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We arranged for us to go back to West End to meet up with Carol and Derick for a few days of snorkeling and such.
So off we left from Jonesville Bight using a strong westerly wind for a very swift sail through rough seas to West Bay. As it turned out Derick and Carol never ventured out that day as it was so rough and windy, but arrived the following day in nearly equally windy easterly winds.
West End
After we arrived we enjoyed a swim in the bay that was protected by the reef. However with the wind blowing into the bay we had some real rocking and rolling through the night.
Another big reason for getting to West Bay was to get cash, groceries and laundry done. So first off we dropped off the laundry then we got a taxi to Elden’s to do a restocking. With chores out of the way we had a few fun days with Derick and Carol. We enjoyed a lovely lunch at a local restaurant and an evening together on Aeeshah catching up with news of mutual friends.
Walking to West End Bay
Off we set in the morning to walk the entire beach and waterside from West End “town” to the West Bay at the very end.
It is shady in the morning as it faces west and the scenery is lovely in the morning light. Plus the fun parts are scrambling over the rocks and trying to avoid getting wet feet. Past resorts some shuttered, some very modern all very well maintained with raked beaches. About two thirds of the way there you find a bridge that goes over a private boat canal. As the bridge is quite tall it affords quite a good view of the bay.
After the bridge you cut through various smallest resorts along a small broad walk and then there you are at West Bay the hub of tourism.
This beach is just dedicated to making the average cruise ship passenger happy. It is enjoyable strolling along looking at everything on offer.
Derick was checking out the fly fishing opportunities, stopping every so often to watch the fish, or so he said. We had a grand time.
Snorkeling was another fun afternoon. The reefs there are just lovely and the water very clear. Unfortunately I forgot to load my card in my go-pro so no photos that time
Off to Port Royal area
At the Eastern end of Roatan are a couple of very large bays: Old Port Royal and Port Royal. After them there are a few islands too, but we were bound for the bays. Our choice of anchorage was actually a mooring buoy off of Mango Creek Resort.
We did as usual and ran our own check to make sure it was secure and then doubled up with lines to the chain too. The other bonus of being off the resort and paying for a mooring is security. There is security both day and night. We could tell they checked us at night by the light that would regularly sweep across the boat. In such a lonely area this is very comforting.
This lovely resort is only accessible by water and when we arrived it was “shut” as the owners were away. However the friendly staff let us wander around and stretch our legs.
The large, manicured grounds were enjoyable to wander around, plus there were trails leading up into the highlands above – next time we will walk them.
Dinghy trips around the bays
We spent each day we were in the anchorage traveling by dinghy to the far reaches of each bay. In the bay we were in we travelled to the end of Lime Cay Bight
where we found a trail at Conch Cay Point.
Following this we walked a distance along the shoreline – never saw another person, however there were some fancy homes looking down on us.
Around Jenning’s Point and into Port Royal
we travelled the shoreline, again there were a few homes, some derelict, some for sale and a couple seemed occupied, but nobody about. The majority of the slopes were forested and we had planned to find a trail or 2, but everywhere looked very overgrown and bush hacking was not for us.
At Fort Cay where the old British fort is located we were unable to go ashore as it was posted private.
The Cow and Calf islands are lovely rugged outposts where the water was crystal clear.
From Port Royal again in the dinghy we were able to pass through a canal into Old Port Royal.
This again is a massive bay however with even fewer signs of habitation.
There was a dredger that looked to be stored at the end of the bay and a very interesting looking wreck on the reefs.
A number of water taxis were crossing the bay taking folks to the next canal that actually leads to the very end of the island, the other side and the next island. We wanted to explore it , but felt it was time to move on. So we were off again ….
