Beachfront Resort with World-Class Diving Center

Just off the Honduran island of Roatán lies the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second-largest coral reef in the world. Spectacular biodiversity can be found at this site, ranging from colorful tropical fish to giant sponges and swaying sea fans. Coastal Living named the waters off Roatán among 9 Coastal Wonders To See Now, and few places better prepare visitors for exploring the area than Roatán’s Bananarama Dive Resort. Located just a few feet from the reef on West Bay Beach, Bananarama's dive center is one of the island’s best. The center is known for its variety of certification courses and unforgettable excursions, including night dives and shark dives (additional fees required).

Beachside rooms are scattered among coconut palms and sea-grape trees just a few steps from the beach. Interiors channel the Caribbean with bright colors, local artwork, and hand-carved wooden doors. The rooms sleep up to six guests, making them ideal for families (fees apply for guests above standard occupancy).

All stays include complimentary breakfast at the Thirsty Turtle Beach Front Bar and Grill, which also serves seafood specialties for alfresco lunch and dinner dining. For a more intimate atmosphere, head to the Vintage Pearl Restaurant and Wine Cellar, where you can pair Caribbean cuisine with an impressive selection of international wines.

This Getaway includes a standup-paddleboarding lesson for two and daily snorkeling-gear rentals, which make it easy to explore the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea. Drop by the Roatan Activities Center on the beach right in front of Bananarama to set up additional excursions, including fishing trips, dolphin swims, and zipline tours.

Roatán, Honduras: Diver's Paradise with Dense Jungle Interior

Though Roatán—the largest of Honduras's Bay Islands—used to be plagued by pirates looting the gold of Spanish galleons, most of the popular shipwrecks were purposefully sunk for divers. But that doesn't make the many dive sites surrounding the island any less appealing. Walls of coral and more than 800 species of fish have turned them into natural wonders. Starfish, sea turtles, and eels are common sights during scuba-diving and snorkeling trips. The crystal-clear waters contain a wealth of Mayan, Paya, and Garifuna artifacts as well.

Farther inland, dense jungles and grassy hills stretch across the surface of the island. From the secluded bays of Roatán's East End, you can get a change of scenery by taking winding dirt roads to smaller villages. The towns of Coxen Hole and French Harbour in particular provide a taste of local culture in the form of street vendors, an iguana farm, and shrimp fishers working the docks.

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