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Welcome to the Bay Islands!
Hi! My name is Marion Seaman and I'm the editor of the Coconut Telegraph, the Bay Islands' magazine since 1992. I'd like to invite you to come and spend some time with us -- experience "island life," meet our friendly people and discover our remarkable natural wonders.
These lovely off-beat isles are a true Caribbean treasure, appealing to vacationers, part-time residents, retirees, and those looking for an alternate lifestyle. Let our unhurried pace relax you -- unwind to "island time" and chill out in our sparkling, clear blue waters.
Our warm climate is like the warm greeting you'll receive from our friendly inhabitants, whose ancestral origins are a combination of eight separate cultures that fought and flourished here during the past 400 years. Their colorful history reflects the cultural crossroads from which these islands derive their unique character.
Roatan is the most developed of the islands, with a new airport terminal, paved roads and modern supermarkets. Although far from cosmopolitan, Roatan has a 20-bed general hospital, a hyperbaric chamber, 24-hour emergency and ambulance service, a number of restaurants, and Roatan Museum, renowned as the finest small museum in Central America.
There's nothing like a walk on Roatan's West Bay Beach, one of the prettiest beaches in the Caribbean. And, you won't want to miss our underwater gardens. An extensive fringing reef system offers spectacular diving and snorkeling among more than 90 identified species of fish, a myriad of invertebrates (some as yet unnamed), countless hard and soft corals, and a profusion of sponges. A drive toward the east end of the island never fails to thrill me. Breathtaking views overlooking both shores -- green, green hills gently sloping to brilliant reefs -- are unforgettable.
Often referred to as the "Rose of Honduras," Utila is neat and tidy. The first thing you'll notice is the islands' quaint architecture. Brightly-painted gingerbread trim, wide porches and abundant plants and flowers adorn almost every house. Divers can sample the island's wide variety of underwater attractions, from sea mounds to lava tubes, colorful shallow reefs and walls lushly draped in soft corals, and thrilling encounters with whale sharks, mantas, blue marlin and dolphins. Many private homes and small hotels offer rooms for rent, and street-side restaurants provide tasty, well-prepared meals at bargain prices. Locals are warm and friendly. It's not unusual for a curious visitor to be invited for an afternoon's conversation on a shady porch.
Ask me about Guanaja. I lived there for seven years and loved it. I still do. It's not like anything you've ever known. The tiny, populated settlement known as Bonacca is a crazy, crisscross maze of streets and alleyways where countless small stores and more than 5,000 people live on stilts over the water. By contrast, Guanaja's lush, green hills appear surprisingly empty with only a handful of small villages -- Mangrove Bight, Savannah Bight, and North East Bight -- dotting her shores. You'll find some lovely resorts here, but no roads or cars. A string of jewel-like cays graces the barrier reef on the south side, offering splendid views. For divers, Guanaja provides exceptional sites among the most diverse collection of marine invertebrates in the Caribbean.
Dreaming of the South Pacific? We have the next best thing, just ten miles offshore from mainland Honduras. The archipelago of Cayos Cochinos (Hog Islands) is a biological reserve under the supervision of the Smithsonian Institute. Although the name may not conjure up visions of loveliness, it's misleading, these islands are undeniably "little jewels." This is an enchanting destination with only one ten-room resort. It's a little harder to get to but once you're there, you'll never want to leave.
Then there's Barbareta, the treasure of the Bay Islands. This private 1200-acre island is a magnificent and pristine example, both marine and terrestrial, of all the ecosystems in our archipelago. Imagine a sculptured green island with velvety hillsides and a surround of colorful reefs -- a dazzling portrait of the beauty found in the Bay Islands. So, what are you waiting for?
When you come to Roatan, be sure to stop by our office in Coxen Hole and say hello. We'd like to meet you!
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