The largest, most populated of the six Bay Islands, Roatán is considered the jewel of the Western Caribbean, famed for its barrier reef, diving and fishing cultures, coupled with its breathtaking hills and lush tropical landscapes. Leaving port at Coxen Hole, you’ll head off-the-beaten track to the east side of the island to the picturesque fishing villages of Punta Gorda, on the northern coast, and Oak Ridge, on the southern. Punta Gorda is home to about 150 families of local Garifuna people, the descendants of African slaves who arrived in Roatán from St. Vincent in 1797, after being exiled by the British following a quashed rebellion. In Punta Gorda, a Garifuna guide and a local fisherman will give an in-depth fishing demonstration, while a cook fries up the catch of the day and lets you sample the fresh fish. Over on the southern coast, boarding a traditional cayuco boat at the landing docks at B.J.’s Backyard Restaurant, you’ll get an up-close view of Oak Ridge, known as the Venice of Roatán, as the village is only accessible by boat.

Passing Oak Ridge’s brightly painted wooden houses on stilts, you’ll learn how this sleepy seaside village, once inhabited by pirates, is home to family-owned fishing companies that remain the second biggest industry on the island. Your guided cayuco journey will continue through majestic mangrove tunnels toward neighboring Jonesville before your cayuco docks for lunch at Hole in the Wall restaurant, a true local hangout and boater’s respite that brings out your inner pirate. At Hole in the Wall, you’ll be treated to a traditional Honduran seafood platter served with rice and beans, vegetables and fried plantains. For those ready for something with a bit more punch, a cash bar is available. End the day on land, as you travel back to the port.