Travel Info

Getting To Guanaja

Please note that we try to keep this information current but the airlines and ferry can change schedules with little notice.

Miami, Atlanta, and Houston have direct daily flights to Roatán, and Dallas and Denver offer direct flights too, though less consistently. In the off-season, September through December, many flights run on weekends only, although American Airlines continues to fly into Roatán on weekdays. Most flights arrive around noon. From Roatán, you can reach Guanaja by commercial flight, charter plane, ferry, or private boat.

Commercial flights:
CM Airlines flies direct between Roatán and Guanaja on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, weather permitting. The flight leaves Roatán at 3:00 pm and returns from Guanaja at 8:30 am. Fares are around $100+ per person each way. Baggage is limited to 40 pounds in total, with all bags and carry-ons weighed together, and each extra pound is $1, so we recommend packing light.

Charter flights:

A couple of charter companies fly 5-seater planes directly from Roatán to Guanaja. The flight takes about 20 minutes and costs about $750 to $800 each way. Each plane can take up to three divers with their equipment.

Ferry:

The Galaxy Wave ferry is a one-and-a-half-hour ride and the most popular way to arrive. It runs from Roatán to Guanaja on Fridays at 1:00pm and Saturdays at 4:00pm, and from Guanaja to Roatán on Saturdays and Sundays at 8:30am. That means you can leave home and arrive in Guanaja the same day on Saturday, and on the way back you can leave Guanaja and be home the same day on Saturday or Sunday. For this reason, we do all our group trips and most individual trips from Saturday to Saturday.

We can take care of everything for you. We’ll pick you up at the Roatán airport, shuttle you to the ferry, and do the same on your return, and we’ll meet you at the ferry dock in Guanaja. We buy your tickets and add them to your trip invoice. The price is $150 per person round trip, or $75 per person one way, for first class tickets and the shuttle.

If you prefer to make your own arrangements, especially if you’re a group of two or three, you can save some money. A taxi from the airport to the ferry terminal costs about $25 to $30. You can buy tickets at the terminal (they can’t be bought ahead online), and they run about $35 to $50 each way depending on your age and whether you choose first class or regular. You’ll repeat the process in reverse when you leave.

If you’re prone to seasickness, take a motion-sickness pill about an hour before the trip. They hand them out free on the ferry, but by then it may be too late.

Private boat:

Hiring a boat is also possible and usually costs around $500 to $600. This option depends on the weather, since most of these boats aren’t big enough to cross comfortably in high seas.

We can help:

We’re always happy to help you plan the Roatán to Guanaja leg of your trip. If you choose the Saturday ferry, we’ll handle your tickets and transfers. If you’d rather fly, we can help you with a commercial or charter flight. And if you want to hire a boat, we can help with that too.

Entering Honduras

Travelers must have a valid passport with at least 6 months of validity at the time of entry. You don’t need a visa if you’re visiting for less than 90 days and have proof of a return flight.

All travelers entering or leaving Honduras must also complete a Customs Declaration Form. It’s quick to fill out online, and you can choose English or Spanish. One form covers a family traveling together. If you can’t complete it online, ask your airline for a paper copy. Complete the Honduras Customs Declaration Form

All travelers must also complete an immigration form, either online at INM Immigration Prechequeo or on paper on arrival.

If you’re traveling to Guanaja from anywhere other than the United States, check online for any travel restrictions that apply to your country of origin.

Weather

High temperatures in Guanaja range from 80’ F. in January to around 85’F. in August/September. Average ocean water temperatures (for you divers) are exactly the same. 80’ in January, ranging up to 85’ in September.

Guanaja receives on average 100 inches of rain a year. Although it can rain at any time, the official rainy season is from the Beginning of October through January. Even in the rainy season, there are very few “wash-out” days. During the rainy season, the “Green” island becomes the “Really Green” island.

In the Caribbean, official hurricane season is from June 1—November 30. The busy part of hurricane season is generally August and September. Because of their location, the Bay Islands receive very few hurricanes. So, although it is unusual for Guanaja to have a hurricane, it is possible.

Sunset and sunrise will vary by approximately an hour throughout the year. At the beginning of winter, the sun starts setting around 5:15, and at the beginning of summer, it sets around 6:15.

Note: Bay Islands time is the same as Central Time in the United States. Honduras does not recognize daylight saving time, however, so in the summer months Bay Island time is the same as Mountain Time.

What to Pack

Pack what you would wear at home during the summer. Shirts and shorts made from ‘quick-dry’ material are always good since there is always a chance of getting caught in a fast-moving squall. A waterproof bag or sleeve for your phone is good for the same reason, and a lightweight rain jacket or poncho can come in handy. Please note rainy season starts mid-October.

Many people like to wear light, long-sleeve, SPF-rated shirts to minimize the amount of sunscreen needed. Bring sunscreen; it can be hard to buy on the island. Polarized sunglasses really help when out on the water. A lot of people like to wear or bring some type of water shoes or swim sandals.

The island has bugs. They are unavoidable in a tropical location. Bring bug repellent and maybe bug bite ointment. Sand flies, or no-see-ums, are out at sunrise and sunset, but you can get bites pretty much any time, especially if you’re hiking.

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