The Bay Islands

Less commercialized than other Caribbean locales are the Bay Islands, 50km/31mi off the north coast of Honduras, with their white-sand beaches and excellent diving. Utila is the most budget friendly and Roatán is the most developed. Guanaja is a wonderful dive-site, although since the island was devastated by Hurricane Mitch in 1998, the island has been less of a draw for tourists. The Cayos Cochinos, an even more isolated version of the Bay Islands are protected by the Smithsonian Institute.