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The island’s warm, clear waters support an extensive coral reef that is GUANAJA QUICK FACTS
part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef and second only to the Great • Pronunciation - gwa-na’-’ha
Barrier Reef off the coasts of Australia. Currently, there is still access • Location - about 18 miles east of Roatan and 30 miles north
to fresh water on Guanaja, and several waterfalls can be seen. Gua- of the mainland of Honduras.
naja was discovered by Christopher Columbus on his fourth voyage • Size - about 3x11 miles
in 1502. Notably, this was the first time he came across cacao, which • Population - about 10,000 total of which the majority lives
is the core of chocolate. He landed on Soldado Beach on the north on Bonacca
side of the island. In later years Cayman Islanders settled in the Bay • Climate - Year-round temperatures hover around 80 with
Islands, which explains the diffusion of Spanish and English language. the rainy season starting in October and usually lasting until Decem-
Homer Hickam, author of Rocket Boys/October Sky, was one of the ber or January
first scuba explorers of Guanaja, first visiting in 1973. Along with a
team of other scuba explorers, he extensively mapped the reef sys-
tem around the island for sport divers. He still owns property on the
northeast end of the island.
This archipelago consists of several small islands located 20 miles off • Where to find the locals - 3 villages called Bonacca, Man-
the north coast of the country in the Caribbean Sea. They offer op- grove Bight, and Savannah Bight
portunities to dive that are competitive with some of the best sites in • Vegetation - A little of everything - Lush, mountainous, rug-
the world. Three great islands to consider for diving in Honduras are ged, and more dry
Roatan, Utila, and Guanaja. Each Honduras Island offers a very differ- • Highest Peak - one peak rises to almost 1,400 feet
ent experience and each has its own unique characteristics
• Activities - diving (45 dive sites of Guanaja), snorkeling,
deep sea and flats fishing, hiking, waterfall trekking, relaxing on any
of the beautiful beaches
