5 Great Things to Do on the Caribbean island of Roatan
A recent article in the Wall Street Journal on behalf of Roatan Caribbeana s â ™ € Following œitâ € â € place € "an undeveloped island that is about to become a major tourist destination.
In These days there is a definite buzz on this peaceful island only 30 miles off the coast of Honduras. No wonder: Roatan features lush tropical forests, warm turquoise waters, white sandy beaches and sugar without the crowds.
Continental Airlines now flies directly to the islands from Newark, New Jersey and Houston, Texas. Delta flies directly from Atlanta, Georgia. Major cruise lines are stopping in more frequently, and both Carnival and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines is expanding ship terminals to carry more passengers. Celebrities like Michael Douglas and Richard Gere has been seen on the island in recent months.
Roatan has been famous among scuba diving enthusiasts. The island is about the World ™ € s second largest barrier reef system and some characteristics of the best diving in the Western Hemisphere. Diving is still the main attraction drawing visitors to the island.
However, Roatan offers much rather than diving and makes a great destination for family vacations.
Whether visiting with family, making a stopover on a cruise, or take a break from diving, here Roatan are five adventures can be enjoyed.
1) Postal Through the Rain Forest. Roatan features lush tropical forests, where parrots and wild monkeys roam freely. The canopy tour is a good way to get close to nature, while stimulating fun. Visitors can climb a tree platform higher, and then move through the trees on zip lines by sliding or walking over swinging bridges. Itâ € ™ s an exciting ride.
Roatan has several canopy tours from which to choose. Palmetto Bay has a platform 20 Tour includes a climbing wall and swing bridges. West Bay also has a platform 16 tour including two bridges. Please note that canopy tours that children require at least four feet high.
2) Swim with dolphins. The Institute of Marine Sciences in Roatan ™ € islanda s North Shore program features a meeting of several dolphins that are open to the public.
One of the most popular excursions on the island is its swimming with dolphins. Guests are taken to Baileya € ™ s Key, an island of white sand frequented by schools of dolphins. During an initial 20-minute beach encounter, trainers coax the dolphins to join their group, giving you the opportunity to pet them.
Guests can dive and swim freely with the dolphins in 20 feet of water. Guests are accompanied by a behavior specialist and videographer dolphins and a photographer to capture the memories. Swim with the dolphins requires children to be at least 13 years of age.
Divers can also choose the instituteâ ™ € s Dolphins diving, which allows you to interact with dolphins in a reef wall at 60 feet of water. This dive lasts approximately 45 minutes. Participants Diving at Dolphin must be certified divers.
It is not enough for you? The institute also offers a trainer for a day program, which gives the opportunity to go behind the scenes and work with staff, and to feed and care for the dolphins. Participants will learn of dolphin training techniques during a session practice with the dolphins.
3) See Reef while staying dry. Even if you are not a diver, you can take a look at Roatanâ € ™ s magnificent coral formations with a ride on the Coral Reef Explorer. This glass bottom boat seats 25 people below the water line on air conditioning. Passengers look through the windows of several colors of coral, tropical fish and spotted eagle elegant.
The Coral Reef Explorer departs daily from West Bay Beach and you can expect a visit lasting approximately 50 minutes.
4) Horseback riding. What could be more romantic than a ride along Roatanâ € ™ s white beaches? Guided horseback tours begin in West End, passing by some of Roatanâ € ™ s best scenery before ending in the western bay, where you can take a dip.
Tours last approximately 90 minutes and are suitable for beginners and riders experienced.
5) Pet iguana. Perhaps the most unusual attraction in Roatan is Sherman Archa € ™ s Iguana Farm. This private reserve treasure is real and a real treat for children.
More than 2,700 of the large, spiny lizards roam freely on its premises, located just east of French port. Iguanas are tame, after reared in cages until old enough to fend for themselves. Come in the afternoon feeding for the best chance to hold and pet iguana.
More to see and do
href = "http://www.tropicalrez.com"> TropicalRez, an agency of Roatan reservation centers, can help you book hotels in Roatan and excursions.
The Honduran Ministry of the website of Tourism account with a good overview of Roatan and the other Bay Islands Honduras.
About the Author
John Anton is a freelance writer specializing in the travel industry.