Online - January 07, 2009

Dive In

DailyCandy Goes to Roatán, Honduras

Wanted: undiscovered Latin American culture with a sexy, tropical flair.

Found: Roatán, Honduras.

Short and sweet at 33 miles long and only four miles wide, the mountainous island is surrounded by the world’s second largest barrier reef, making it a diver’s wet and wild dream. The vibe isn’t chic (wait till Nikki Beach Resort opens in 2010); it’s laid back (not hippie annoying), full of expats living la vida paraíso.

Set Up Camp
Anthony’s Key Resort reigns supreme on the local diving scene. Underwater enthusiasts geek that it’s home to the Roatán Institute for Marine Sciences, which preserves natural resources through education and research. You can snorkel, swim, or train with dolphins, or just watch them perform. Bungalow-style rooms are Caribbean casual. Book an east side room for primo dolphin show views, the north for maximum seclusion, and the west for sunset. Feeling insecure about your scuba skills? Dive shop manager Kevin Brewer will give you reassuring tips and know-how.

For posh digs, stay at Mayoka Lodge. Owners Paul and Mandy Croucher met diving on the island, fell in love, got hitched, and put a lot of heart into creating the private enclave with six bungalows for twelve guests. You have to rent the entire property, but you get a personal chef, infinity pool, private dock, secluded beach, tennis, golf, and Chilean and French wines. When you bore of the beach (snorkel, sea scooters, kayaks), hit the well-stocked game room (poker table, pool table, chess, Wii …).

Sunset Strip
The island’s best food is in the West End, a scenic five-minute trip from West Bay. Head to Eagle Ray’s for live music and local specialties like conch soup and seafood paired with the island’s harvest — bananas, mangoes, guavas, breadfruit, coconut, cassava, key limes. For happy hour, kick back at Foster’s, just south of Eagle Ray’s. The address for Eagle Ray’s and Foster’s is “West End.” Neither has a phone, which is common on the island, and both have awesome sunset views. While on the West End, pick up souvenirs like Lenca negativo pottery (recognizable for its black and white designs), hammocks, handmade jewelry, and Honduran cigars.

Xtreme Beach
Outdoor thrills? Head to Gumbalimba Park in West Bay to zip-line from the hilltop canopy down to the beach and then explore the small, beautiful botanical gardens and get your wildlife fix from macaws and monkeys. You can also snuba, an activity for nondivers that melds snorkel with scuba. (Call ahead for reservations. On the island, 9914-9196.)

The island’s best snorkeling is at Coral Cay Marine and Nature Park. Scuba newbies can take an intro class before bonding with coral reefs, sea turtles, and nurse sharks. The lazy can plant their bikini-clad asses on the postcard-perfect beach and soak up endless supplies of vitamin D.

Now Go Already
You fly to San Pedro Sula airport and then take domestic flights to La Ceiba, then Roatán. Here’s the nonstop cheat sheet: Continental from Houston on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays or from Newark on Saturdays (February 14-April 4); Delta from Atlanta on Saturdays; Taca from Houston on Saturdays or from Miami on Sundays.

While you’re down there…
+ Costa Rica
+ Corn Islands, Nicaragua
+ Ecuador
+ Condesa, Mexico City

  Adventure Travel, Beachy, Hot Date, Islands