Private Paradise on the Bay Islands

All Equipment Included

Meals Cooked by our Local Staff

Great trip for Beginners or Intermediate

Learn New Skills

Local Cultural Immersion

TOTAL: 7 Days / 6 Nights

Arrival/Departure City:
Roatan Island, Honduras

Group Size: 4 – 10 people

Dates/Cost:

March 14 - 21, 2009

COST: $1995 per person
(Double Occupancy)

Click here to reserve your spot with a $250 deposit.

MEALS: All meals are included in the price and will be set up by your flight arrival & departure schedule.

STYLE OF TRIP: Professionally guided & self guided exploration, on an island off the coast of Honduras. Lodging in simple but comfortable beach style huts, with all meals provided.

This is NOT a camping trip.

AGE GROUP: This trip is designed for ages 21+, but we can customize a family program upon request.

FITNESS & SKILL RATING:
BEGINNER TO INTERMEDIATE
Kayakers of all abilities will enjoy this ocean adventure. You’re welcome even if you’ve never kayaked before. Our Kayak School Director, Peter Casson will be there to help each person further their skill level.

INCLUDED WITH TRIP:

Lodging is included (Double occupancy)

All meals from the time of arrival/departure

All equipment needed for snorkeling to Kayaking

Guided by Peter Casson, professional instructor

Meals prepared by local people

Local cultural immersion

Time to relax and explore on your own

Island transportation

NOT INCLUDED:

International flight to honduras

Airport shuttles

Personal clothing

Alcoholic beverages

Gratuities

Medical, cCancellation or evacuation insurance

Airport departure taxes

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For more information, or to book your very own Eastern Mountain Sports adventure, call our travel guru Becky Harrison at
888-755-8735
or e-mail us at becky@emstrek.com.

 

Tropical FAQs

Kayaking: Experience in helpful, but not mandatory. You can develop your skills with our ACA certified open water instructors throughout the week as you learn to handle a sea kayak in wind and waves. Being on a tropical island in the trade winds does present some great opportunities for gentle paddling as well as rough water paddling without the dangers of cold water. You can also learn how to snorkel right out of your kayak on a fantastic living coral reef!

Skill level and pacing: We make every attempt to group people into particular weeks by skill level, so you are most likely to be balanced with a group with similar skills. Sometimes we may make two short trips in a day to give people options, some days we may be paddling for four or five hours. By utilizing two guides, singles and tandems and having a flexible schedule we can accommodate a variety of skill levels and paces. Want to read by the water one day? No problem. Spend the morning snorkeling? Me too! Go diving? Bring your card and we'll set it up with some of the best instructors in the Bay Islands. Go out and work on surf skills on a day when the wind is up? Count me in, its all possible.

Location: The Bay Islands of Honduras are just 90 miles south of Belize on the second largest barrier reef in the world. Many of the natural features that people visit Belize to see are actually much more abundant in Honduras without some of the negative aspects of tourism.

Getting There: Flying directly to Roatan has never been easier. Continental, Delta and Taca all serve Roatan with DIRECT flights every Saturday from Houston, Miami and Atlanta. The direct flight takes less than 3 hours. It also looks as if there be a new Saturday direct flight coming in from Newark, NJ on Continental.

For those extending their stays (flying on other days than Saturday) or doing one of our trips that originates on the mainland, Taca, American and Continental airlines provide daily service to San Pedro Sula from Houston and Miami. Costs vary a lot depending on fuel prices, but you should be able to fly round trip from most cities in the US for about $800 total round trip cost. If you are lucky enough to live near one of the gate cities, that figure is more like $550.

Other Costs: Airport Exit tax is about $30 (cash) when you leave and there may be a small baggage security fee. Gratuities for your host and local guides that are with you all week are a good investment. We'll suggest appropriate amounts. Tips for restaurant meals, local taxis and the like is included in your trip fee. We like to take good care of the people that take good care of you. 90% of your trip fees go to support local people and you do have a very positive impact on their community.

Scuba: Roatan is known the world over for it's diving and for those coming early or staying late, we can recommend good dive companies. Getting Open water dive certified with excellent instructors on Roatan is about $250 and we'd be happy to help arrange this before or after one of our trips.

Click here to reserve your spot with a $250 deposit.

Explore the seas off Honduras with
Eastern Mountain Sports Kayak School Director
Peter Casson

Hey, it’s always summer somewhere on our planet, so there’s no reason to toss aside kayaking just because of cold waters. Why not join our head Kayak School Director and kayaking guru Peter Casson for a warm water adventure kayaking the Bay Islands off Honduras in March, 2009?

Nestled just thirty miles off the Caribbean coast of Honduras, the Bay Islands offer beautiful paddling, diverse local cultures, and world class snorkeling and fishing. This is a big experience – combining kayaking, snorkeling and tropical biology all with a twist of the rich cultural soup of this island group.

This trip operates on island time and works in harmony with the local economy and culture. We don't insulate you from the local people, but instead work with them for a lot of our daily needs – like seafood, bread, local transport and general sharing, because they are as interested in you as you are of them. The people of Honduras are every bit as appealing as the water and mountainscapes they live in.

You'll fly to the island of Roatan, which has an international airport receiving direct flights from Houston, Miami and Atlanta. We'll venture daily from our comfortable tropical fruit farm base in the village of Punta Blanca. Each two bedroom island style casita has its own bath with hot water showers and a screened in porch to enjoy the breezes and the sounds of the sea. We have all the comforts of home, but without any ringing telephones, roads, and to-do lists. Our front yard is a coral reef! Meals are served from a central kitchen/deck area and are al fresco...as they should be.

Added bonus! If you sign up for this trip this summer, you’ll get an invitation to one of our scheduled “Strokes and Rescue classes” free.

About Peter Casson: With over 20 years experience teaching and guiding people of all abilities, Peter has the knowledge to make this trip a once in a lifetime event. Born in the UK, Peter has traveled extensively and understands what’s involved in making this trip unforgettable.

Itinerary:

Day 1) Flight arrival on Roatan. Flight arrival on Roatan. We'll pick you up and transport you via Minibus to our base at Punta Blanca. A special seafood dinner will be prepared for us by our friend Don at Windsong.

Days 2 - 7) We’ll be doing a variety of day trips out of our comfortable lodge location, beginning with day paddles in each direction to discover mangrove tunnels, local culture and a part of the island where the water IS the road. Once you've got you've acclimated a bit, we'll start venturing further afield to explore reefs, secret channels, big BLUE water and the Pigeon Cayes (best snorkeling in the Bay Islands). You can even learn to brace, roll and surf in 80 degree water or just hang in the hammock and watch the hummingbirds. Enjoy terrific seafood feasts each night and sleep in the comfort of simple bedrooms in our comfortable cluster of casitas at the edge of the sea. Hey, how bad can that be?

Day 8) after breakfast, taxi to the airport for return flights or trip extensions of your choice.

General Travel Tips

Culture: Afro-Caribbean, English settlers of the 1700's, Spanish mainlanders and numerous European and American expatriates.

Topography: Roatan has a mountainous (up to about 2000') tropical forest to the edge of the sea. The Honduran mainland coastal mountain range visible from Roatan includes Pico Bonito which rises to 8000' just about a mile from the coast (sea level), which makes for a very dramatic coastal mountain range bringing us waterfalls, whitewater rivers and some brilliant inland hiking opportunities.

Time Zone: Central

Climate: Fall is hurricane season, but during summer (Feb/Mar/April), daytime highs can range to 90, evenings in the low 70's with a sea breeze. Roatan summer is the dry season, so rain is infrequent and sunscreen a must. This is also some of the best snorkling/diving time with 80 ft. visibility in 82 degree water.

Currency: The local currency is called the Lempira and currently trades at a bit over 19 to the US dollar. Basically, they’re each worth a nickel. Do not change money ahead of time. Everyone is happy to take US dollars on the island and you’ll get change in local currency at a very honest rate.

Food: Island food is typically small red beans and rice (not at all spicy), corn tortillas, coconut bread, plantains, chicken stewed with peppers and saffron, and seafood. We cook some island style and mix it with some other Caribe flavors. You may enjoy vanilla banana pancakes, pinto gallo (a Costa Rican breakfast), lobster paella, coconut grouper, conch stew, spicy shrimp pasta, snapper in fresh fruit sauce or traditional stewed chicken. Healthy fresh foods prepared this way take a little time, but there's always time for good food. We only patronize restaurants we trust and your food is carefully prepared to western standards by your guides. Vegetarian or non-seafood tastes are easily accommodated.

Language: Spanish is helpful, but most islanders speak English.

Passport, Visa and Immunizations: You need a current passport and your 30 day visa is issued on arrival. A recent tentanous booster and Hep. A shot is a good precaution against third world adaptation problems. You need to do this a few weeks in advance. Malaria--although uncommon, some people choose to take chloroquine as a preventive measure.

Drinking Water: Like most of Latin America, it is best not to drink any tap water, but bottled water is available everywhere and is provided in all of our lodging. That also goes for toothbrushing. Ice on the island is made from purified water.

Critters: Biting insects--sand flies or no-see-ums can be nasty when the wind dies, but it is predictably at dawn/dusk and clothing does the best job. We usually choose to sleep in on buggy mornings and do an inside "happy hour" during the short evening bug period. Snakes--yahoo, there are no poisonous snakes in the Bay Islands!

Packing List & Gear Details

This is the stuff that you need to bring and that you are limited to during the duration of the trip. We recommend putting all your essentials in a carry-on bag to avoid trip delays. Take a minute to look over the optional items and the packing notes.

Equipment

Snorkeling gear: If you have a mask and snorkel, by all mean bring it. You can get by without fins, but they are nice to have. Strap fins can be worn over booties to wade out to reef areas to dive. Choosing not to snorkel here would be a huge mistake. Gear Rental: We have a good selection of Snorkeling gear available for rent for $20/week.

Personal toiletries (with biodegradable soap) including a small, thin towel and TP, (thick towels never dry).

Clothing

Waterproof raincoat or paddle jacket.

Thin fleece jacket or sweater

Hat with wide brim for sun protection

Comfortable long sleeve shirt and long pants (quick drying if possible) for both sun and bug protection. Wrap around skirts or sarongs work well for around the hammock too.

2 or 3 short sleeve shirts or t-shirts: preferable non-cotton quick dry materials

2 pairs of comfortable quick drying loose shorts

Bathing suit

Neoprene booties, or an old pair of tennis shoes that can get wet--don't plan on paddling in sandals...they can and do get caught in footrests.

Comfortable shoes or sandals for hiking around the island trails looking for iguanas.

2 pair socks (bug and sun protection)

For those sun sensitive souls--light gloves

Nuts and Bolts

Passport; be sure to make a couple copies of the first two pages and stash in your bags.

At least SPF 15 waterproof/sweat proof sunscreen

A book you've been truly wanting to read

Small AA flashlight or headlamp

Daypack or waist pack to hold items that you access often

Misc. important items: extra glasses or contacts, bandana, camera and film, a few zip lock bags, a disposable waterproof camera,

Sunglasses with full UV protection/polarized if you want to fish

Band aids, chap stick

Aloe gel

Water bottle -one liter

Optional

Field guides, binoculars, camera, notebook or journal, small musical instruments, spouse, specific diet needs/snacks, kites and Prozac.

Fishing Equipment: It deserves its own section. Species available: Bonefish, Snapper, Barracuda, Jacks, Permit (yeah, right) and even Tarpon. We'll be staying near some very good sand flats and reefs, which are home to many swimming items that may be on the menu. There will be time to fish. You will need to bring any and all tackle with you, as there is none available on Roatan. A medium action 6'-8' spinning rod with 12-20 lb. test line is fun and useful. For fly rodders an 8wt is ideal with a disc drag reel and tropical floating line. Fly selection should include some bonefish bitters in green, clousers, crazy charlies and a couple of crab patterns…all tied very light. Have lots of leader material.... these are toothy fish. E-mail me if you have more specific fishing questions or would like to arrange additional days with a flats guide.

Donations: Often people like to bring their old prescription eyeglasses down to be donated. This is a great idea and I'm happy to get them into hands that will distribute them wisely.

Packing: We will provide dry bags for day tripping out of our private hacienda and any sort of duffel or rugged bag will function well to get you to the islands and back. We recommend casual travel clothing, a carry-on with your trip essentials (so that a lost bag will not halt everyone's trip), and a daypack to use as a daily personal bag for getting around.

Pace: Generally we travel in two-hour blocks with breaks to relax, stretch and graze. We would consider 5 hours/12miles of paddling a fairly ambitious day. If a crossing looks risky, we go for a walk instead…the hiking on the island is great!

Alcohol: For liability reasons we don't supply this in any quantity. We can make a stop enroute to our base to let you pick out a few supplies. Local beer and rum is pretty good and inexpensive. Please leave any illegal drugs at home...it puts everyone at risk

Call 888-755-8735 / Contact Us