 Roatan : Profile
Known locally as Coxen's Hole, the port of Roatan is the main port of entry in the Bay Islands. The town has little to recommend it and security for yachts is reported to be bad, so the captain might be advised to take a taxi to the Port Captain’s Office in Coxen Hole from an anchorage in West End or from either Brick Bay or French Harbor.
If clearing in at Coxen's Hole, the Q flag and Honduran courtesy flag should be flown to attract the attention of the officials. The boat is usually boarded by the port captain accompanied by a customs officer. A crew list must be handed in as well as the clearance papers from the last port. A 30-day cruising permit is issued which can be easily renewed. A zarpe will be issued by customs and filled in by the port captain. Immigration must also be visited; visas, if necessary, will be issued. Visiting yachts are sometimes asked to employ the services of a local agent to carry out the clearance formalities, although this is not compulsory as clearance formalities are fairly straightforward. Yachts heading for the Bay Islands should try and make straight for Roatan, rather than clear at one of the mainland ports as formalities are simpler and officials are professional and used to dealing with foreign yachts.
Anchoring on the reef at the Sandy Bay West End Marine Park, within Half Moon Bay and West Bay, is prohibited. Within the marine park one must not touch the coral or remove anything from the sea including endangered species such as conch and lobster; use of spear guns and nets are prohibited. Dive buoys (white with a black RMP logo) and fishing moorings (black fishes) cannot be used by yachts. No sewage is to be released into the sea within 5 miles of any Honduran coast. Failure to observe regulations may result in a jail sentence or vessel being impounded.
West End is a small town and West Bay is the beach. The anchorage at West End/West Bay is well protected in normal tradewind conditions but badly exposed to northwest and north winds. The mooring buoys at the north end are mostly private and permission should be asked before using. Most local vessels move to the south side of the island if strong northerly winds are forecast.
Barefoot Cay Marina
Tel:011-504-455-6235 / Cell: 011-504-967-3642 , Fax:011-504-455-6304, VHF Channel 18
info@barefootcay.com
Along-side mooring for yachts up to 140 feet and 10 foot draft. Also two mooring buoys. Water, electricity, toilets and showers. Internet and cable tv connections. The marina has a deep water approach and can be reached from either French Harbour or Brick Bay.
Brick Bay Marina
Located about four miles east of Coxen Hole, with a protected anchorage (boats have weathered hurricanes here) and also secure berths.
Fantasy Island Beach Resort Marina
Box 100. French Harbor, Roatan
Tel:(504) 455-5222, Fax:(504) 455-5268, VHF Channel 18A
fantasy@bonnebeach.com
The resort is located on a private island off the south shore of Roatan island. Some docking space available. Dive centre including hyperbaric chamber. Water & electricity.
One can anchor away from the commercial port of French Harbour in West Bight, where the Roatan Dive & Yacht Club (formerly the French Harbour Yacht Club) has drinking water at its dock and is a good place to leave the yacht although space is limited. The club has had an extensive renovation, still providing services for boats, and can also help find the right professional for repairs.
Roatan Dive & Yacht Club
French Harbour
Tel:(504) 455 5233, VHF Channel 16
yachtclub@hondusoft.com
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Related ReportsWorld Cruising Handbook Corrections & Additions: Central & North America (14 Mar 2008) Spanish for Cruisers: Book Review (06 Dec 2007) Explore Central America: Book Review (01 Nov 2007) Yachts Should Respect Roatan Marine Park Regulations (14 Mar 2007) New CA-4 Visas for Central America (15 Jan 2007) Looking for a used 42' mast in the NW Caribbean (28 Nov 2006) Roatan Island Honduras: General notes for anchorages (02 Aug 2005) World Cruising Handbook Corrections January to July 2004 (18 Dec 2004) Related NewsHonduras Marina Owner Killed (19 Sep 2007) Caribbean Marine Association Formally Launched (27 Feb 2006)
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