Page 123 - Central America
P. 123
Guanaja is clearly the island least visited by tourists. Many yachts- idyllic cays that surround it, are encircled by lush coral gardens that
men also choose to bypass the island in favor of the more developed stretch away from silvered sand beaches, and then plunge into the ver-
Roatan. However, Guanaja Diving Resorts are very cozy and offer tiginous depths of the Cayman Trench. This trench forms part of the
magnificent views and world class Honduras Diving with some out- tectonic boundary between the North American and the Caribbean
standing open water experiences to enhance your Honduras Travel. plates, and its deep waters account for the frequent sightings of ocean
Banking is limited on the island of Guanaja. There is only one bank, pelagics that make Guanaja a unique Bay Islands destination.
Banco Atlantida, and no ATMs. It is recommended you carry cash, The larger species that are often seen at Guanaja’s dive sites as a result
as traveler’s checks are not accepted, and cannnot be changed at the of its proximity to the trench include manta rays, whale sharks, and
bank. Almost all establishments do not accept credit cards. The only spectacular schooling hammerheads. For the best chance to see these
real city on the island is Bonacca, which is actually on a small cay a breathtaking creatures, choose deeper dive sites near the barrier wall.
half mile off the main island of Guanaja. Perhaps best described as The Joe Trader Wreck provides excellent pelagic action, but also the
the “Venice of the Caribbean”, Bonacca is home to more than 6,000 chance to see large grouper and shoals of yellowtail. Guanaja diving
people all living on fewer than 100 acres. There are no streets, and boasts several excellent wrecks, with sites like the Don Enrique ena-
certainly no cars or scooters. Even bicycles are prohibited. Everyone bling divers to experience the best of wreck and reef diving simultane-
walks along sidewalks and paths. Many of the homes and businesses ously. Reef diving in the area is world-class, as is to be expected from
are on stilts out over the water and are three stories high. Just about a string of islands located in the middle of the famous Mesoameri-
everything you might need can be found in Bonacca if you are willing can Barrier Reef. As a result of the island’s relatively unknown status,
to look or ask. The locals all speak English, so it is easy to interact. Guanaja’s reefs are perhaps the most pristine of all: there, you have
The Guanaja commercial airport was recently built, and is an excel- the luxury of observing an ocean untouched- a marine paradise left
lent opportunity to develop tourism in Guanaja. Guanaja could also precisely as it ought to be.
benefit from investments in hotels. The project cost 8 million lempi- Since it’s so close to Roatan you would think it’d be fairly easy to get
ras, and was a joint effort from the Honduran government, who spent here but maybe its inaccessibility is why it’s so relaxed and almost
3.8 million, and the Japanese government, who contributed 4.9 mil- tourist free. You can hire a private charter from Roatan or catch the
lion lempiras toward the terminal. An estimated 500 thousand people, one flight a day from La Ceiba to the island’s airstrip for about $52.
both local and foreigners, will benefit. The increase of tourism, bring- Water taxis are waiting there for you and will take you to the main
ing commercial and industrial development, motivated the naval town for a few dollars or further to your accommodation for a bit
force to construct a new base on Guanaja. More people in these areas extra. There’s now a ferry from the port of Trujillo (east of La Ceiba)
means an opportunity for positive public outreach for the military. on the mainland for $30 which takes three hours and can be a little
Guanaja Island is formed by the most easterly peak of a submerged bumpy.
mountain range known as the Bonacca Ridge. The island, and the
