Roatan : Profile

Location

The Island is located in the Caribbean, 30 miles off the coast of mainland Honduras.

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.

Clearance

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.

Docking

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.

Anchoring on the reef at Sandy Bay, West End Marine Park, within Half Moon Bay and West Bay, is prohibited. National Park mooring buoys are provided here, but it is wise to check them before use as they are not always in good condition.

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.

Lastudated October 2009.

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 165 feet and 10 foot draft. Purified water, electricity, internet, toilets and showers. Use of resort amenities including pool, beach, fitness room, kayaks. Dining service, dive shop and spa on site. Fueling direct to boat, assistance with customs clearing. 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.

Parrot Tree Plantation
Southern Coast of Roatan
VHF Channel 16/63 and NW Caribbean Net 6209, USB 8AM Local
dockmaster@parrottree.com
New full service marina, currently (2008) offering 20 slips and expanding by summer 2009 to 127 slips accommodating between 40-200 ft vessels. Controlling depth 10 feet, clearly marked entrance with lighted markers (Lights -1 NM visibility).

Yacht Clubs

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

Related Reports

New Import Fees In Roatan, Honduras (04 Jan 2010)

Bay Islands, Honduras (22 Oct 2009)

Utila Clearance - Beware (14 Aug 2009)

Nice stop at Swan Island, Honduras (14 May 2009)

Spanish for Cruisers - 2nd Edition (30 Nov 2008)

Central America Cruising Guides  (01 Nov 2008)

Caribbean: Reported Crime Incidents Against Yachts, 2005-2008 (26 Aug 2008)

Spanish for Cruisers: Book Review (06 Dec 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)

Related News

Honduras Marina Owner Killed (19 Sep 2007)

Caribbean Marine Association Formally Launched (27 Feb 2006)