Roatan, Honduras — More than Just a Cruise Stop
Roatan’s above- and under-water adventures have left an indelible mark on my travel memoirs. Decades ago, Anthony’s Cay, a little scuba diving oasis outside of the rustic West End village was 1/2 of our amazing honeymoon (the first half was Costa Rica!). It is also where my mom now spends three months every winter to rack up a ton of scuba diving. So, this laid back Caribbean island is where I took my son for a spring break in March of 2020 and you can can imagine how that went! Needless to say, we were the last plane in before they closed all ports and everything else shut down within a couple of days. A week later, American Airlines flew in some empty planes for those eager to return home. As my mom continues her annual pilgrimage to Roatan, I have been able to return for a more normal experience and to uncover more of this tropical island.
Where to stay
West Bay or West End?
Contrary to what is sounds like, West Bay is at the western end of the island and West End is a hamlet about three miles down the island. West Bay will be your choice if you want a beautiful beach and some amenities. I actually preferred staying in West End as it felt a little more local and laid back. I also really enjoyed exploring the West End area and walking the beach all of the way to West Bay. You can also take a water taxi.
