|
Specialties: Big Animals (Whale Sharks), Live-aboard
diving, and Wreck Diving.
The Bay
Islands of Honduras (Islas de la Bahia) are from 10 to 35 miles
off the coast of the Honduran mainland in Central America. If
you are looking for great diving, relaxing afternoons in a
hammock enjoying the warm trade winds blowing through the palm
trees, and sipping a tropical drink or refreshing lemonade, the
Bay Islands may be just what you’re looking for. There are
three major islands and several smaller islands and cayes
(pronounced keys).
•
Guanaja (Isla de Guanaja) is a small island without roads
but does have a dive resort. Shipwrecks and labyrinths of lava
rock characterize Guanaja diving. Only 11 miles long, this
island offers more than 50 moored dive sizes, including a 6000
foot wall.
•
Roatan the
largest and most populated island is about 40 miles long with a
central ridge running along its length. It is covered in lush
vegetation and has plenty of freshwater runoff from the hills.
Roatan is encircled by an enormous barrier reef that is also
shared by Cozumel and Belize. Great diving is just off the
shore. Roatan also offers several god wreck dives as well as an
opportunity to snorkel with dolphins.
•
Utila is a small island with pristine underwater
conditions due to the remoteness. It is 7 miles long with
shops, restaurants, and friendly people. Off the island, there
are vertical walls and a greater abundance of fish than the more
developed islands. Utila often has whale shark sightings and
frequent dolphin encounters. If you are looking for a place to
get away form it all and enjoy a touch of rusticity, this is the
perfect diver’s hideaway. (The large photos on our home page
were both taken in Utila.)
Best
Diving Months: February to June.
Water
Temperature: Water temperatures range from 78°F to 80°F
Underwater
Visibility: Averages around 75 to 150 feet. Reduced
visibility during the rainy season, October through January.
Airport
Info: San Pedro Sula, Honduras with connections to Guanaja,
Roatan or Utila. Some airlines fly directly into Roatan.
Documents
and Customs Regulations: A passport and return ticket are
required. U.S. and Canadian citizens do not need a visa.
Language:
English and Spanish.
Health:
Bring a good insect repellant and clothing to cover arms and
legs. Although not a huge problem, cases of malaria do occur
here, especially during the rainy season from October through
January. Typhoid and hepatitis A should also be considered.
Contact the Center for Disease Control for updated warnings.
Climate:
Generally sunny with air temperatures in the 80°F and the
humidity around 80 percent. Cooling trade winds blow most of
the year. October through January is the rainy season.
Hurricane season is June through September. The Bay Islands are
in the tropics which mean sand fleas and mosquitoes. Bring
insect repellent and lightweight clothing to cover up in the
evening.
Government:
Honduras has a democratic form of government.
Electrical
Current: 110 volts, 60 cycles AC and compatible with
American appliances.
Current Weather:
Get current weather from Weather.com
Currency:
The Honduran Lempira (HNL). Get
current exchange rate from XE.com
Current Time: The
Bay Islands are in the Central Time Zone (GMT -6)
Get
current time from WorldTimeServer.com
|
