The mangroves on the shores of Roatan island are instrumental in the stability of the environment, providing refuge for a variety of marine life and protecting the surrounding reef from sediment during runoff. What is more, they are inherently beautiful to behold.

Our Mangrove Eco-Tour offers an exceptional opportunity for a unique, fun, and educational shore excursion and island tour. Not only will you learn about the ecological implications of this important biological system, you can experience this tropical phenomenon yourself in an authentic Caribbean island dory.

You will learn:

• How the mangrove tunnels came to be and why.
• What animals and marine life live in them.
• What trees and plants comprise a mangrove.
• How people have used mangroves.
• How mangroves serve our environment.
• And much, much more.

What is a Mangrove?

Click to See Photo Gallery

Our Mangrove Eco-Tour combines an enjoyable overland tour of the island of Roatan, a pleasant boat ride through the mangrove tunnels of Jonesville, followed by a relaxing hike on well-maintained trails along the shores of First Bight.

We guarantee a unique, interesting, and fun eco-tour for all that is professional, educational, and exciting.

Rain or shine, the Mangrove Eco-Tour is a pleasant experience for all age groups.

Tour Highlights

• See and learn about Roatan's unique ecosystem featuring a wide variety of tropical vegetation and wildlife.
• Visit Oak Ridge, located in the East End of the island, a historical and culturally interesting seafaring community.
• Tour the uniquely-formed Mangroves of Jonesville, featuring water tunnels built by early Indians.
• Guests visit Mangroves in authentic island water dories.
• Enjoy a short hike along the shore of First Bight, which hosts a variety of mangroves and marine life.

Tour Description

Guests are greeted* and transported to Oak Ridge (known as "the Venice of the Caribbean") in a clean, well maintained, air conditioned van or minibus. Officially trained tour guides escort each van/minibus describing points of interest with discussion of the ecology of the reef and historical points of interest along the way. Vista points along the way offer panoramic seaviews for picture-taking opportunities.

Guests are then escorted to the dock and assisted into the waiting dories (authentic seaworthy, motorized island dugouts). Once everyone is safely seated in the dories, they will be taken through Jonesville to and through the mangrove tunnel. During the tour of the mangroves, information about the ecology of the mangroves and local marine life is provided.

Upon returning to Oak Ridge, the guests may opt for a beverage at the waterside café.

Next is a stop for photos and shopping on the ridge at First Bight where breathtaking views of Roatan offer perfect photo ops, and souvenir shops offer an array of island arts and crafts.

We then proceed into First Bight for a relaxing hike through forested areas where a variety of mangroves, tropical vegetation, and marine life can be seen.

Guests are then transported back to their point of origin*.

*Pickup and dropoff points are either at at a pre-arranged location for Roatan visitors or at the cruise ship dock in Coxen Hole.

Communications

• Email: We will monitor your emails closely. Click her for our email contact form.
• You can telephone the manager, Angela Missaggia. Click her for our telephone numbers.

Endorsements

This Tour Has Been Reviewed and Endorsed By:

• The Chamber of Tourism for the Bay Islands
• The Chamber of Commerce
• The Honduran Cruise Ship Committee
• The Municipality of Roatan
• The Municipality of Santos Guardiola

Illustration Below courtesy of The Bay Islands of Honduras,
written by Alexandra Lytton Regalado.

The Bay Islands of Honduras features photographs that capture the magical underwater world as well as the life and culture of Bay Island inhabitants. With hundreds of photographs accompanied by fascinating descriptions, this book of 261 pages will be treasured by all those who share a love for the Bay Islands. All of the profits generated by the sales of this book shall benefit the Doc Polo Galindo Clinic, a 5,800 square foot medical/dental clinic located just off the highway to Punta Gorda in east Roatan. The clinic provides education and access to first-class, modern medicine for all the people of Roatan, particularly those living in the Santos Guardiolas Municipality. All profits from the sale of this book are donated to the Doc Polo Galindo Clinic in Punta Gorda, Roatan.

Please Read our Disclaimer