THE BAY ISLANDS, HONDURAS

Year:2003

Spectacular reefs and dolphin encounters

Season: Year-round diving

Visibility: 30-40 metres, sometimes up to 60 metres

Water temperature: 26-29°C

Sandwiched between Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua is the little-visited Central American country of Honduras. The Bay Islands of Roatan, Guanaja and Utila, as well as numerous small cays and islets, are to be found in the beautiful southern Caribbean Sea off the coast of mainland Honduras and have developed a reputation for offering some great diving.

The Bay Islands have all that a diver could require for a dream holiday. Volcanic peaks surrounded by coral reefs form part of the world's second biggest barrier reef system which stretches down from Mexico through Belize and on to Honduras. A diverse variety of dive sites from shallow lagoons to seamounts, walls and sheer drop-offs is matched by an equally diverse population of marine life. Jungle-topped islands with swaying palm trees and deserted coral sand beaches dot the landscape. The larger islands have villages along the shores yet the small remote cays are seemingly untouched by civilization. Roatan is the largest of the Bay Islands and it is here, with the green and gently rolling hills as a background, that your diving holiday begins.

At Tabiyana Reef and Half Moon Bay dramatic rock and coral formations bottom out at 30 metres to a white sandy sea bed. Schooling Horse-eye Jacks, morays and lobsters can be found here as well as a host of rainbow-coloured smaller creatures such as Blue Chromis, the ubiquitous Creole Wrasse, shy little blennies, crabs and fairy-like shrimps.

A labyrinth of tunnels and caves cut through the reef in shallow water and eventually lead to an inner lagoon at Dolphin Den. Not only are dolphins frequently found here but the tunnels are usually filled with the flashing silver shimmering of thousands of silversides. Sunlight pours through the opening in the rock illuminating these delightful tiny fish that form beautiful shapes and patterns as they twist and turn as if they were but a single creature.

Off the island of Guanaja is the exciting 70-metre wreck of the Jado Trader. The twisted wreckage and the superb variety of marine life make for some excellent opportunities for the underwater photographer.

The summits of the seamounts off Cayos Cochinos are found at about 10 metres. Enrobed with many varieties of corals and sponges, these seamounts are home to morays and reef sharks as well as large schools of Atlantic Spadefish. Search the cracks and crevices for arrowcrabs, lobsters and nudibranchs.

Travelling between islands usually takes between two and three hours, so there is little interruption to the diving schedule. Indeed liveaboard diving itineraries usually allow for five dives a day.

BAY ISLANDS AGGRESSOR

The Bay Islands Aggressor IV, built in 1998, is a very comfortable liveaboard that carries a maximum of 20 passengers in 10 twin-berth staterooms. Eight Deluxe Staterooms have one large lower bed and an upper single bed. Each cabin has a private head and shower, TV/VCR and air-conditioning. The two Master Suites have a double bed, private head and shower and are large and spacious. Both Master Suites are on the upper deck. Six crew provide superb service throughout the cruise and make sure your diving holiday runs smoothly. Between dives guests can relax on the sundeck (either in or out of the shade) or try the amazing jacuzzi! The salon has an excellent collection of books, videos and music to enjoy.

The dive deck covers the aft third of the main deck. Large gear lockers double as seats and line the rails and centre. Two tanks are mounted at the back of each locker, so it is easy to don your equipment at your seat or ask for the tank to be taken to the dive platform. Dive information is displayed on a large board which shows depth and marine life information. A large three-tiered camera table has plenty of space for camera assembly or preparation and separate rinse tanks are kept for cameras and videos. The photography department provides rental cameras and accessories as well as the services of the photo pro if you require a model or expert advice. E-6 processing is available daily. Light tables are always available for slide viewing. A range of PADI and NAUI speciality courses are offered on Bay Islands Aggressor including Nitrox training and facilities. A full range of diving equipment is available for rental by pre-arrangement.

For after the dive there is a freshwater shower and clean towels awaiting, as well as the chef's freshly prepared snacks to appease the after-dive hunger pangs! Delicious barbecues, American-style and local dishes are served; breads, biscuits and baked snacks come strait from the oven. Most meals are served buffet-style.

Bay Islands Aggressor operates out of the harbour at Romeo's Restaurant, French Harbour, Roatan for 7 nights cruises, departing every Saturday throughout the year.

A Bay Islands Aggressor brochure is available from our office on request.

£912 in a Deluxe Stateroom

£1053 in a Master Suite

Includes:

· Airport transfers if arriving/departing on Saturdays.

· 7 nights cruise on Bay Islands Aggressor on a twin/share basis with full board (except dinner on the last night), including non-alcoholic and local alcoholic beverages.

· 5 full days of diving (up to 4 or 5 dives per day, including night dives) plus one or two dives on the last day, cylinders and weights.

Please note: A port tax/airport tax, currently US $45 per person, and recompression chamber donation of US $12 will be collected on board. Dinner on the last night is not included, but guests will be provided with guidance about good local restaurants.

Non-divers: A £141 reduction applies.

Additional Week: A £141 discount applies.

Single Occupancy Supplement: If you are travelling alone and are willing to share a twin cabin with a fellow passenger of the same sex you can avoid paying any supplement. If you prefer to have a cabin to yourself a 50% supplement applies.

Deposit: £400

EXTENDING YOUR STAY

AT ANTHONY'S KEY RESORT

Why not spend some time on Roatan either before or after your cruise? We can arrange for you to stay at the famous Anthony's Key Resort. All-inclusive packages are available on a daily basis. Guests stay in simple, but attractive wooden bungalows which are mounted on stilts. Three single tank boat dives daily and two single tank night dives weekly are included in the price along with three meals per day and a host of other outdoor activities including beach picnics, horse riding, kayaking, paddleboating, canoeing and windsurfing The Roatan Institute for Marine Sciences is situated on the premises and arrangements may be made to either swim, snorkel or dive with their resident Bottle-nosed Dolphins, a wonderful experience.

Weekly rates: (Low season: 4-31 January, 1-31 May, 1 August-21 November, 1-19 December. High Season: 1-3 January, 1 February-30 April, 1 June-31 July, 22-29 November, 20-31 December.)

Hill Standard Room:

£489 (or £612 single occupancy) in low season

£674 (or £796 single occupancy) in high season

Key Superior Room:

£633 (or £756 single occupancy) in low season

£817 (or £939 single occupancy) in high season

Deposit: £200

A variety of other room categories are available, including suites. Contact us for more details about the resort and rates.

Airport transfers are included, but not transfers between the resort and the dock where the Bay Islands Aggressor is moored: this is just a short and inexpensive taxi ride away.

FLIGHTS

Bay Islands Aggressor packages run from Saturday to Saturday, but as it is not possible to reach Roatan the same day it is necessary to leave London on Friday morning and overnight in Houston en route.

The airfares shown are the least expensive fare category available at the time of going to press. We will quote you the airfare applicable, based on current fare levels and booking class availability, at the time of booking. The usual airfare deposit is £100.

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES

Depart by Continental Airlines on a Friday morning from London (Gatwick) to Houston, arriving in the afternoon and overnighting at an hotel. On Saturday morning take a TACA flight to Roatan, arriving in the early afternoon. Return from Roatan on Saturday morning with TACA and connect at Houston with a Continental Airlines evening flight, arriving at London (Gatwick) on Sunday morning.

£750 for departures 11 January-30 April (excluding Easter), 1 November-8 December, 25-31 December.

£920 for departures 1 May-13 June, 1-31 October.

£960 for departures 14-30 June, 1-30 September.

£1015 for departures 1-10 January, 9-18 December.

£1120 for departures at Easter, 1 July-31 August, 19-24 December.

Includes:

· Scheduled flights London (Gatwick)/Houston/London (Gatwick) by Continental Airlines.

· Scheduled flights Houston/Roatan/Houston by TACA International Airlines.

Overnights in Houston: £40 per night room-only at the Marriott Airport Hotel, a comfortable hotel situated within the Houston Intercontinental Airport terminal complex, on a twin/share basis. A single occupancy supplement of £40 per night applies.