Destination Guanaja
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Guanaja
Arguably the nicest of the three Bay Islands of Honduras, it is located about 70 km (43 mi) off the north coast of Honduras, and 12 km (7.5 mi) from the island of Roatan.
Guanaja is arguably the nicest of the three Bay Islands of Honduras, it is located about 70 kilometres (43 mi)
off the north coast of Honduras, and 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) from the island of Roatan. One of the cays off
Guanaja, also called Guanaja or Bonacca or Low Cay (or just simply, The Cay), is near the main island, and
contains most of the population. The densely populated cay has been described as the Venice of Honduras
because of the waterways that run through it. One of the most interesting things about this cay is that no
vehicles are permitted, not even bicycles. The only means of “transportation” you can find are wheelchairs
for the elderly or handicap and carts which are pushed to carry goods around, everything else is done by foot.
The other two main settlements on Guanaja are Mangrove Bight and Savannah Bight. Smaller settlements
includes Pelican Reef, East End and North East Bight.
The primary source of income for the islanders is fishing and shrimping. Tourism has been increasing throughout the years, there are about a dozen small but beautiful resorts that cater to divers, snorkelers, beach lovers and adventure travellers. Rental houses have become an option for vacationers too. The island's warm, clear waters support an extensive coral reef that is part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. Currently, there is still access to fresh water on Guanaja, and several waterfalls can be seen. Since 2021 the entire island and its cays have been designated as a protected Ramsar site.
A LITTLE ON HISTORY…
Christopher Columbus landed on Guanaja on his fourth voyage in 1502. Notably, this was the first time he came across cacao, which is the core of chocolate. He landed on Soldado Beach on the north side of the island. In later years Cayman Islanders settled in the Bay Islands, which explains the diffusion of Spanish and English language.
Homer Hickam, author of Rocket Boys/October Sky, was one of the first scuba explorers of Guanaja, first visiting in 1973. Along with a team of other scuba explorers, he extensively mapped the reef system around the island for sport divers. He still owns property on the northeast end of the island.
In late October 1998, most of the buildings and homes on the island were destroyed by Hurricane Mitch. The islanders have since rebuilt, and although there are still repercussions to the economy from Mitch, tourism has been recovering. The majority of the mangrove and pine forests, which were destroyed as a direct consequence of the passage of the hurricane sweeping across the island for two days, are slowly making a comeback. In the beginning of October of 2021, a fire burned down about 40% of the houses in Bonacca Cay, at this point reconstruction has started…
The primary source of income for the islanders is fishing and shrimping. Tourism has been increasing throughout the years, there are about a dozen small but beautiful resorts that cater to divers, snorkelers, beach lovers and adventure travellers. Rental houses have become an option for vacationers too. The island's warm, clear waters support an extensive coral reef that is part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. Currently, there is still access to fresh water on Guanaja, and several waterfalls can be seen. Since 2021 the entire island and its cays have been designated as a protected Ramsar site.
A LITTLE ON HISTORY…
Christopher Columbus landed on Guanaja on his fourth voyage in 1502. Notably, this was the first time he came across cacao, which is the core of chocolate. He landed on Soldado Beach on the north side of the island. In later years Cayman Islanders settled in the Bay Islands, which explains the diffusion of Spanish and English language.
Homer Hickam, author of Rocket Boys/October Sky, was one of the first scuba explorers of Guanaja, first visiting in 1973. Along with a team of other scuba explorers, he extensively mapped the reef system around the island for sport divers. He still owns property on the northeast end of the island.
In late October 1998, most of the buildings and homes on the island were destroyed by Hurricane Mitch. The islanders have since rebuilt, and although there are still repercussions to the economy from Mitch, tourism has been recovering. The majority of the mangrove and pine forests, which were destroyed as a direct consequence of the passage of the hurricane sweeping across the island for two days, are slowly making a comeback. In the beginning of October of 2021, a fire burned down about 40% of the houses in Bonacca Cay, at this point reconstruction has started…
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