Roatán, located between the islands of Útila and Guanaja, is the largest of Honduras’ Bay Islands. The island was formerly known as Ruatan and Rattan. It is approximately 77 kilometres long, and less than 8 kilometres across at its widest point. The island consists of two municipalities: José Santos Guardiola in the east and Roatán, including the Cayos Cochinos further south in the west.
The most populous town on the island is Coxen Hole, capital of Roatán municipality, located in the southwest. The easternmost quarter of the island is separated by a channel through the mangroves; this section is called Helene, or Santa Elena in Spanish. Satellite islands at the eastern end are Morat, Barbareta, and Pigeon Cay. Further west, between French Harbour and Coxen Hole, are several cays, including Stamp Cay and Barefoot Cay.
MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
• Cameo Factory in Coxen Hole
• Carambola Gardens
• Caves of Helene
• Dolphin show at Anthony’s Key Resort
• East End – if you’re up for an adventure, visit the east end of the island. This end of the island is home to many locals and some expats, as well as a few resorts. One that deserves a mention is Camp Bay Beach, Beach Adventure Lodge, which is the only resort on Camp Bay Beach. Here you can also try the Tasty Tarpon restaurant, and it’s a place that offers free access to the beach for everything from snorkelling and diving to fly fishing. There are a few other interesting stops along the way, such as Marble Hill Farms, where wonderful local jams and jellies are made. Asylum Bar & Grill sits on a palapa literally over the calm waters in Camp Bay, which can sometimes feel like the restaurant at the end of the universe after the long journey getting there. Santa Helena, located in Roatán’s municipality of Santos Guardiola, is a small secluded island 12 miles further east of Roatán. This off‑the‑beaten‑track tropical paradise is a one‑mile‑by‑two‑mile island that is sparsely populated with indigenous people who still live life as it was in the Old Caribbean, unspoiled and uncommercialised by tourist development. St Helene is the epitome of a sleepy little fishing village. Access to Helene is by private boat or passenger ferry service from Oak Ridge.
• Garifuna Village Tour in Punta Gorda
• Iguana Farm, near French Harbour
• Mangrove Forest kayak tour at Camp Bay Beach Adventure Lodge
• Marine Science Museum at Anthony’s Key Resort
• Oak Ridge – a small village on the eastern end of the island. On arrival, you’ll be offered water‑taxi tours to the Hole‑in‑the‑Wall restaurant, neighbouring communities, and around the harbour, but it’s also pleasant to walk through the village, which has many brightly coloured wooden houses on stilts along the shore.
• Pigeon Cayes – two small deserted islands
• Punta Gorda – renting a scooter and driving to Punta Gorda takes about one hour each way, and brings you through some beautiful countryside. It can be nice to get away from the touristy areas and back into places that look and feel like Honduras. The town of Punta Gorda is friendly and you may come across a beach party if you’re lucky.
• Roatán Butterfly Garden
• White’s Beach
• Marine Park – the marine park is a protected area of reef stretching from West Bay to Sandy Bay, and snorkelling and diving are great ways to see the marine life. Go out in a kayak, a boat, or just swim out from the shore.