Gap Year Honduras / Roatan
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Roatan, Honduras
Country Facts
Country: Honduras
Trips: Learn to dive, marine conservation and Divemaster
Durations: 3 / 6 / 10 weeks
Diving Conditions: Variable
Visibility: 15m to 30m +
Ideal for: Learning to dive, Divemaster and marine conservation in remote location
- Honduras Programmes
- Destination Guide
- Country Fact File
Programmes in Honduras
This is a GYD exclusive programme! Based on Roatan Island (the largest of the Bay Islands), the programme focuses on diver training through a range of PADI courses (from beginner to Divemaster) whilst assisting with educational projects, water sampling, beach clean-ups, patrols and the maintenance of mooring buoys for the Roatan Marine Park. The programme incorporates all the main PADI courses, unlimited diving, accommodation, transfers, wreck diving, some work experience (DM only) and all PADI fees / materials.
Guide
Location
Honduras is strategically located in the heart of Central America, surrounded by high tropical mountains. The mountainous topography contributes to the diversity of climates. Its northern border is the Caribbean Sea, offering long stretches of beautiful beach, warm weather and friendly people. Just off the coast, the Bay Islands are surrounded by the world’s second largest coral reef.
Roatan is one of the Bay Islands and it is here that you do the diving. Located between the islands of Utila and Guanaja, Roatan is the largest of Honduras' Bay Islands.
Dive Centre
The dive centre is located adjacent to the coast. It's easy to get in and out of the water for training dives and the jetty for the boat is a short walk. The centre is known for its relaxed atmosphere ,excellent instructors, first class boats, spotless safety record and well maintained equipment. The owner is also the President of the Roatan Marine Park and very dedicated to preserving the environment.
Diving in the area
Rotana boasts an underwater mountain range and the second largest barrier reef in the world. At 40 miles long, three miles wide and surrounded by coral reefs on all sides, Roatan is one of the premier deep diving destinations on the planet and it has over 132 dive sites!
Social Scene
Around the West End of Roatan you will find yourself amidst the heart and soul of the social scene on Roatan. It is here that you will find nearly all the bars, restaurants and night life the island has to offer.
Accommodation
The accommodation is on-site adjacent to the dive centre. The rooms are either part of the main house or garden cabins. You get your own room but bathroom and kitchen facilities are shared. It's a 5min walk to Half Moon Bay beach and the dive centre is in your back garden...
Things to do
When you're not diving there are loads of thigs to do on the island; form chilling out on the beach to zip-line trips in the trees! Check out this link for more info about what you can do...
Good reasons to go here...
1. Plenty of wrecks and marine life - a wide range of diving locations
2. Opportunity to dive with sharks
3. Work with the Honduras Marine Parks
4. Roatan island location in Caribbean - great weather, great diving, great visibility!
5. Opportunity for adventure and cultural tours at weekends - Mayan ruins etc
6. Beachside location with unlimited diving
Contry Factfile
General Facts
Official Name: Republic of Honduras
Location: Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Nicaragua and bordering the Gulf of Fonseca (North Pacific Ocean), between El Salvador and Nicaragua
Population: c.8,000,000
Languages: Spanish, Amerindian dialects
Religion: Roman Catholic 97%, Protestant 3%
Capital: Tegucigalpa
FCO Travel Advice Link: Honduras Information
Weather / Climate
Warm or hot throughout the year. Winter months are November to April and summer months are from May to October. Temperatures range from low 20's in winter to around 40 degrees at the height of summer.
Visas / Entry Requirements
British nationals can obtain a 30-day visit (tourist) visa on arrival. These may be extended by 30 days on two further occasions (to a maximum of 90 days in total) if you apply to an Immigration Office. There is no fee payable for this initial arrival visa, nor for the two extensions to this visa.
British nationals can also obtain a 30-day work visa in advance at a Honduran Embassy or upon arrival if they are conducting short term internship or voluntary work. This also may then be extended by 30 days on two further occasion by applying to an Immigration Office. Each extension, up to the maximum of 90 days in total, will cost US$20.
Should you overstay your visa then you shoud expect to pay a fine either upon departure from the country or at the Immigration Office when you apply to extend you stay.
Vaccinations
Please visit www.netdoctor.co.uk for more information or consult with your local GP for professional advice.
Flight routes
There are no direct flights from the UK to Honduras, but connecting flights to Tegucigapla, and a small number of other cities in Honduras, are available via Mexico or the USA. We actually recommend flying to Miami and taking a Taca Airlines flight direct to Roatan.
