Dive Shop

Dive Shop

Dive into Adventure: Explore the Underwater Treasures of Roatan with Us!

Hey there, fellow adventurers!

We’re beyond excited to share some amazing news from our slice of paradise at Camp Bay Lodge. Our brand-new dive operation is officially open, and we can’t wait for you to dive into the stunning underwater world of Roatan with us!

Why Camp Bay Lodge Is Your Perfect Diving Destination

At Camp Bay Lodge, we believe in creating unforgettable experiences for our guests. Picture this: you wake up in your cozy beachfront room, step onto the soft sand, and gaze out at the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean Sea. Your day is filled with the thrill of exploration, and we’re here to take you on that journey!

Dive Into Our Adventure!

Our dive operation has been crafted with passion and expertise, ensuring that your underwater explorations are not only safe but also extraordinary. Here’s what awaits you:

  1. Guided Dive Trips: Get ready to dive into some of Roatan’s East End’s most stunning spots! Our experienced guides will take you to iconic locations like Dolphin’s Den, Morat Wall, and Pigeon Cay. With valet-style service and brand-new gear, you’re set for an amazing experience. Explore captivating swim-throughs, dramatic canyons, and even encounter sharks up close! Our guides are excited to share their knowledge about Roatan’s vibrant marine life, making every dive a memorable adventure. Join us and create unforgettable memories!
  2. PADI Certification Courses: Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to advance your skills, we’ve got you covered. Our PADI-certified instructors create a welcoming and supportive environment that makes learning fun and engaging. You’ll not only gain new skills but also build confidence as you explore the stunning underwater realm.
  3. Snorkeling Excursions: For those who prefer exploring at a leisurely pace, our snorkeling tours offer the perfect way to connect with the ocean’s wonders. Suitable for all ages, it’s a fantastic way for families to bond while enjoying the beauty that lies beneath the surface.
  4. Customized Packages: We know that every adventure is unique, and we’re here to make your dream diving experience a reality. Let us know what you’re looking for, and we’ll tailor a package just for you!

Beyond the Dive

We’re not just about diving at Camp Bay Lodge. After your underwater escapades, you can relax on our beautiful beaches, enjoy delectable local dishes at our on-site restaurant, or unwind with a cocktail while watching the sunset over the ocean. Our lodge offers the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation, creating an idyllic escape for everyone.

When to Experience Roatan

Roatan is blessed with warm weather and turquoise waters all year round! The best time to visit is from March to the end of September, but the conditions can be spectacular throughout the year.

Join Our Family

So, are you ready to embark on an unforgettable diving adventure with us? At Camp Bay Lodge, we’re more than just a hotel—we’re a family that is passionate about sharing the beauty of Roatan with you especially the East End.

All our staff members are friendly and professional, dedicated to ensuring you have an exceptional experience from the moment you arrive.

For more information or to book your stay and dive packages, visit [insert your website link] or reach out to us at campbaylodge@gmail.com

Let’s make some incredible memories together—your adventure at Camp Bay Lodge is just a dive away! 🌊🦈✨

 

Divemaster Ben

Ben is truly the heartbeat of our dive operation. His extensive knowledge of the island’s dive sites is nothing short of amazing. As a native Garifuna, he has a deep connection to the sea that’s rooted in his heritage, making him not just a guide, but a passionate steward of the ocean. Whether you’re a seasoned diver or a beginner, Ben’s expertise and love for the underwater world will elevate your experience!

 

 

Captain Hanford

Dive Shop Boat Captain Roatan

What can we say about Hanford? He has been a valued member of the East End Connection since its early days in 2013. Not only is he one of the finest captains of this island, but more importantly, he is a remarkable human being. With his conscientious and soft-spoken nature, he creates a pleasant environment for everyone around him. You can always rest assured that he is taking good care of both people and responsibilities. Engaging him in conversation reveals a deep thinker with a profound understanding of life.

Native from Diamond Rock.

 

Meet Kevin, our Dive Shop Manager and Dive Instructor! He’ll likely be your first contact when you arrive in Roatan. Kevin is in charge of organizing all your diving activities and conducting PADI certifications, ensuring you’re ready for underwater adventures. He’s passionate about the ocean and loves to decimate the Lion Fish population to help protect the local marine ecosystem. When the winds are right, you can find him kiteboarding and enjoying getting airborne! With Kevin leading your adventure, you’re in for an incredible experience exploring the beautiful waters of Roatan!

 

Pricelist Diving East End Connection

Book here: https://www.kitesurfroatan.com/diving

 

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Pricelist Diving East End Connection
Roatan East End Dive Shop
Dive Shop East End Roatan
Meet local People Roatan
Kite & Dive Holidays in Caribbean
Kite & Dive Holidays in Caribbeab
Dive Master Roatan Camp Bay Lodge
Paya Bay Dive Resort Honduras
Camp Bay Lodge Dive Resort

Specialty Coffee at the Lodge

Specialty Coffee at the Lodge

Welcome to 2024! We are thrilled to share our latest venture with you. Introducing our very first specialty coffee blend, carefully crafted in partnership with Arturo from Hacienda Rosario. This double fermented, washed Arabica Catuaí medium roast offers a delightful taste profile of sweet caramel and rich chocolate, a result of the region’s impressive altitude of 4500 feet. While Honduras is renowned worldwide for its coffee exports, it’s worth mentioning that the Marcala region is considered the crème de la crème of Central American coffee regions.

During our memorable family road trip last June, friends urged us to visit Hotel Montecillo in the captivating La Paz department. The journey into Lenca territory, as we ascended the mountains, was nothing short of spectacular. Arturo’s reputation preceded him, but it was his exceptional craftsmanship and talent that truly left us in awe. Alongside his outstanding coffee production, his flourishing goat farm and artisanal cheese production added an extra layer of joy to our experience. And if that wasn’t enough, we had the pleasure of sampling his homemade craft beer, particularly the IPA, which was absolutely excellent.

At Hacienda Rosario, we were not only captivated by the superior quality of the coffee, but also deeply impressed by their unwavering commitment to ecological practices and sustainability. Arturo, a genuine master of his trade, ensures that every product he offers exudes an unparalleled level of excellence.

We cannot contain our excitement for you to savor the exceptional quality and delve into the rich heritage that this coffee blend brings to your cup. Whether you enjoy it during your visit or treasure it at home, we eagerly await your thoughts and feedback.

To place your order directly with Arturo, visit the official Buxo website, or kindly contact him at customerservice@buxoexports.com or call +504-99823917.

He can also drop ship to your US home address!

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Camp Bay Lodge Coffee
Artisan Coffee Farm Honduras
Artisan Coffee Honduras
Artisan Coffee Honduras

Sustainable Hotel Secrets

Sustainable Hotel Secrets

We know how important it is to minimise our impact on the environment so we can enjoy the beauty and serenity of nature. There’s a lot that can be done and there’s a lot that’s out of our control, but we want to share with you how we’re doing our best to put the planet first by reducing waste and protecting resources. Read on to discover Camp Bay Lodge’s sustainable secrets!

Why is Sustainability Important?

As natural disasters cause massive damage all over the world, it has become increasingly obvious that we have to take responsibility for the environmental damage that humans have caused and change our ways to more eco-friendly practices. Water is an incredibly precious resource, with freshwater making up only 3% of the water on Earth, and the process of making saltwater drinkable being very costly. That’s why it’s crucial we reduce water waste and implement greywater systems in our gardens. 

Likewise, plastic waste is making some coastlines around the world unsuitable for human or animal life, as 32% of the world’s plastic packaging ends up in the sea, and 73% of all rubbish found on beaches is plastic. Since 79% of all plastic becomes landfill or pollutes the environment, if we’re going to look after our environment, including our precious waters and marine life, we have to reduce our plastic use, and recycle and reuse as much as we can. 

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Art of Living

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Book Your Camp Bay Stay!

At Camp Bay Lodge, we pride ourselves on our eco-friendly practices while ensuring the comfort and enjoyment of our guests. Book your stay now, or contact us for more information.

Camp Bay Lodge Logo

 

How is Camp Bay Lodge Helping?

Roatan is an incredibly beautiful island, and we want to keep it that way! That’s why we’ve taken measures to reduce our waste, energy-consumption and recycle as much as possible. 

Kitchen

There’s more to a sustainable hotel than the rooms, and our kitchen is the heart of ours, serving fresh food from 7.30 am to 19.30 pm to guests and visitors alike. We buy our fruit, vegetables and fish from local markets to reduce the carbon emissions caused by transportation as well as support our local farmers and fishermen.

Rachel, our head chef, makes all of our bread and cakes herself, from largely locally-sourced ingredients, which further reduces transportation and plastic use while supplying our guests with delicious produce.

Kitchens can produce a lot of waste, from leftover food to the packaging of ingredients. All of our food waste is fed to pigs, just a few kilometres down the road from the hotel, as an eco-friendly disposal method. What’s more, we don’t have much packaging since the majority of our ingredients are locally sourced, and we’re working on ways of recycling the little rubbish that we do produce.

Hotel

All of our boutique hotel rooms are unique with their own character. However, every room is fitted with flexible wooden louvred shutters, so that the air current may easily pass through, cooling the rooms and reducing the need for air conditioning – although we do have air conditioning for the very hot days. Of course, each room also has mosquito nets fitted to the windows for the comfort of our guests. 

We have also fitted LED lights and modern appliances in our rooms and restaurant, as they are more energy-efficient and reduce electricity usage. Our housekeepers also follow sustainable practices, cleaning rooms with non-toxic chemicals, which are known to be safer for our waters and environment in general.  

Garden

One of the main factors that makes a garden unsustainable, is the sheer quantity of water used to maintain the plant life. That’s why xeriscaping is the future of manmade gardens. 

Xeriscaping involves using drought-resistant native plant species in a garden and greatly benefits the environment. Native plants are accustomed to their habitat and so require less water, no changes to the soil consistency or pH levels, and they have a natural resistance to pests. This means, less water is used, no CO2 is released into the atmosphere due to soil tilling, and no fertilisers are needed to keep the plants healthy. 

When a diverse range of native plants is chosen, they become a welcoming habitat for local wildlife, and further reduce maintenance as weeds have no room or resources to grow. 

The water that we do use to maintain our gardens comes from our greywater system. That means, the water used in showers, sinks and washing machines, gets stored for later use and reused for irrigating the trees and shrubs surrounding us.

Beach

The strong winds and waves can sometimes wash up a lot of waste onto the beach. While most of it is natural, algae and seaweeds, intertwined with the leaves, you can often find plastic bags and bottles. Our maintenance staff help us clean the beaches of this waste each morning and we encourage our guests to help keep our natural environment clean by putting their rubbish in bins located on either side of our restaurant.

If you want to help further, our kitchen staff are happy to give out bin bags to anyone who wants to help by collecting rubbish as they take a stroll along the beach.

We know that big corporations and manufacturers are causing the greatest amount of pollution and damage to our environment, but together, we can make a positive difference. beachfront roatan hotel

 

 

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When is the Best Time to Visit Roatan?

When is the Best Time to Visit Roatan?

 

A Caribbean island north of Honduras’ north shore, Roatan is an ideal holiday destination. From long sandy beaches and tropical forests to vast marine life, it has a lot to offer for any kind of holiday, but choosing the best time to visit Roatan can be tricky.

Since the annual temperature only differs by 8°C, day and night, with lows at a very mild 25°C, the climate can be welcoming all year, especially to divers who can enjoy the warm waters and aquatic life. However, the rainy season may be off-putting to some, so it’s important to time your stay well. 

We’ve put together the best parts of each season, to help you decide when to visit Roatan.

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Summer:

Jun-Jul-Aug

At the beginning of summer in Roatan, the weather starts to heat up, reaching around 32°C daily. This humid, tropical heat can be very enticing to some people, so if you visit the island in the summer months, make sure you bring a good sunscreen. July is considered the hottest month, and the heat makes the sea all the more inviting, so pack your swimming costume and snorkel if you have one – if not, there are plenty of places to rent gear all along the coastline. 

A common question when talking of the Roatan climate is: “are there mosquitoes in Roatan?” And yes, there are. Since the island has a regular eastern wind, however, the mosquitoes don’t pose much of a problem, and cases of malaria and dengue fever on the island are incredibly rare.

You can witness more turtle nesting in summer with Camp Bay welcoming more of these cute sea creatures in June. 

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Winter:

Dec-Jan-Feb

Rain continues into December, however January sees the peak of the rainfall. Unlike other tropical countries, rainy season largely means heavy showers rather than continual rain, and most of it occurs in the early mornings, so you can still enjoy a pleasant day out. Thanks to this, the island is still a popular destination for the Christmas holidays and New Year celebrations. 

The brilliant greenery in the island’s forests remains luscious through to spring as the rains end, so to get the most out of it while still staying dry, February is a great month to stay in Roatan. February is also the month of love, with Valentine’s Day in the middle, and at Camp Bay Lodge, we can make your romantic getaway extra special, find out more here

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Spring:

Mar-Apr-May

Spring is possibly the best time to visit Roatan as the combination of great weather, animal life, and holidays and events means there is plenty of time to sunbathe and unwind, or, if you prefer, get active. March marks the beginning of the dry season in Roatan so you won’t be bothered by any showers, and the temperature is starting to warm up again towards 30°C so you can really make the most of the pristine beaches and crystal clear waters. 

March also sees the beginning of turtle nesting season on the island. There are many different nesting sites across the island, but in March, they can be seen nesting on the Camp Bay beaches on Roatan’s East End.

Also sometimes in March, but more often in April, we have the Easter holidays. This is a popular time for tourists to visit the island due to school holidays, however it’s also a great time to see how the locals celebrate. Roatan has a large cultural mix, so you can see different celebrations across the communities on the island. 

April is also the month of the annual Garifuna festival in Punta Gorda. With singing, dancing, eating and drinking, this is a fun event to get involved with.

For fans of apnoea diving, despite being able to enjoy the island all year round, you can also visit in May to witness the island’s annual freediving competition. Also, while kitesurfing season may already be well under way, by spring, there are fewer showers than in January and February, so more time to get out on the water.

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Autumn:

Sep-Oct-Nov

The end of summer also sees the tourist season wind down as the temperature begins to drop and the rainy season begins. September is usually very pleasant, as in spring, however the rains in October through to December mean the end of the kitesurfing season and less pleasant beach walks and swimming. However, the rainy season in Roatan can be incredibly scenic, so if you prefer to get out of the crowds and enjoy a quiet break on the island, complete with incredible thunderstorms and hikes through strikingly lush greenery, then autumn is the best time for you to visit Roatan

In Autumn we also have a few Honduran national holidays on the island. Come join in the celebrations on 15 September for Independence Day, 3 October for Soldier’s Day or 21 October for Army Day celebrating the overthrow of dictator Julio Lozano Díaz in 1956. 

What’s more, since the temperatures are falling and schools are restarting, the off-peak season in Roatan can often make everything from flights and car rental to accommodation much cheaper. 

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Finally

There is no definitive ‘best time to visit Roatan’ as each season has great positives for every interest. Camp Bay Lodge has something for everyone, whether you’re looking to get away from the city and unwind surrounded by nature, or get active out at sea. 

Book your stay or take a look at our other blogs

Getting Around Roatan

Getting Around Roatan

 

Roatan might be a small island, at just 77 km across and 8 km from North to South, but it can still be difficult to navigate due to the still-growing infrastructure. Boats are one of the most common and easy ways to get around the island for the locals, but with the roads being built further East, it’s becoming just as easy to take a form of taxi or bus. Keep reading to learn how to get around Roatan.

Travelling to Roatan

Arriving on the island is very simple as there are only two options: by air, and by sea. You can fly to Roatan from Toncontín Airport in Tegucigalpa or Ramón Villeda Morales Airport in San Pedro Sula directly with CM Airlines, arriving at Juan Manuel Gálvez Airport in Coxen Hole, in the West of the island. A very small airport, it was updated in 2013 to include some cafes, restaurants, a pharmacy and a small duty free section. 

Or, if you’re travelling from further afield, you can fly directly from Miami Airport with American Airlines, or George Bush Airport in Houston, Texas with United Airlines. 

If you want a more eco-friendly means of transport, you can also take the ferry from La Ceiba, in mainland Honduras, and arrive in Coxen Hole port. Galaxy Wave Ferries have two journeys per day, you can see their schedules here, as do Utila Dream Ferries, whose schedules and prices you can find here. 

For more useful information on what to bring with you and what currency to use on the island, see our blog on Travelling to Roatan

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Boat-Caribbean-Sea-Roatan

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east end roatan ocean view

Should I Rent a Car in Roatan?

It can be beneficial to rent a car while you’re in Roatan, so you can have the freedom to move around the island as you please, however, it’s not necessary in order to get around. 

You can rent cars at Juan Manuel Gálvez Airport, or if you decide when you’re already here, then your hotel can help you arrange a car rental. Dilbert car rental is available in Politilly Bight in the East, where there are also ATVs available to rent, for a different view of the island.

You can rent scooters while in Roatan as well, but make sure the rental company gives you a good quality helmet. The police can be very strict on road safety, and it’s important to prioritise your own safety regardless. Your hotel can also help you arrange this. 

 

Finally

There are plenty of ways of getting around Roatan, whether you drive along the coastal roads to take in the sea view, or take a boat trip to get an outside view of the island. At Camp Bay Lodge, we pride ourselves on ensuring our guests have the best possible island experience. Discover our hotel, or find out everything you need to know about Roatan here.

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Getting Around the Island

Most Roatan blogs will tell you that the East of the island is virtually unreachable, but not anymore. As more and more people search for a peaceful break surrounded by nature, the East end is growing in popularity and is becoming more easily accessible. How do you get from the West End to the East End and back? You’re about to find out!

How Do I Get to the West End?

The West End is actually not the most western point of Roatan, but rather, a popular area for tourists on the north shore in the west side of the island. Just 10 km from Roatan airport, you can take a taxi or drive to West End in 25 – 30 minutes, either taking the northern coastal road through Sandy Bay or the southern coastal road through Gravel Bay. From here you can continue for another 10 minutes down West Bay Road to arrive in West Bay, the furthest point West in Roatan. There is also a public bus to the West End from Coxen Hole, although there are no official stops, so you have to wave down the bus and tell the driver when you need to get off.

You can also take boat trips from many points along the West coast all around the island, just head to the beach and ask!

It’s a popular area for diving, watching sunsets and visiting the famous Gumbalimba Park, so a trip out West should not be missed while you’re in Roatan.

How Do I Get to the East End?

To reach the East end of Roatan, you can take the Carretera Principal eastwards, through French Harbour, to arrive in Politilly Bight, Punta Gorda, Oakridge or Camp Bay. To reach the easternmost point of Roatan, Santa Elena, or St Helene, you’ll have to take a boat as there is a large mangrove forest separating the island. You can do this via water taxi from Oakridge, where you can also take a mangrove tour or snorkelling tour around the many shipwrecks, islands and the barrier reef. 

If you don’t want to rent a car or take a taxi, there is also public transport on the island. A bus runs from Coxen Hole to Oakridge approximately every 20 minutes, and costs less than 2$. From here you can take a mototaxi (like a tuk tuk), a water taxi, or a normal taxi, to complete your journey. Bear in mind, however, that there are no public transport services on Sundays!

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Why Should I Visit Punta Gorda?

Why Should I Visit Punta Gorda?

Punta Gorda is a protected Garifuna community in the Honduran island of Roatan with a rich culture and long history. You can’t stay in Roatan without visiting Punta Gorda and experiencing the music and food at least once. But why should you visit Punta Gorda? You’re about to find out!

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Who are the Garifuna People?

After many of the native islanders were wiped out by diseases brought over by the European colonists, the Garifuna people were effectively the first settlers on the island, although originally from elsewhere in the Caribbean. After the British defeated the French in St Vincent in 1797, the local Garifuna people were exiled to the British-owned island of Rattan (now known as Roatan), where some stayed to form the community of Punta Gorda, and others travelled on to Central America where they settled in Belize, Guatemala and Nicaragua. 

As they travelled, they brought with them their unique style of music and dancing as well as their traditional food and drink, so a trip down to Punta Gorda should not be missed.

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Food & Drink

Eating and drinking is a great social activity and can bring you closer to friends, strangers, and a person’s culture, so whenever you make your trip to Punta Gorda, make sure you grab a bite to eat. 

The Garifuna people have a great number of traditional dishes, many of which are on display at the annual festival. Some well known ones include Casabe, a baked cassava tortilla, and Tatau, a coconut-seafood ensemble. As well as the rum concoction of Guifiti, there is also a popular drink called Hin, a beer-like drink made from Yuca, and a fermented corn and sugar cane drink called Marmara.

 

Cassava-Preparation-Punta-Gorda-Festival-Roatan

When Should I Visit Punta Gorda?

The best time to visit Punta Gorda is on a Sunday evening as you’ll get to witness the incredible Punta dancing and indulge in some awesome street food, however you can also visit during April to see the annual Garifuna festival. This way you can also coincide your trip with the Easter holidays and see how the locals celebrate Semana Santa.

The weather on Roatan is exceptional for nine months of the year, only marred by regular showers from October to January, so ultimately the best time to visit Roatan is dependent on whether you’re going for a family holiday, a romantic getaway, an activity-filled trip or beach break.

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Where is Punta Gorda?

Punta Gorda is located on the north shore on the east end of Roatan, approximately 30 km from Coxen Hole in the west. It’s easily reachable by car and taxi, but can also be accessed via boat, as many of the communities on the island are coastal. It’s just 10 km from Camp Bay to the east and 5 km from Oakridge to the south. There are plenty of reasons to visit Roatan, but the east end of Roatan has plenty to offer adventurers and beach-goers alike.

Garifuna-People

Why Should I Visit Punta Gorda?

There are many different reasons to visit Punta Gorda while you’re in Roatan, from dancing to eating, but ultimately, you shouldn’t miss this great opportunity to dive into another culture.

Music

The Garifuna people have a great musical tradition, with various types of music including Hungu-Hungu, Wanaragua, Sambai, and of course, Punta. Punta is the most famed style of music and dancing, with a fast tempo rhythm being beaten out on drums, tambourines and maracas, while an individual takes to the floor. They dance with their upper body rigid and still, while their hips and feet move quickly, sometimes outstretching their arms and spinning as they quick-step, before stopping and letting another person take the floor. 

It’s such a high energy performance from both musicians and dancers, that it can be a great sight to behold, and, if you’re brave enough, join in with. Every Sunday from early evening onwards you can amble down the main street in Punta Gorda, parallel with the coast, and see the wonderful Punta dancing or go to a more modern nightclub in the same street.

Festival

Every year on 12 April, there is an all-day festival that celebrates the Garifuna community. They reenact their arrival on the island by marching along the streets, and sailing in boats to Punta Gorda, where a feast is laid out and the community and visitors can join in story-telling, singing, and eating and drinking the local food and drink before dancing the night away. Dressed in their native clothing, this is quite a spectacle and shouldn’t be missed. 

You’ll get the chance to try coconut bread, plantain and soup, all prepared in a traditional manner, and of course, home-brewed Guifiti. Also known as Gifiti or Guifity, this popular Garifuna alcoholic drink is made of rum, herbs and is very strong. Tourists are advised to sample the beverage, but not to overindulge, since it’s home-brewed it’s impossible to determine the strength of the drink, and is often incredibly potent. 

Dock-Punta-Gorda-Roatan

Book your Camp Bay Stay!

The east side of Roatan is more isolated and so the perfect place for a peaceful trip, although thanks to the Garifuna community, there’s plenty of fun to be had too. At Camp Bay Lodge we value serenity and mindfulness while celebrating the local culture that surrounds us. Book your stay now or check out our other blogs for more information.

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Visit Roatan: Island Paradise

Visit Roatan: Island Paradise

 

Despite belonging to Honduras, Roatan and the other Bay islands couldn’t be more different. The history, language, weather and culture of Roatan is more closely linked with the Caribbean, with of course other worldly influences as a result of the colonial history, and influx of tourism in the last few decades. If you’re wondering why you should visit Roatan, keep reading to learn Everything You Need to Know About Our Island Paradise!

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History

Roatan, like many Caribbean islands, has a long and interesting history, with many changes taking places due to the arrival of European travellers, the Atlantic Slave Trade, the abolition of slavery and the boom in the tourist industry after the Second World War.

Many of the native peoples died as a result of the European illnesses that were carried over by colonisers, and many new settlers, traders, navies and pirates frequenting the island caused a great deal of upheaval for many centuries. The Spanish colonists were ransacking the lands to bring treasures back to Royalty in Europe, however, they often encountered pirates, who, according to legend, hid a great deal of treasure that can still be found in the island’s caves today.

For the majority of the 17th century, Roatan was a British colony, although many battles with the Spanish over dominance in the Caribbean meant the island changed hands relatively regularly. However, after the British defeated the French in St Vincent in 1797 and deported the Garifuna people to Roatan, a large percentage of Garifuna people migrated to Central America, while many others formed communities on Roatan, including the town of Punta Gorda towards the East.

Just three decades later, after the abolition of slavery in British colonies, many former slaves and slave owners, travelled from the neighbouring Cayman islands to settle in Roatan, who now form the majority of the island population.

Around 1860, Roatan became a Honduran state and steadily the population of the island grew with Spanish speakers. However due to the rapid increase in tourism in more recent years, a large part of the island hails from English-speaking countries of USA, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and South Africa, in turn bringing more Hondurans to the island to work in the tourism industry.

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Weather

The weather in Roatan holds more misconceptions, as it doesn’t share exactly the same seasons as Central America. Rainy season in Roatan takes place from October to December, with short periods of rain in January, but despite the name, it’s not constant rain, but rather intermittent showers.

The rest of the year sees bright sunshine, with the annual temperature on the island reaching 32°C (89.6°F) and only dropping to 25°C (77°F). There’s also usually wind coming from the East so the water on the Southside has a stronger current than the north shore; that’s why Roatan is one of the best places to dive in the Caribbean.

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Activities

Originally a touristic spot for divers, there are plenty of activities on the island, both in the sea and on the land.

Aquatic activities

Scuba diving is one of the most popular activities in Roatan due to the location next to the largest barrier reef in the northern hemisphere, which provides an array of fish and coral to discover. Every May there is a freediving competition which can be viewed by spectators in West Bay Beach.

If you still want a look at the aquatic animals but aren’t into diving, there are plenty of snorkelling opportunities across the island too; when the water is calm, you can see the many fishes on all sides of Roatan’s coast. It’s also a popular spot for fly fishing due to the biodiversity in the surrounding waters.

If you want to stay above the water, Roatan’s only kitesurfing school is located in Camp Bay in the east of the island, which is the main kite location on the island but they also take visitors daily to the best kitesurfing spots in Roatan via boat.

It can be very pleasant to take in the island from a different perspective and kayaking or stand up paddleboarding are fantastic ways of doing so in a calm way. Camp Bay Lodge offers opportunities for SUP board and kayak rentals in Roatan.

Exploring the Land

Roatan also has much to offer on the land, thanks to the beautiful green ridge that runs through the island. You can easily hike through the ridge from the east side and take in the stunning views of the northern and southern coastline from the same spot. Book a guided hike here.

You can also experience an aerial view of the island with several different ziplining parks in the west end of the island.

For calmer activities while you enjoy your stay in Roatan, Camp Bay Lodge has weekly yoga sessions with a beach view as well as opportunities for different water sports. Find out more here.

 

Visit Roatan

Although it’s a small island, Roatan has plenty to see and do, and it may seem a little daunting to organise your stay to make the most of your days and ensure some time to unwind.

Roatan-Beach-Palm-Tree

Location

Roatan is an island in the Caribbean sea between Utila and Guanaja, together making up the Honduran Bay Islands. 65 km from mainland Honduras, Roatan sits just south of the Cayman Trough, a hotspot for marine life which also venture closer to the shores of Roatan itself. It’s surrounded by the Roatan Barrier Reef, the second largest barrier reef in the world, after Australia’s, which provides a perfect natural habitat for curious aquatic creatures, making Roatan a great place for diving.

The island itself is relatively small, at around 77 km long, and 8 km wide, with a maximum altitude of 274 m (900 ft) at its highest point. Coxen Hole is the capital and the most populous town on the island, located next to Juan Manuel Galvez airport in the west. The west side of the island has numerous luxurious resorts and hotels, while the east side has much less development, with communities focused in the areas of Oakridge, Punta Gorda and Camp Bay. Beyond these villages, further east, you’ll find a large mangrove forest which separates almost a quarter of the island entirely from the rest, so is only accessible by boat. If you stay in Roatan you should definitely visit the East End of Roatan.

Roatan does not observe daylight savings time, so uses Central Standard Time (CST, or GMT-6) and all year long.

Shipwreck-Roatan-Dixon-Cove

Roatan-Buildings-Port

 

Language

Since Honduras is a Spanish-speaking country, there is a popular misconception that Roatan is also a Spanish-speaking island. However, due to the complicated history of the island, Roatan is predominantly English-speaking.

Some islanders use an English-based Creole, and some migrants from the mainland Honduras largely speak Spanish, however English is by far the most common language found on the island due to the tourism sector. Staying in Roatan you’ll be fine with English or Spanish.

Roatan-Blue-Skies-Blue-Water

Nature

Despite being a small island, Roatan’s flora and fauna are vast and varied, both on land and in the sea.

Land

From mangroves to pine trees, and of course palm trees and tropical almonds, there is a wide scope of biodiversity on Roatan, and plenty of animals to enjoy it too.

You can see Black iguanas all around Roatan, although most live in protected areas such as Gumbalimba Park, which also allows opportunities to meet the cheeky white-faced capuchin monkeys and elegant red and green macaws. More elusive are the Guatusas (agoutis), opossums and white-tailed deer, although you might be lucky to see them in the evenings or on hikes through the island if you’re quiet.

Roatan is a birdwatcher’s paradise as well, with over 40 bird species on the island permanently and another 80 migratory birds; parrots, macaws and trogons are great sights to behold at any time of the year, but make sure you arrive during spring and summer to catch a glimpse of the white ibis or brown pelican.

While there are crocodiles in Roatan, sightings are becoming increasingly rare, and are restricted to the mangroves on the far east of the island. There are, however, several lizard and frog species on the island, the latter being found in the trees of dense forest, as well as a non-venomous snake species native to the island, who also remain elusive.

Sea

The sea around Roatan has a completely different energy to that of the land, with many different fish species on show in the island’s famous barrier reef. While snorkelling you can also see rays and sea turtles, as well as nurse sharks, which pose no threat to humans. Occasionally whale sharks and hammerhead sharks can also be spotted in the waters, although these sightings are also becoming rarer.

Roatan wildlife is as varied as it is colourful.

roatan eco lodge

woman doing yoga in camp bay roatan

 

At Camp Bay Lodge, we value mindfulness and tranquillity immersing ourselves in nature and the environment. Book your stay, or take a look at our other blogs to learn more.

New Yoga Teacher Training: Roatan Honduras

New Yoga Teacher Training: Roatan Honduras

We are sooo excited!

Please hear the drumming bells, because …

Camp Bay Lodge will be kicking off the new year with hosting a 200hr Yoga Teacher Training in Roatan-Honduras from a beautiful Yoga school in Canada Shanti Yoga, school of traditional yoga.

There is no prior experience needed, if you’ve always dream to go deeper in your own yoga practice or feel the call to experience teaching yoga, we invite you to look at this short video!

Meanwhile, if you don’t know about our little paradise… We are a small heart minded based Lodge with a #mindfulstay purpose, we live simply and love deeply. We are located in the non-touristy area of Roatan, wich is one very cute Caribbean Island part of the Bay Island in Honduras. It is partly English (well Island English) as it comes from a British colony and you’ll hear some Spanish as well as many people came to the Island from the mainland of Honduras.

Finally, if you live in central America or Honduras and are comfortable speaking English, please reach out if you feel called by this retreat & training.

If you wish to book your YTT in Camp Bay Lodge, Roatan, Honduras, send your application to this address.

Meanwhile, we are looking forward to see you!

https://www.shantiyogatraining.ca/application-roatan-ytt/

PICTURES

Yoga Teacher Training Roatan

Low Stress Roatan Family Vacations

Low Stress Roatan Family Vacations

Low Stress Roatan Family Vacations

Going on vacation with the whole family can be incredibly stressful.  Trying to keep track of everyone and their belongings is only the beginning.  Then you have to navigate your way around strange environments and sleep in unfamiliar beds while ensuring everyone is getting what they want out of the holiday.  That said, when visiting a warm tropical environment such as Roatan, it seems easier to slow down and enjoy the trip.  Why is that?  In this post, we’ll show why low stress Roatan family vacations are easy to pull off.

A Slower Pace Of Life

If you haven’t heard of “island time,” you should understand that the pace of life on many tropical islands is often much slower than what you’re used to back home.  Some of it has to do with the heat, some of it is just a more laid back attitude.  What’s for certain is that very seldom will you find people in a rush or acting upset if you’re late.  This may sound unfamiliar and possibly inconvenient, but if you can embrace it, you’ll certainly enjoy a low stress Roatan family vacation.  Take advantage of it.  After all, you’re on holiday!

The Beaches Are Beautiful

Roatan has long stretches of powdery white sand beaches with clear blue turquoise waters.  There’s no better way to relax with the family than lounging on the beach.  The kids will love the warm water and clean sand, while mom and dad can kick back on a sun lounger and enjoy a tropical beverage.  Let the Roatan sun, sand and sound of the waves create a relaxing backdrop for a low stress family vacation.

Plenty Of Activities for All Ages

If you don’t want to spend your entire vacation relaxing on the beach, Roatan provides plenty of activities for all ages and dispositions.  If your children are older, this can allow for some valuable solo time.  Work on your mindfulness with a yoga class while the more adventurous go kitesurfing.  Spend some time snorkelling or scuba diving while the animal lovers check out the monkeys, sloths and iguanas.  Roatan offers enough unique adventures to ensure your family doesn’t get bored or tired of each other’s company.

Easy Access

As opposed to many other Caribbean islands, Roatan is easily accessible with direct flights from the US and Canada.  You won’t have to worry about making connections if you’re flying out of Miami, Atlanta, Houston or Toronto.  Direct flights make traveling easier, especially if there are young children or senior citizens in your group.  

Roatan Is Exotic, But Not Completely Unfamiliar

Roatan is different enough that you’ll feel like you’re on a foreign vacation, but not so different that you’ll be paralysed with culture shock.  Although the official language of Honduras (the country that the island of Roatan belongs to) is Spanish, you won’t have any problem getting around and doing what you want to do in Roatan if you only speak English.  Virtually all the Islanders speak English, and if they don’t, someone nearby will.  

 

Roatan Activities: Kitesurfing

Roatan Activities: Kitesurfing

Roatan Activities: Learn to Kitesurf

As the travel world opens up after a couple of years of Covid-related restrictions, people are eager to make up for lost time.  The Honduran island of Roatan, like most tourist-oriented locales, has been gladly welcoming back visitors.  While Roatan is well known around the world for its spectacular and affordable scuba diving, if you’re looking for more unique Roatan activities:  learn to kitesurf at Camp Bay Lodge.

Why The North Shore Of Roatan Is Suited To Kitesurfing

The two natural ingredients necessary for kitesurfing are water and wind.  While the entire island of Roatan is surrounded by water, some of the best wind conditions occur on the northeast shore.  Easterly trade winds coming across the Atlantic from Africa, known as L’Alize, buffet the island’s north coast and create reliable near year-round conditions for kitesurfing.  

The Perfect Elements For A Kitesurfing School

Add the turquoise blue waters and the mile-long stretch of white sand beach at Camp Bay to the L’Alize and you have the perfect spot in Roatan to learn to kitesurf.  Camp Bay Lodge is run by long-time kitesurfers who are dedicated to growing the sport among the local population by teaching them to teach visitors the nuances of the sport.

Need To Know For Kitesurfing Beginners

One aspect of kitesurfing that makes it so attractive to all sexes is that it doesn’t require exceptional upper body strength.  Choosing the right kite while employing feeling, finesse and form is much more important since the wind does all the heavy lifting.  You’ll find your body’s core gets a good workout, but that doesn’t sway the sport exclusively male.

Previous Sporting Experience

Of course, as with any skill, previous experience with similar skills can help a beginner learn to kitesurf more quickly.  If you’ve done any sort of boardsport, such as surfing, wakeboarding, snowboarding or skateboarding, you’ll already have an understanding of the feeling required to remain balanced on the water.  However, because you’ll more than likely take some tumbles, being able to swim is a prerequisite.

How Long Will It Take To Be Able To Kitesurf?

Although it’ll be different for everybody, if you dedicate yourself to three days of four hour lessons you should be able to ride alone with confidence.  From there you can learn some of the more advanced skills.

What Can You Do To Learn To Kitesurf Faster?

If you want to give yourself a head start before you even hit the water, check to see if there are any power kiting or traction kiting enthusiasts in your area.  This entails flying a kite on dryland and learning how to steer it.  It will also give you insight into the various sections of the wind window which is an important skill in kitesurfing.  If you can’t find an actual power or traction kite to fly, simply watching some videos online will give you an understanding of the basics of kite control.

Taking Kitesurfing Lessons In Roatan

If you want to try some new Roatan activities and learn to kitesurf, head to Camp Bay Lodge for some lessons with a qualified instructor.  They’ll be able to kit you out with gear suited to your size, abilities and the current weather conditions while providing you with all the information you need to know to get yourself speeding across the water.