| Situated off the coast of Honduras, Roatan is one of | | | | easily accessible by a short boat ride or as close as |
| the three Bay Islands, and is the undiscovered secret | | | | 100 feet from the beach. |
| of vacationers from the colder North and South | | | | Oakridge/Punta Gorda |
| American locations that are looking for a tropical | | | | Oakridge is located about one mile past the paved |
| vacation destination with a variety of water activities, | | | | road on the Eastern end of the Island. It is a small |
| un-crowded white, soft powdered beaches, and | | | | picturesque community with a strong afro-Antillean |
| inexpensive hotels and restaurants. | | | | culture. It is only in recent years that access by car |
| Roatan is a long narrow island of almost 40 miles in | | | | to this area has been opened and hasn't changed |
| length. It is a beautiful island with mountains and lush | | | | much with the passing of time. Tourist services here |
| green tropical foliage. | | | | are scarce. The fishing is excellent, and on Roatan |
| Roatan's weather is ideal and rarely affects having a | | | | Ranch they offer English speaking horseback riding |
| good time and has a mild rainy season that occurs | | | | tours of the area. |
| from November to the end of January. The | | | | Nearby Punta Gorda on the opposite side of the |
| northwest side of the island is protected most of the | | | | Island was the first Garifuna Settlement in Central |
| year from the southeast Even then, the West End | | | | America. The Garifuna or Black Caribs were |
| and northern side may be calm and enjoy excellent | | | | marooned in Roatan by the British in 1796, and every |
| diving and beach activities. If wind conditions or | | | | year on April 12th they commemorate their arrival |
| weather becomes and issue, the dive operators and | | | | with a carnival. This is also the home of YUBU where |
| resorts will simply move their boats to the "lee side" | | | | you will meet Garifuna people and see their exotic |
| of the island and calmer waters | | | | dances and purchase souvenirs made by them. |
| The popular tourist spots on Roatan are West End, | | | | Sandy Bay |
| West Bay, Sandy Beach, and Oak Ridge/Punta | | | | Sandy Bay is considered the cultural center of Roatan |
| Gorda. | | | | and is the location of the Institute of Marine |
| Roatan's two largest cities are Coxen Hole and | | | | Sciences, the Roatan Museum, the Carambola |
| French Harbor and offer very little for the tourist, | | | | Gardens, and the Marine Reserve. It is also the |
| both of which are the main concentration of | | | | location of Anthony's Key resort one of the first and |
| inhabitants living under poverty level conditions. Coxen | | | | largest dive resorts on the Island. |
| Hole is the capital and is location of the international | | | | West End |
| airport and the docking terminal for cruise ships. | | | | Commonly referred to as "Gringo Central", this little |
| Beyond that, the reason tourists come to Coxen | | | | town with a "Jimmy Buffet - Margarita Ville" |
| Hole is for the banks and rental cars. French Harbor is | | | | atmosphere is located on Half Moon Bay. Here you |
| home to the largest fishing fleet in the Western | | | | can access all there is with a walk along its un paved |
| Caribbean. The reason most tourists come to French | | | | sandy main street that rims the bay and is lined with |
| Harbor is for their two popular waterfront | | | | palm trees and rustic, weather beaten wood |
| restaurants, Gio's and Casa Romero's | | | | restaurants, bars, hotels, and t-shirt shops. The prices |
| The main attractions in Roatan are scuba diving, | | | | for food, drinks and hotels are extremely |
| snorkeling, beautiful beaches, a laid back, relaxing way | | | | inexpensive. There is a very informal, relaxed -- let it |
| of life. The island is on the world's second largest | | | | all hang out attitude that can be enjoyed without |
| barrier reef with a variety of world class dive sites, | | | | ever getting out of your sandals, shorts, and t-shirts. |