Roatan Institute of Marine Studies visitors can dive and snorkel among these intelligent and playful creatures.

Anthony’s Key Resort in Sandy Bay established the institute and has recently expanded its facilities and opened Fins and Flippers on the island’s south side near Coxen Hole Harbor.

Between land and sea

Roatan’s diverse topography ranges from a small mountain ridge at about 900 feet above sea level, tropical hilltops and lush valleys to iron shoreline, beautiful white beaches and mangroves.

The mangrove system has been provided by nature as a vital traditional protector between the land and the sea. Mangroves are not specific trees but a variety of salt tolerant tropical trees and shrubs that are integral to the stability of the coastal environment. The system is a refuge for marine life, protects the reef from sediment runoff, protects the land from flooding during storms and is a fascinating and haunting environment.

If you enjoy hiking, Carambola Botanical Gardens has a trail system that takes you through a protected forest and up Carambola Mountain with its extensive views of the island and beyond. Orchids, spice plants, fruit trees, iguanas and parrots line the trails.

Canopy zipline tours in Gumbalimba Park in West Bay are an exhilarating way to see the jungle vegetation from a bird’s eye view.

Dinosaurs and pirates

Iguanas are protected on Roatan now but historically they were an island delicacy. At Sherman Arch’s Iguana Farm, not so much a farm as an iguana haven, nearly 3,000 iguanas literally hang out here. Surprisingly iguanas are excellent climbers and swimmers. They also have very good hearing, smell and vision.

Roatan’s history is the stuff of new world legends. At one point an estimated 5,000 pirates called Roatan home. But in 1782, the Spanish rid the island of the buccaneers and it lay uninhabited until 1797 when the British shifted 2,000 Black Caribs from St. Vincent to Roatan. These people were a mixture of African slaves and Arawak Indians who later became known as the Garifuna. The Garifuna have their own dialect (a mixture of Arawak, French, English and Spanish), and music, called Punta.

From a rich cultural heritage to natural wonders, it’s no wonder why sources like the Wall Street Journal have called it the Caribbean’s next “it” spot.

IF YOU GO:

Infinity Bay Spa & Beach Resort
1-866-369-1977
www.infinitybay.com

Anthony Key Resourt
1-800-227-3483
www.anthonyskey.com

Honduras Tourism
www.letsgohonduras.com.