Roatán Travel Guide

Roatán, located between the islands of Utila and Guanaja , is the largest of Honduras' Bay Islands. The island was formerly known as Ruatan and Rattan. It is approximately 60 kilometres long, and less than 8 kilometres wide at its widest point.
The island consists of two municipalities (out of a total of four in the department): Santos Guardiola in east and Roatán (also including the Cayos Cochinos further south in the west. The most populated town of the island is Coxen Hole, capital of Roatán municipality, located in the southwest. Other important towns include French Harbour, West End, and Oak Ridge, the capital of Santos Guardiola municipality. The name Santos Guardiola derives from former President of Honduras Jose Santos Guardiola, historically known for sending Filibuster William Walker to the firing squad.
The easternmost quarter of the island is separated by a convoluted channel through the mangroves that is 15 meters wide on the average. The part cut off from the main island of Roatán this way is sometimes called Helene Island. Some satellite islands at the eastern end are Morat, Barbaretta, Pigeon, and Barefoot Cay. Barefoot Cay formerly was known as Burial Key until 2001, but now is privately owned and houses as luxury resort popular with celebrities.
Located near the largest barrier reef in the Caribbean Sea (second largest worldwide after Australia's Great Barrier Reef), it has become an important cruising and scuba diving destination in Honduras. Tourism is its most important economic sector, though fishing is also an important source of income for islanders. (...) more....

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