Roatan
Roatán is an island in the Caribbean, about 65 kilometres off the northern coast of Honduras. It is located between the islands of Útila and Guanaja, and is the largest of the Bay Islands of Honduras. The island was formerly known as Ruatan and Rattan. After a short flight to the Bay Islands, Enjoy a spectacular day on one of Roatan’s beautiful beaches. The north coast of the, Bay Islands is paralleled by the world’s second longest barrier reef and is surrounded by beautiful, tropical coral reef beaches. Roatan’s beaches are clean, expansive and uncrowded, Its waters are calm and ideal for swimming, snorkeling or just relaxing. At one end of the bay the coral reef comes to within a few yards of the shore and is excellent for snorkeling among the vibrant marine life and brilliant tropical fish.
Activities in Roatan
Facetime with the Dolphins
Dolphin Encounter takes place at Bailey’s Key, the smaller of the keys that make up Anthony’s Key Resort. This is the private home to a large family of Atlantic Bottlenose dolphins. You will start your adventure at a beachfront cabana, where you’ll receive a brief orientation. After, a trained naturalist will meet you at the beach and introduce you personally to the resident dolphins. You’ll learn about the behaviors, anatomy, and characteristics of these dolphins before you’re given the opportunity to interact with them one-on-one. This 30-minute encounter includes plenty of photo opportunities, both with your personal camera as well as with our onsite photographers.
Diving
Part of the second largest barrier reef in the world, the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the islands of Roatan and Utila feature vibrant coral, multi colored tropical fish, sponges as big as refrigerators and pelagic species. You might see manta rays, sea turtles and, especially from mid-February to April, whale sharks. The island of Roatan is a site of pilgrimage for divers who visit Central America. Mary’s Place is widely renowned as a favorite dive site of the area, with narrow canyons and abundant wildlife. Another excellent dive is the El Aguila Wreck, a cargo ship that was sunk for divers to explore. Corals bedeck the massive ship, hosting a slew of beautiful and colorful marine life. Utila is more laid back and is a well-known destination for backpackers looking to become dive professionals. Not only will you get certified in one of the most beautiful places in the world, but you won’t have to break the bank in the process!
Stanley Sub Experience
The vehicle is a one-of-a-kind deep diving submersible designed and custom-built for her exact location on Roatan, Honduras. The sub, which is the first in history constructed of three different sized spheres, is designed to safely transport three people to 3,000 feet (915 meters) below sea level. This allows you to explore and experience the magic of the sea and its wild life. While it is possible to see a six-gill shark on any of the dives (and they have been spotted on even the shortest of dives) the only way to guarantee citing of this massive pre-historic fish is to do an expedition specially tailored to encounter them. We attach bait directly to the sub, leave after sunset and sit and wait in total darkness below 1500 feet. After a 1-3 hour wait we are joined by a fish longer than the craft we are riding in and rocked back and forth as she (90% of the sharks we see are female, a mystery that R.I.D.E. is helping unravel) rips our offering free just feet away.
The Black Pearl Golf
This 18-hole, par-72, 7200 yard championship course was created by world-famous golf course architect Pete Dye. The course starts at the ocean’s doorstep, rises into the island’s rolling foothills, then takes golfers on a wild ride back to the seaside clubhouse. Open to the public and host to annual tournaments, a day on The Black Pearlis a challenge to golfers of all levels. The lush, tropical flora and fauna surrounding the course with views of the Caribbean Sea from almost every hole makes it no wonder that Golf Magazine has hailed Pristine Bay as one of the “Top Five Golf Resort Destinations on the Rise.” Pristine Bay’s first class amenities span from beverage delivery on the course to PGA lessons taught by professional golfers. Our Pro Shop offers the latest in golf apparel and accessories, with club rentals available should you choose to travel light. A wide variety of membership options allow golf enthusiasts access to golf facilities and preferential reservation rights. Unique features of the course include one of Dye’s signature island greens and views of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second largest in the world, just off Pristine Bay’s coast. Not just a haven for golfers, The Black Pearl is also a haven for Roatan’s wildlife. With more than 100,000 plants and trees, the course is one of the largest sanctuaries for plant and animal life on the island. We invite you to discover the Black Pearl Golf Course for yourself!