Destination Profile: Roatan Island, Honduras Paradise Awaits: If you're looking for the perfect remote island getaway, Roatan Island, part of Honduras' Bay island system, may be the perfect destination choice if you're willing to give up a few amenities for a taste of real paradise. There are resorts and hotels and cruise lines of course, but Roatan Island is still a developing destination with plenty of tropical opportunities for active travelers. Search for pirate's treasures or simply soak up the tropics - Roatan Island awaits! Best Beaches: If you're looking for a destination that offers plenty of remote and deserted beaches, Roatan Island has plenty to offer. West Bay Beach and Sandy Beach offer hours of quite respite from the real world, where you can walk for an hour or so and often claim the beach as your very own. From digging for buried pirate treasure to building sandcastles in the sand, there's nothing to stop you from becoming one-with-the-beach at this remarkable Caribbean destination. Adventure Activities: Anytime you are surrounded by crystal clear, aqua-blue Caribbean water, there is always something for you to do. If you would like to try your hand at fishing, it doesn't get any better than off the coast of Honduras. Or opt to take a sea kayak out across the reefs that surround Roatan Island. Other modern adventure activities include parasailing, scuba diving and snorkeling, surfing, kiteboarding and sailboarding, as well as quiet sunset cruises around the island. Scuba Diver's Paradise: Yes - scuba divers flock to Roatan Island to cash in on some of the best and little known dive spots in the Western Caribbean. Roatan offers a reef system that is alive with abundant marine life, brightly-colored corals, and enough beauty and clarity of water that underwater movies have been made here. And there are plenty of PADI-qualified dive shops, boats and instructors around to offer you the best in dive instruction and guiding. In short, Caribbean diving doesn't get any better than this. Hotels/Lodging/Resorts: Visitors to Roatan Island, Honduras, will find a wide variety of hotels, resorts, vacation rentals, ranging from budget lodgings to luxury beach vacation rentals and condos. Roatan hotels, vacation rentals, beach houses, and other lodges are located on or near the beautiful western Caribbean beaches or the vegetation-covered hillsides of the Island with breathtaking ocean and sunset views. RoatanOnline offers a great guide to lodging. Dining and Cuisine: Keep in mind you are no longer in Manhattan, so the food is going to be a little different. If you enjoy Caribbean-style cuisine, then you're in the money honey! Chefs from all around the world are working hard in Roatan to provide mouth-watering and attractive dishes for the growing number of visitors turning to the island as a vacation getaway. Local dishes are mostly seafood-related, but you'll find pizza, chicken and steaks as well. Excursions/Expeditions: While Roatan is a small Caribbean Island, it's located just 30 miles off the Honduran coast. On the mainland you will find plenty of tropical excursions, including visits to the canopy of a nearby rainforest, and cultural and historical tours that take you to ancient sites of the area. There are also other island to visit, most notably Utila, and lots of attractions including a butterfly garden and a submersible water tour of the reefs around the island. Climate, Weather and Travel Considerations: A trip to Roatan Island or the Honduran mainland is a trip deep into the tropics. Be warned, the weather here is hot and balmy, and each summer season is subject to massive tropical systems that can change overnight. In 1998, Honduras was blasted by Hurricane Mitch, a terrible storm that claimed nearly 5,600 people and caused approximately $2 billion in damage. Also expect frequent, but generally mild, earthquakes and serious floods along the Caribbean coast during the rainy season. Honduras borders Guatemala, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. Dress for the tropics and take along plenty of "Deet" based insect repellant and and be aware of the health hazards involved in traveling to any tropical zone. Any time of year is a good time to visit Roatan Island, but late spring and the autumn seasons are favored to avoid the often-serious tropical storm season. In Search of the Pirate's Gold Roatan Treasure Trips