Fishing and Scuba Diving Adventure in Roatan, Honduras

CAE guest contributor Jon-Hayes Pipes returned from an epic family vacation centered around fishing, ridiculously cheap diving, snorkeling, and the low-key island of Roatan. The calm seas of the island and proximity to the second largest barrier reef in the world make Roatan perfect for both relaxation and adventure. Whatever your budget, the Caribbean’s largest English-speaking Island is awash with attractions.

Who to Fish With:

• Ruthless Roatan Charters
• West Bay Tours
• Roatan Reef Tours

Private charters also available. Local hotels are a great recommendation source.

Fish commonly caught in Roatan include wahoo, yellowfin tuna, mahi-mahi, barracuda, blue marlin, white marlin, and sailfish. Whatever you catch, the chef at Lotus Restaurant will cook it for you! 

Where to Eat:

• Maxims (West End fine dining)
• Ipanema (brand new, scenic Brazilian restaurant below Maxims downstairs on the water)
• The Lotus at Xbalanque Resort
• Luna Muna (fine dining inside Ibagari Hotel)
• Boat Bar and Grill (between West End and West Bay)
• Thai Blue Elephant (West End)

Where to Stay:

• Light House Estates – Villa Topaz (3-bedroom rental)
• Xbalanque Resort (villas available)
• Ibagari Boutique Hotel (villas available)
• Barefoot Cay
• Luna Beach Resort (recently remodeled!)

Where to Scuba Dive:

• Roatan Divers (West Bay)
• Blue Planet Divers in West Bay
• Duna Divers
• Barefoot Divers

Scenic and affordable scuba diving is the primary reason people come to Roatan. The waters are a beautiful shade of blue, calm and typically not subject to strong currents. From shipwrecks to coral gardens to sand flats and shark dives, Roatan diving has something for everyone. The diving market is extremely saturated in Roatan, which thankfully, keeps prices low!

Where to Grab a Drink:

• Roatan Rum Company
• Silversides Restaurant and Bar – (West End)
  • Their mimosa flight is a must try!
• Luna’s Beach
• Happy Harry’s Hideaway (West End)
• Roatan Island Brewing Co

Not to be missed:

• Daniel Johnson’s Monkey and Sloth Sanctuary
• Gumbalimba Park (bring bug spray!)
• Horseback Riding on Luna’s Beach
• Carambola Gardens (Sandy Bay area)
• Roatan Disc Golf (bug spray and closed toe shoes are encouraged!)

Where to take a boat excursion:

• Cayos Cochinos (don’t forget bug spray!)
• Utila Island
• Cayo Timon
• Little French Key (great snorkeling and dive spot!)
• Big French Key (this area gets crowded when the cruise ships are in)

Logistics:

Roatan’s international airport is Juan Manuel Galvez (RTB). Upon arrival, a car rental is recommended unless your lodging provides a car.

Worth noting are the direct flights from Houston, Miami, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Atlanta, and Minneapolis/St. Paul.

In addition, check airfares to San Pedro Sula (SAP) for cheaper flights. Many major carriers offer flights there, and affordable domestic flights can be booked between San Pedro Sula and Roatan via CM airlines and SOSA Airlines.

Roatan Travel Requirements:

Arrive with a passport valid for a minimum of 6 months from your scheduled arrival date to Honduras. Temporary visitor’s visas are issued by immigration upon entry into Honduras (30-90 day validity), and cannot be obtained in advance.

Best time to visit:

Now onto when to visit! The best times to visit Roatan for ideal weather are February 19^th to June 10^th based on average temperature and humidity from NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). I highly advise reading Roatan’s cruise ship schedule before selecting dates. An additional 5,000 people in the West End area make restaurants and water activities harder to navigate. Stick to the West Bay area when the cruise ships are in if at all possible.

Helpful Info:

• Roatan is situated on the Caribbean Sea. Strong sunscreen is a must!
• Bug spray is necessary on the beach. Sand fleas can be an issue, especially during the rainy season. Sand fleas and the overcrowded beaches on the West End would be the only two things I could complain about IF I had to find something to complain about!
• If you need a Covid test during your stay, check out the International Care Unit in West Bay.
• Save some time on your itinerary to check out the local artwork. Virginia Castillo’s and Britteny Bennett’s galleries are both worth a visit.
• Some of the roads are in poor condition, and driving even short distances can take a while.
• Bring a reusable water bottle or Yeti cup. Roatan has a ban on disposable water bottles.
• Beware of the dry corals – bring water shoes!
• Hands down the best guide in Roatan is Cleve. His knowledge of the Miskito people (indigenous lobster divers) is impressive and captivating.
• The island has one decompression chamber located at Anthony’s Key Resort.
• Furthermore, it’s worth noting what a great generational trip destination Roatan is!

In Conclusion:

Visit soon! Roatan is booming and starting to develop quickly. Translation: visit now before it becomes an expensive tourist trap! The natural beauty, laid-back way of life, and affordable diving and fishing opportunities are enticing. Jon-Hayes motivated me to visit the island in December 2023. My family spent a week at the gorgeous,secluded Ibagari boutique hotel and completed our PADI open water dive certification with the hotel’s Duna Divers team!

The post was updated on January 10, 2024.