Video from the Roatan International Fishing Tournament
The Island
Roatán, located between the islands of Útila and Guanaja, is the largest of Honduras' Bay Islands.
The island was formerly known as Ruatan and Rattan. It is approximately 77 kilometres (48 mi) long, and less than 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) across at its widest point. The island consists of two municipalities (out of a total of four in the department):
- José Santos Guardiola in the east (named for the former president of Honduras) and
- Roatán (also including the Cayos Cochinos) further south in the west.
The most populous town of the island is Coxen Hole, capital of Roatán municipality, located in the southwest. Other important towns include French Harbour, West End, Sandy Bay and Oak Ridge (the capital of José Santos Guardiola municipality).
The easternmost quarter of the island is separated by a channel through the mangroves that is 15 meters wide on average. This section is called Helene, or Santa Elena in Spanish. Satellite islands at the eastern end are Morat, Barbareta, and Pigeon Cay. Further west between French Harbour and Coxen Hole is Stamp Cay and Barefoot Cay.
Roatán lies on the southern edge of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, the 2nd largest barrier reef in the world.
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49 sq. miles / 127 sq. kilometers / with 23 cays
2-4 kilometers wide / 48 kilometers long
English, Spanish, Garifuna
Afro-Caribbean (including Garifuna) Angelo, Latino
Tropical: 70-90 degrees / 75%-90% humidity
Mid October - Mid February
June 1 - November 30
Tropical forests, mangroves, sandy beaches
12 mammal species, 36 species of reptiles and amphibians
Birds: 120 species of resident and migratory birds
Fringing coral reef with hundreds of fish and invertebrates
US $1 = 21 Lempiras / 1 Lempira = 5 US Cents
Imperial and Metric
110 Volts / 60 Hz
(504)
Passport, no visa required for most countries, entry usually authorized for 90 days
$39 International / Lps. 43-domestic
Drive on right. Foreign license valid for 90 days
Agree on price before ride
10% at restaurants is customary but optional