Roatan

[agwatts]

Hello All,

I'm planning a trip to Roatan in Feb. '08. I would like to take my girlfriend, except she does not dive. I need recommendations and feedback on the best places to go. For her I would be looking for beaches, horse back riding, cultural trips, etc.. Please help.

Thanks,
GW

 

[renthal]

Just got back from Anthony's Key Resort. Many on the board have said it is a good place for a non diver, and I agree.

 

[Doc]

I would like to take my girlfriend, except she does not dive. I need recommendations and feedback on the best places to go. For her I would be looking for beaches, horse back riding, cultural trips, etc..

Roatan has horseback riding nearby AKR.

That is the extent of culture unless she hops a plane to Guatemala or the Copan ruins on the mainland. Roatan has some sandy beachy areas, notably a short cab ride West of AKR to West End.

Not an island well suited yet for non-divers. Time will change that. Encourage her to go just to veg out. Better yet- for a potential of a life together, get her to try snorkeling. Then try a SCUBA "experience", it's much easier than swimming. Hey- all you have to do is sink.

 

[Bay Island Diver]

I'd go for West Bay, depending on your budget Mayan Princess is the nicest email sm60a@aol.comto get rooms at only $100 (less than half price)

You may well be able to get transport to Coconut Tree Divers every morning from there if they have guests in their west bay cabins the same week. The West End dive shops are significantly cheaper so it is worth the effort.

 

[Al Mialkovsky]

We took 28 divers to Anthonys Key this spring. 4 weren't divers, none of them were bored.

 

[hopefulist]

I think the Garifuna culture is really interesting so a trip to Punta Gorda might be good and there's some excellent hiking in the Carambola Reserve near AKR.

 

[Carribeandiver]

there is an iguana farm, zip lines through the rain forest, hang out at a very nice new coffee cafe in West Bay, get massages, hang out at some of the bars in West End, such as The Sundowner. The beaches aint much in West End and AKR is a cattle boat diving philosophy joint.
Bay Island Beach Resort has a pig roast, live band, hermit crab races and dancing on Thursday nights and all the money goes to the local schools.
if you have big bucks, you can arrange a submarine ride with Karl Stanley, his subs go down 2000 feet (he claims) but I think it costs around $800 bucks for the ride.

 

[Bay Island Diver]

The sub goes down to 2500 fact. But with guests 2000 is tha mximum he will do. The cost depends on how deep you want to go!

 

[NW_DiverDude]

I was also going to suggest a zip line adventure, or maybe the butterfly garden is more her thing. Here are a couple links to web sites that you might find useful: Pirates of the Caribbean Canopy - Roatan, Honduras and Roatan Island Tourist Guide - Roatan Island, Honduras


Hey CaribbeanDiver - any recommendations for really good, affordable massage in the West End area? I would enjoy that after each day of diving. I'll be back in Roatan on December 1st (10 days and counting) THX!


NW_DiverDude

 

[UnderwaterBumbleBee]

We went to Anthony's Key in August and I think it probably has the most to do for a non-diver. On the Key island they have a nice pool and bar where you can get snacks. They have free horseback riding along the beach, you sign up at the check in area and the horses are located on AKR grounds. You can also sign up for massages at the same desk and the Zip Line canopy tour/park. They have a little museum at the Roatan Institute for Maine Sciences about the dolphins (also on the grounds) they daily shows. You can take a water taxi a short ride from the Key island to Bailey's Key where the dolphins are housed and you can just watch them from the dock or sign up for a snorkel or dolphin encounter. They usually do a day trip to their other island which she can attend where they have another pool, lunch BBQ, gift shop, more dolphins and nice beach areas. There were at least 2 people on the trip we went on that just snorkeled a couple times and they seemed to have a good time. No TV in rooms so bring books or movies/player. Pretty good food at the main restaurant and they have another bar there also.