Visitors to Roatan’s East End come to experience Caribbean living the way it once was. The East End is sparsely populated – home to small fishing villages, farms, cattle ranches, lush mangroves, sprawling jungle, and virgin beaches. The rich history of the East End can be discovered by taking a small step off the beaten path and paying a visit to one of the many restaurants or some of the places that can only be reached by boat. Roatan’s East End offers simple, country living, perfect for people who are looking to get away from it all.
Politilly Bight
When heading East from French Harbour, you will pass several communities. The first secluded development includes Milton Bight which is a mixed community of locals and expats who more commonly live in beachfront homes or up on the hills in ocean-view island-style homes in many cases. Traveling further, you will come across Politilly Bight, a small fishing community located along the North Shore that has recently become increasingly popular with expats. And if you are looking for something to do in the area, Turquoise Bay hosts karaoke every Wednesday night popular with expats and locals alike!
Jonesville & Oakridge
Jonesville is a small fishing village that was established on Roatan in the 1800s. This quiet and quaint community is best known for the “Hole in The Wall” restaurant, accessible only by boat and renowned for its lobster feast. This is a sleepy town, where many an hour can be spent enjoying views of the shrimp and lobster boats when they are not out at sea, or enjoying great diving or mangrove tours.
Oak Ridge is the largest community on the east side of the island and it is here where you can find colorful, traditional island homes built on stilts above the water. The main mode of transportation in Oak Ridge is by boat, which locals use to connect to Jonesville and Calabash Bight. A can’t miss, unforgettable experience in the area is a Mangrove Tour, where you will take a small boat through the canals of the environmentally protected Mangrove Forest. You can also pass the time traversing the canals of the community on a wooden doorie or catching a boat at BJ’s to explore the hidden treasures of Port Royal’s Wildlife Refuge.
Punta Gorda
Punta Gorda: welcome to the oldest settlement on Roatan, home to the Garifuna people since 1797! The majority of inhabitants are Garifunas who have been on the island for generations, but there are also a few lots and homes owned by expats who fell in love with the views, laid-back lifestyle and great culture of the surrounding community. Expats and tourists can learn more about the local Garifuna population by paying a visit to the Yubu Center, located along the main road, or Wagundan Restaurant, one of our must-stops when in Punta Gorda! Sundays can be spent enjoying the street party, where you can try the local herbal drink by the name of Gifity, taste traditional local dishes like Machucha (fish soup with plantain), and learn the traditional and exotic punta dance. When all is said and done, it’s an easy, five-minute drive back to the main road.
Punta Blanca and Calabash Bight
Calabash Bight is known as the safest harbor on the island, picture perfect and protected from hurricanes. Still largely undeveloped, this is the part of Roatan that many people never get to see or experience. Mainly composed of lots waiting to be developed, there is also a beautiful resort in the area offering an on-site restaurant. Nearby, you will find Punta Blanca; a large and tight-knit community of expats along the north shore, about a half mile past Oak Ridge, with several waterfront lots available. Ask us about what great listings are available!
Paya Bay & Camp Bay
Travelling further East will take you past the boutique resort Paya Bay, which is a haven of hiking trails, secluded coves, and two white sandy beaches. Soon after, you will arrive in Camp Bay, boasting a 2 mile stretch of crisp white sand which is arguably the most beautiful beach in Roatan. The area of Camp Bay is quiet; the road is partially paved, humble homes and eco-conscious resorts dot the landscape, and the beaches remain nearly untouched. Electricity did not even reach this side of the island until 2009! While the area may be isolated, there are still plenty of fantastic restaurants nearby to enjoy such as The Crow’s Nest at Marble Hill Farms, the restaurant at Camp Bay Lodge, or Las Sirenas, a small palapa over the water known for its rum punch and delicious fresh seafood.
Roatan’s East End is a rare gem that has become increasingly hard to find as development begins to take hold. It is here on the East End that you can immerse yourself in the Caribbean as it once was, far away from the noise and close to all the things that matter most: you and your connection to nature. The East End offers plenty of untouched space, the thrill of undiscovered treasure, and the tranquility of undisturbed peace. This is the place to be for the adventurous settler.
