nyctitans:
I'm curious if there's anything for non-divers to do in Roatan.
I'm (hopefully) planning a trip for sometime in March, and ever since an uncomfortable moment in Curacao, I've come to the conclusion that my travel companion is assuredly NOT a diver.
Is there anything for her to do besides soak up the rays while I cavort with whale sharks?
If you can't find sufficient entertainment in Curacao, you're going to love your pal's reaction to Roatan. "A regular riot, Alice".
You didn't tell of your destination while there. Let's assume that your companion is a 'she'.
If you're going to CoCoView, she (?) is going to either learn that snorkeling is fun, but diving is better. It's a diver's place that is also a resort. You can sclepp onto the main of the island and cab it to most other island diversions.
Right across the channel is Fantasy Island. It's a resort that also happens to offer diving. Nicest beach (other than at Paya Bay Resort which has
nothing else to do other than sun and snooze) and a good active bar and some modicum of night activity. They have tennis and a pool and occasionaly operational rental jetskis and sailboats.
AKR is a very large resort and she can easily access the Dolphin Show. Other than that, other nearby resorts such as Inn of the last Resort and Bay Islands Beach Resort lie near enough to the West End that she would be able to while away some time there. Restauarants, bars and mediocre shopping for Guatemalan imports.
Also nearby is the Botanical Garden, Iguana Farm, Horseback Riding and Jungle Canopy Zip Line Tour. I'd go for the horses and the Slide for Life in terms of fun and cool.
Just near the airport is the town of Coxen Hole, give it about a half a day, or shopping at the straw market near the cruise ship dock- that could be rolled into it.
Heading East towards CCV and FIBR, you pass French Harbour- no tourist interest. The French harbour Yacht Club is a nice restaurant, and somewhere nearby is SubWay Watersports (a great day dive op) and the Shark Dive Operation (in Dixon Cove). Getting on towards Paya Bay is Marble Hill Farms, of interest to the ladies- it is an all natural kinda fruit preserves and batik studio.
Next is Oak Ridge where you can load into a water taxi and enjoy the mangroves or just drink yourself quite silly (bathrooms are optional, ladies).
Whatever you do, do not rent a car. Hire a driver. Honduran concepts of liability as applied to operators of motor vehicles will mortify you. Hire a well recommended driver that speaks English. CCV has several on call. There is basicaly but one road in Roatan, although there are arguably some "roads" that loop off of it.
With no other information other than you have given, I would put you somewhere on the West End area and hope she has amnesia over that incident in Curacao. Hell, she must've, she's going with you again, right?
Next time, consider Cayman or Cozumel. Just remember, the better the diving, the less diversionary entertainment possibilities... on any given island, or within zones on an island itself.
Interest her with gentleness in diving. Hire a lady DM to take her out snorkeling, then be sure to ask the DM to offer your compaqnion the octopus for some 8 foot deep explorations. She will be hooked and be your new best dive buddy.
