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a paradise in the caribbean
Roatan Island is the jewel of Honduras. The biggest and most populated of three islands located off the coast of Honduras, Roatan is well known for its various crystal-clear beaches, blue skies, and warm sun. The island is only 48 miles long and 5 miles wide. A paved road crosses the island on 75% of its length. This main road is the one that takes visitors to all the different destinations on the island and the scenery is just breathtaking.
It was the home of the Paya Indians in 1502, when Christopher Columbus arrived and discovered this region. Unclaimed for many years, the island became a haven to many famous French, English and Dutch pirates. Leaving their everlasting footprint on the history of the island, you can still hear some of the names of the most recognizable, for example: Henry Morgan and Captain John Coxen. It was estimated that over 5,000 pirates lived and ruled on the island of Roatan for many, many years. Although Spanish is the national language of Honduras and is spoken on Roatan, the English language also thrives. Its long history of mixed people from the Paya Indians (first inhabitants), the Spanish and English colonizers and thousands of pirate adventures, resulted in a mixture of very diverse cultures and languages that prevail in the islands today and offers visitors a warm and friendly environment.
Island information
Located between the islands of Utila and Guanaja, Roatan is the largest of Honduras’ Bay Islands. The Island was formerly known as Ruatan and Rattan. Roatan is about 35 miles from the northern coast of the Honduran mainland. Its proximity to the largest barrier reef in the Caribbean Sea (second in the world next to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef) makes this area perfect for scuba diving.
Roatan measures about 48 miles in length and approximately 5 miles wide at its widest point. Its Capital and most populated city in town is Coxen Hole (located south of Mahogany Bay). The island’s population is approximately 60,000 inhabitants, locally known as Caracoles.
This area is fortunate to have year round tropical warm weather; average temperatures range from 80º to 85ºF. During the year the water temperature for scuba diving varies from 70ºF minimum to 80ºF maximum.
Click here to read more about beach and coral reef etiquette at Mahogany Bay.