Roatan Info
Roatán is an island in the Caribbean about 65 kilometers (40 mi) off the northern coast of Honduras. It is located between the islands of Utila and Guanaja and is the largest of the Bay Islands of Honduras.
The island was formerly known as Ruatan and Rattan. It is approximately 77 kilometers (48 mi) long and less than 8 kilometers (5.0 mi) across at its widest point. The island consists of two municipalities: José Santos Guardiola in the east and Roatán, including the Cayos Cochinos, further south in the west.
The island rests on an exposed ancient coral reef, rising to about 270 meters (890 ft) above sea level. Offshore reefs offer opportunities for diving. Most habitation is in the western half of the island.
| Location | Caribbean Sea |
| Coordinates | 16°23′N 86°24′W |
| Archipelago | Bay Islands |
| Total islands | 7 |
| Major islands | Roatán, Útila and Guanaja |
| Area | 83 km2 (32 sq mi) |
| Length | 59 km (36.7 mi) |
| Width | 8 km (5 mi) |
| Coastline | 154 km (95.7 mi) |
| Highest point | 1011 feet |
| Administration | Honduras |
| Department | Bay Islands |
| Municipality | Islas de la Bahia |
| Largest settlement | Coxen Hole (pop. 10,500) |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 44,657 (2015) |
| Pop. density | 538 /km2 (1,393 /sq mi) |
| Ethnic groups | Native Islanders, Garifuna, Expatriates |
Weather & Trade Winds
The climate in Roatan is strongly influenced by trade winds coming from the east and by cold fronts during the winter months in the northern hemisphere. Also, tropical weather waves cross directly over the island of Roatan, mainly between May and October. In recent years, the average annual precipitation has been 1343.68 mm (min: 396.40 mm, max: 2117.80 mm), with an average temperature of 28.14 ° C (min: 20.86 ° C, max: 32.70 ° C). Main months for precipitation are October, November and December, respectively; while the driest months are April and May, respectively. The highest temperatures occur in September, August and June, while the lowest temperatures occur in January, December and February.
The climate in Roatan is strongly influenced by trade winds coming from the east and by cold fronts during the winter months in the northern hemisphere. Also, tropical weather waves cross directly over the island of Roatan, mainly between May and October. In recent years, the average annual precipitation has been 1343.68 mm (min: 396.40 mm, max: 2117.80 mm), with an average temperature of 28.14 ° C (min: 20.86 ° C, max: 32.70 ° C). Main months for precipitation are October, November and December, respectively; while the driest months are April and May, respectively. The highest temperatures occur in September, August and June, while the lowest temperatures occur in January, December and February.
Airline CompaniesThe island of Roatán airport has a terminal that is served with nonstop flights to Roatán from Houston operated by United Airlines, from Atlanta operated by Delta Airlines, from Miami and Dallas operated by American Airline, from Grand Cayman operated by Cayman Airways, from Belize City operated by Aereocaribe and from San Salvador operated by Avianca. The island also receives nonstop flights to Roatán from Montreal and Toronto operated by Air Transat.
National direct flights from La Ceiba, San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa are operated by Sosa, Lanhsa and CM Airlines.
Roatán Marine Park
The Roatán Marine Park (RMP) is a grassroots, community-based, non-profit organization located on Roatán. The organization was formed in January 2005 when a group of concerned dive operators and local businesses united in an effort to protect Roatán's fragile coral reefs. Initially, the RMP's goal was to run a patrol program within the Sandy Bay-West End Marine Reserve (SBWEMR), to prevent over exploitation through unsustainable fishing practices. Over time, the organisation expanded the scope of their environmental efforts through the addition of other programs to protect Roatán's natural resources, including patrols and infrastructure, education, conservation and public awareness.
National direct flights from La Ceiba, San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa are operated by Sosa, Lanhsa and CM Airlines.
Roatán Marine Park
The Roatán Marine Park (RMP) is a grassroots, community-based, non-profit organization located on Roatán. The organization was formed in January 2005 when a group of concerned dive operators and local businesses united in an effort to protect Roatán's fragile coral reefs. Initially, the RMP's goal was to run a patrol program within the Sandy Bay-West End Marine Reserve (SBWEMR), to prevent over exploitation through unsustainable fishing practices. Over time, the organisation expanded the scope of their environmental efforts through the addition of other programs to protect Roatán's natural resources, including patrols and infrastructure, education, conservation and public awareness.
History of the Department of Bay Islands
The paradisiacal Bay Islands were the first Honduran territory discovered by Christopher Columbus, Italian sailor who disembarked with his crew on the Island of Guanaja on June 30, 1502, on his fourth and final voyage.
At the time of the conquest, the Islands of La Bahia were inhabited by indigenous people of the Pech ethnic group, who were captured to enslave them or sell them to other islands of the Antilles. Since its discovery, the islands were dominated by Spanish, English and Dutch conquerstors.
In 1797 the Bay Islands were invaded by around 5,000 Garifunas or Black Caribs who had been expelled from the Island of San Vicente by the English. In the early of 1800 c. here also took refuge some English families who left the island of Grand Cayman when the cotton crop was exhausted.
The English domain maintained in the islands for almost 2 centuries came to an end on November 28, 1859. England returned to the Government of Honduras control of the Bay Island.
The paradisiacal Bay Islands were the first Honduran territory discovered by Christopher Columbus, Italian sailor who disembarked with his crew on the Island of Guanaja on June 30, 1502, on his fourth and final voyage.
At the time of the conquest, the Islands of La Bahia were inhabited by indigenous people of the Pech ethnic group, who were captured to enslave them or sell them to other islands of the Antilles. Since its discovery, the islands were dominated by Spanish, English and Dutch conquerstors.
In 1797 the Bay Islands were invaded by around 5,000 Garifunas or Black Caribs who had been expelled from the Island of San Vicente by the English. In the early of 1800 c. here also took refuge some English families who left the island of Grand Cayman when the cotton crop was exhausted.
The English domain maintained in the islands for almost 2 centuries came to an end on November 28, 1859. England returned to the Government of Honduras control of the Bay Island.
