Roatan Island, Honduras
Roatán, located between the islands of Útila and Guanaja, is the largest of Honduras' Bay Islands.
The island was formerly known as Ruatan and Rattan. It is approximately 60 kilometres (37 mi) long, and less than 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) across at its widest point. The island consists of two municipalities (out of a total of four in the department):
The easternmost quarter of the island is separated by a channel through the mangroves that is 15 meters wide on average. This section is called Helene, or Santa Elena in Spanish. Satellite islands at the eastern end are Morat, Barbareta, and Pigeon Cay. Further west between French Harbour and Coxen Hole is Stamp Cay and Barefoot Cay.
Located near the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the largest barrier reef in the Caribbean Sea (second largest worldwide after Australia'sGreat Barrier Reef), Roatán has become an important cruise ship and scuba diving destination in Honduras. Tourism is its most important economic sector, though fishing is also an important source of income for islanders. Roatan is located within 50 minutes of La Ceiba. The island is served by the Juan Manuel Gálvez Roatán International Airport which includes direct flights from Miami, Atlanta, and Houston via American, Delta, United and TACA airlines respectively, with other domestic connections for international flights arriving into mainland Honduran cities like the capital Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula and San Salvador(El Salvador). Starting in November, 2012, American Airlines will offer non-stop service to Roatan.[1]
Roatán is also serviced by the Galaxy Wave express Catamaran ferry.
Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, 2nd largest barrier reef in the world
The island was formerly known as Ruatan and Rattan. It is approximately 60 kilometres (37 mi) long, and less than 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) across at its widest point. The island consists of two municipalities (out of a total of four in the department):
- José Santos Guardiola in the east (named for the former president of Honduras) and
- Roatán (also including the Cayos Cochinos) further south in the west.
The easternmost quarter of the island is separated by a channel through the mangroves that is 15 meters wide on average. This section is called Helene, or Santa Elena in Spanish. Satellite islands at the eastern end are Morat, Barbareta, and Pigeon Cay. Further west between French Harbour and Coxen Hole is Stamp Cay and Barefoot Cay.
Located near the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the largest barrier reef in the Caribbean Sea (second largest worldwide after Australia'sGreat Barrier Reef), Roatán has become an important cruise ship and scuba diving destination in Honduras. Tourism is its most important economic sector, though fishing is also an important source of income for islanders. Roatan is located within 50 minutes of La Ceiba. The island is served by the Juan Manuel Gálvez Roatán International Airport which includes direct flights from Miami, Atlanta, and Houston via American, Delta, United and TACA airlines respectively, with other domestic connections for international flights arriving into mainland Honduran cities like the capital Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula and San Salvador(El Salvador). Starting in November, 2012, American Airlines will offer non-stop service to Roatan.[1]
Roatán is also serviced by the Galaxy Wave express Catamaran ferry.
Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, 2nd largest barrier reef in the world