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Key Superior Room at Anthony's Key Resort

Key Rooms at Anthony's Key enjoy fabulous sea views

Anthony's Key Resort is surrounded by sandy beaches

Utila Aggressor

The Caribbean

THE BAY ISLANDS, HONDURAS

Whale Sharks, dolphins and spectacular reefs

Wonderful dolphin encounters are commonplace at Anthony's Key Resort

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 there, amongst the green and gently rolling hills as a background, that Anthony’s Key Resort is situated. Utila is the westernmost of the Bay Islands and is home to the Utila Aggressor.

Graceful giants of the ocean, Whale Sharks, migrate through Honduran waters every year from February to June, peaking in February, May and June. These delightful fish (the largest fish in the ocean) are really the stars of the show in Honduras and are now a protected species. Whale Sharks exhibit an amazing tolerance towards inquisitive and awe-struck divers. If you have never shared your personal space with a Whale Shark, now is the time to start!

Coral grows thickly on the reef walls in Honduras and many dive sites start at as little as 10 metres. At Tabyana 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.

Pepper Point is a dive with beautiful topography and some fascinating marine life. The wall slopes away to a sandy shelf at about 35 metres with many large, shelf-like coral formations cascading down from the crenulated reef top. The entire formation makes for a series of mini pinnacles, grooves and ridges with sandy holes populated by a large number of fish. Blackcap Basslets flit about close to the recesses and can often be seen swimming ‘upside down’ with their undersides facing the ceiling of the recess. Pretty and colourful, violet and golden Fairy Basslets hide in the recesses and may retreat further, unless one approaches with care, but patience will be rewarded, as these beautiful fish will re-emerge to offer a great show if you hang around for a few minutes. Sand flats are always a fascinating place to look for the more discreet species, including Peacock Flounders and of course the shy Brown Garden Eels which sway tantalizingly before disappearing down their burrows. Search carefully for the strange Large-eyed Toadfish at the contact zone between the reef and the sand – its weird face may be the only part you see, peeping out from a hole in the reef. This amazing fish, with its wide flattened head, has a series of barbules or branched, fleshy ‘whiskers’ protruding from its chin, rather like a witch in a children’s fairy tale.

Close to Anthony’s Key Resort, and one of their regular dive sites, is El Aquila or ‘The Eagle’, a freighter which ran cargo between Puerto Cortes, Honduras and San Andres Island. The vessel sank, close to Utila island, in the early 1990s but was salvaged and brought to Anthony’s Key Resort, where she was re-sunk and now features as one of the highlight dives in the area. The ship is intact and rests perfectly upright on a sandy bottom in around 30 metres. Coral growth is not completely established but already the wreck provides homes for many reef fish and also some larger inhabitants. Cero, or Spanish Mackerel, can be found in this area. These slim, silver and gold, and usually solitary fish are cousins to barracuda and can grow up to a metre in length.

The sinking of the 100-metre Odyssey, off the north coast of Roatan and a 12-minute boat ride out of Anthony’s Key, has provided one of the Caribbean’s largest wrecks. She is 100 metres from bow to stern and almost 30 metres from keel to the tip of her mast.

The summits of the seamounts off the remote Cayos Cochinos, another area featured on Utila Aggressor cruises, 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.

ANTHONY’S KEY RESORT

Reminiscent of a peaceful oasis, the all-inclusive Anthony’s Key Resort at Sandy Bay on Roatan has a unique and attractive layout, comprising a short stretch of mainland coast, a small key (Anthony’s Key) and a tiny islet known as Bailey’s Key. Charming wooden cabanas are dotted along the resort’s palm studded hillside and along the rim of the lagoon. These are known as the Hill rooms. Hill Standard Rooms are nestled in the tropical foliage on the hillside of the main island. There are around 80 steps up from the dock to these rooms. Wooden floor to ceiling louvered windows allow the continuous breeze to air and cool the rooms, which have ceiling fans (but not air-conditioning). The rooms have en-suite bathrooms and a choice of two double beds or one double bed and two bunk beds. Hill Superior Rooms have the same facilities but the louvered screens have been replaced with glass windows and air-conditioning has been installed. There is a choice of two double beds or two twin beds and one double bed. On the tiny islet, reached by a very short boat ride, more wooden cabanas, known as Key rooms, have been built to offer a more private location and ocean or sea views. Key Standard Rooms are located on the water’s edge or over the water on stilts and guests go back and forth between the key and the main island by frequent water taxi. These rooms have wooden louvered windows and are similar in structure and design to the Hill Standard Rooms, except that there is a choice of two double or one king sized bed. Key Superior rooms are located on the key, and like the Key Standard Rooms, some rooms are on the water’s edge and some on stilts above the water. Key Superior Rooms are similar in design and layout to the Hill Superior Rooms, and have glass windows and air-conditioning. There is a choice of two double or one king-sized bed. There is a newly-built swimming pool on the Key and a shore-diving station.

At the resort’s main complex, the restaurant and bar are perched high on the hillside surrounded by towering coconut palms. As the sun sets why not treat yourself to an exotic and relaxing rum punch at the Frangipani Bar whilst you watch out for the ‘green flash’? At the water’s edge are located the dive shop, the Institute for Marine Sciences where dolphin presentations and shows are made, a gift shop and the Dolphin Café. There is a recompression chamber on site.

Three single tank boat dives daily, unlimited shore diving tanks 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, paddle boating, canoeing and windsurfing. Unlimited shore diving tanks are available from 1500-2100 daily and night boat diving is available from just before sunset on Tuesdays and Thursdays. 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, which is a truly wonderful experience!

Meet the Dolphins at Anthony’s Key Resort: If you have ever wanted to dive or swim with dolphins, AKR is the place to go. There is a choice of courses and programmes for both adults and children throughout the year. From May to August, 5-9 year olds and 10-14 year olds can join a 6-day Dolphin Summer Scuba Camp (Sundays to Fridays) and learn about and interact with the dolphins as well as learn to snorkel and scuba (SASY and Bubblemaker programmes). For adults, dolphin dives and dolphin swims are available, as well as Trainer-for-a-day sessions. For the really keen dolphin-lover there is even a 7-nights dolphin-trainer package! Maybe you would like to train to work with dolphins or simply have the most unique experience of a lifetime! Bookings for all the dolphin programmes should be made on the island on arrival, except the children’s dolphin camp, which must be pre-booked.

Beautiful Anthony’s Key Resort is suitable for couples or for families with younger children or teenagers or anyone who wants lots of diving in a beautiful Caribbean setting.

Anthony’s Key has standard 4 or 7 nights packages, but you can extend either package by as many additional nights as you wish.

Price: from about £317 (from about £286 without diving) for 4 nights; from about £523 (from about £479 without diving) for 7 nights. Includes: airport transfers; 4 or 7 nights full board accommodation (breakfast, lunch and dinner) on a twin/share basis in a Hill Standard Room at Anthony’s Key Resort; 3 single tank boat dives per day, 2 night dives per week and unlimited shore diving tanks between the hours of 1500-2100, dive guide for boat dives; daily dolphin presentations (and one dolphin encounter for non-divers); picnic on Tabyana beach and Island Fiesta night; activities including guided snorkeling, horseback riding, hiking, kayaking and canoeing; local tax at 16%. Deposit: £200.

Single Occupancy Supplement: from about £94 for either 4 or 7 nights.

Children’s rates: Lower rates apply to children aged 5-9 years who are sharing a room with their parents, and to children aged 5-14 who are sharing a room with their parents and taking the Dolphin Summer Scuba Camp.

UTILA AGGRESSOR

The Utila Aggressor is a very comfortable liveaboard that carries a maximum of 14 passengers in six staterooms. Five 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. One Quad Cabin has a four single bunk beds and a bathroom next door. 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). 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. 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. A range of PADI and NAUI speciality courses are offered on Utila 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.

Utila Aggressor operates out of the island of Ultila for 7 nights cruises, departing every Saturday throughout the year. Passengers are flown between San Pedro Sula Airport (on the mainland of Honduras) and Utila. The cruise itinerary includes dive sites at the islands of Cayos Cochinos, Roatan and Utila.

Price: from £1178. Includes: airport transfers; 7 nights cruise on Utila Aggressor on a twin/share or quad/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. Reductions for divers 65 or over, non-divers and extra weeks. A port tax of US$95 and the charter airfare of US$150 between San Pedro Sula and Utila return (subject to change) are not included in the package price and will be collected on board. Dinner on the last night is not included, but guests will be provided with guidance about good local restaurants. Deposit: £600.

Single Occupancy Supplement: 50% of the cruise cost (but you can avoid paying the supplement if you are willing to share a cabin).

FLIGHTS: Prices from about £847 to Roatan or San Pedro Sula. There are daily flight connections to Roatan and San Pedro Sula (but an overnight stay en route in the United States is unavoidable). We will quote you the airfare applicable, based on routing, season, current fare levels and booking class availability. Our quote will include all taxes and fuel supplements applicable at the time of quotation, as well as our service charge. The usual airfare deposit is £300.

COMBINATIONS: It is easy to combine a liveaboard cruise on Utila Aggressor with a shore-based stay at Anthony’s Key Resort with its wonderful Bottle-nosed Dolphins. There are local flights between Utila and Roatan. Talk to us about the possibilities.

The end of the diving day at Anthony's Key