Roatan is located in the Western Caribbean, about 35 miles off the north coast of Honduras. It is in the central time zone - 1,100 miles south of New Orleans.
At 32 miles long and 1 to 3 miles wide, Roatan is the largest of the Bay Islands, which consist of 67 islands and cays. The terrain varies from rolling to moderately mountainous reaching 700 feet at the highest point. The ridge, which runs down the spine of the island, is formed where the peaks of the Bonacca Ridge extend above sea level. Much of the island’s paved highway runs along the top of this ridge providing spectacular vistas to the north and south.
Roatan sits on the world’s second largest coral reef system. The reef parallels the coast of Honduras and then bends north and extends past Belize to the Mexican Yucatan Peninsula. Roatan is surrounded by living reef making it a paradise for divers and snorkelers. Along the south coast, some large channels through the reef allow access to deep harbours at Coxen Hole and French Harbour, as well as safe anchorages at Port Royal and Oak Ridge.
Roatan is the transportation hub of the Bay Islands boasting an international airport as well as passenger ferry service between Coxen Hole and the mainland city of La Ceiba, and the islands of Utila and Guanaja. In season, cruise ships dock at Coxen Hole’s deep-water harbour. Many local boat owners offer day charters to the many nearby cays for snorkeling/diving or deep-sea fishing.
