Dive in Guanaja Island

Diving in Guanaja Island

The diving and snorkelling around the island is superb and you’ll probably be the only one on the dive site. Visibility can reach almost 60 metres (196 feet) and you’ll find some of the best dives on the Bay Islands right here. Dive shops (or sometimes just the guide) are attached to resorts, but will take out day divers without any problems. 

There are about 38 dive sites, from a maze of cave and tunnels at Black Rock Canyon to the spectacular wall of Vertigo with its black and white sea lilies. Wrecks include the 60 metre (196 foot) freighter the Jado Freighter, great for advanced divers and the Don Enrique Wreck where you’ll spot an eagle ray or two. Hammerhead sharks have been spotted in the area so keep your eyes out! Sharks, rays, eels, groupers, big schools of fish and lovely coloured corals can be enjoyed at these sites.

If you’re going to snorkel it’s best to bring your own gear as hiring it might not be as easy as you think. Michael’s Rock and the Dina Beach area are great spots, head to Graham’s place to spot bone fish, barracuda and the spiny lobster.  

It’s a gorgeous place to be, we hope you enjoy your island paradise and the treasures it has to offer.  

(By Kelly Luckman)

Travel to Guanaja Island

The most eastern of the Bay Islands, just 29km’s (18 miles) from Roatan, Guanaja is an amazing little hideaway that is fairly undiscovered.  Dubbed the Isla de Pinos (Island of Pines) by Christopher Colombus when he stopped here on his final voyage to the Americas, the pines were wiped out by Hurricane Mitch in 1998 but were replanted and are back in abundance.  There is one main island and 15 smaller cays surrounded by coral reef.

Since it’s so close to Roatan you would think it’d be fairly easy to get here but maybe its inaccessibility is why it’s so relaxed and almost tourist free.  You can hire a private charter from Roatan or catch the one flight a day from La Ceiba to the island’s airstrip for about $52.  Water taxis are waiting there for you and will take you to the main town for a few dollars or further to your accommodation for a bit extra.  There’s now a ferry from the port of Trujillo (east of La Ceiba) on the mainland for $30 which takes three hours and can be a little bumpy.

Accommodation is a little more expensive than in the other islands but you can find budget if you look around.  Mangrove Bight or Savanna Bight is your best bet, or you can camp on one of the northern beaches.  You can find a room in a resort for about $100 a night or your own private island for $6000 a night!  Know where you’re staying before you go, there are some great recommendations online.

This is the perfect place to relax and take it easy.  Other than that there are a few other things to do.  Take a hike to the waterfall, do some fishing on the flats or explore the local towns. The main town is Bonacca and you can find a store, bank, pharmacy or doctor here. Northeast, Mangrove and Savanna Bights are other small villages; also The Mitch is worth a visit. Please be aware of the sand flies on the island, as they are a bit annoying, be sure to take repellent with deet in it but to wash it off before you go in the ocean as it can damage the coral.

(By Kelly Luckman)