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Anthony's Key Resort,
Roatan |
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Anthony's Key Resort is a full service dive resort. It also offers a first class snorkel program and
dolphin discovery programs. The resort is located in Roatan (languages spoken: English &
Spanish), one of the Bay Islands off the coast of Honduras. Nestled in the middle of a hillside
jungle, it offers guests panoramic views of fiery Caribbean sunsets and a chance to escape from
the hectic pace of "civilization". The resort spreads from the lush tropical foliage on
the hills down to a shimmering lagoon with two private palm covered islets, Anthony's Key and Bailey's
Key.
Wooden cabanas (with and without air-conditioning) are located on
Anthony's key (islet), on the edge of the lagoon by the dock, and up on the hill. The key is accessible by taxi boat,
approximately a minute boat ride away from the dock, where beach volleyball,
watersports, and a small sandy area with lounge chairs create the perfect spot to unwind and relax.
The other islet, Bailey's Key, has a nature trail where guests may
observe small wildlife, and where dolphin programs are provided.
The open restaurant on the hill not only provides guests with
delicious meals, but breathtaking views as well, and above all, AKR's exceptional staff will make your stay unforgettable.
A DESCRIPTION OF ANTHONY'S KEY RESORT:
Anthony's Key (AKR) is located in Roatan, one of the Bay Islands off the coast of Honduras.
Nestled in the middle of a hillside jungle, it offers guests panoramic views of fiery Caribbean
sunsets and a chance to escape from the hectic pace of "civilization". The resort spreads from the
lush tropical foliage on the hills down to a shimmering lagoon with two private palm covered islets. Wooden cabanas (with and without
air-conditioning) are located on one of the keys (islets), on the
edge of the lagoon by the dock, and up on the hill. The key is accessible by taxi boat,
approximately a minute boat ride away from the dock, where beach volleyball,
watersports, and a small sandy area with lounge chairs create the perfect spot to unwind and relax. The other islet,
Bailey's Key, has a nature trail where guests may observe small wildlife, and where dolphin
programs are provided. The open restaurant on the hill not only provides guests with delicious
meals, but breathtaking views as well, and above all, AKR's exceptional staff will make your stay
unforgettable.
Adjacent to the resort is the Roatan Institute for Marine Sciences (RIMS), who provide the dolphin
discovery programs, as well as student programs. RIMS also offers Dolphin Discovery Camp for
children during the summer months of June, July and August. The Roatan museum is also next to
the resort, and AKR guests have free entrance daily.
ACCOMMODATIONS AND MEALS:
Anthony's Key Resort has 56 individual wooden bungalows. Standard rooms are fully screened on
three sides with louvered windows from floor to ceiling and ceiling fans. Air-conditioned
rooms are weather-sealed and fitted with high-visibility glass windows. All bungalows have hot
water, shower, toilet, 110V 60hz electricity and either a porch or sundeck. Most bungalows
have two double beds, or 1 double and 1 single bed.. Some king beds are available and we
have a few rollaway and children's beds. Also available are the Key Deluxe and Jr. Suites
(honeymoon suites).
MEALS: are ample and delicious. Breakfast is your choice of just about anything. Lunch is
either a buffet or choice of two entrees. Once a week a picnic lunch is held on Tabyana Beach.
Dinner is your choice of local seafood, chicken or meat. Once a week there is a buffet dinner
and a limbo party on the Key. All dining is from a "set" menu, there is no a la carte service. If
you have any special needs please contact the resort manager upon arrival. Meal times are:
Breakfast 7:00-9:OO AM \ Lunch 12:00-2:00 PM \ Dinner 7:00-9:OO PM. All water used at
the resort is from artesian wells and further undergoes a chlorinating process for safe drinking
and cooking water.
THE DIVING
Diving in Roatan is world class, with visibility ranging from 75 to 150 ft and a mean
water temperature of 78 to 80 deg. F. There are approximately 35 distinct dive sites
within 10 to 20 minutes of the resort. These sites provide an unusual variety of
caves, ledges, tunnels, holes, walls, sand chutes and eel gardens. Almost every species of tropical fish and coral indigenous to
the Caribbean can be found here. The reefs are beautiful and an irreplaceable natural resource
of the Island. The reefs are part of the Sandy Bay West End Marine Reserve and are
completely protected. NO spear fishing, collecting, hunting, salvaging, or touching the reefs is
allowed.
The dive shop is equipped with 10,000 cu. ft. of compressed air storage with two 80
C.F.M. main diesel compressors. We have 6 dive boats with a divemaster and captain for each boat.
Each diver must have a certification card, a submersible pressure gauge and a BC jacket. Each
buddy team must have a depth gauge and timing device. The first time you report to the dive
shop you will be assigned a tank and storage number for the week. The boat sign-up procedure
will be explained at that time. Prior to your first dive you will perform a short orientation dive.
This is required by everyone and insures that divers are comfortable with their equipment
and buoyancy before going on their first dive.
AKR is proud to feature one of the most modern and complete dive boat fleets in the
Caribbean. In addition to six 42' island built custom dive boats used for standard
dive operations, there are four new 48' custom dive flagships scheduled for specialty
excursions.
The dive operation also offers Nitrox and a Continuing Educational Program that
offers resort courses through IDC training!
DIVING SCHEDULE: Three (3) boat dives per day and two (2) night boat dives during your week stay. The
dive shop opens at 7:30 AM and the boats normally depart at 8:30 AM. The schedule is one tank dive,
return to fill the your tank (about 15 minutes) and immediately go out for another one tank dive.
This will give you about 30 to 45 minutes surface interval. You will return to the dock from the
second dive at about 12:00 noon. The afternoon boats depart at 2:30 PM for a one tank dive
and return at approximately. 4:00 PM.
WRECK DIVES
Type: 230 ft. double deck cargo vessel
Depth: 100 to 110 feet
Skill: Intermediate to advanced
Northwest shore of Roatan, a two minute boat ride from AKR
"El Aquila" or "The Eagle" ran cargo between Puerto Cortes, Honduras and San
Andres Island. This freighter originally sank 8 years ago around the Utila Keys, Bay
Islands, Honduras. It was recently salvaged and brought to Roatan by Anthony's Key Resort and sank for the Bay Islands
dive highlight of the year. The ship is intact and is resting perfectly upright on a sandy bottom in
approximately 100' of water. Rapid coral growth is expected.
NIGHT DIVES
One tank night dives are scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday evenings.
SHORE DIVING
Shore Diving is limited to the dive shop's hours of operation which are 7:30A to 9:00P. Shore
diving is done in the lagoon in front of the dive shop where there is reef that bottoms
out at about 35 feet and an airplane wreck.
CERTIFICATIONS & DIVE EQUIPMENT:
A full range of instruction, from a resort courses to PADI or NAUI Divemaster
certification, is available. The dive shop maintains a complete inventory of rental
equipment for just about any need including: regulators, gauges, BC's, Shorty's,
fins, masks and snorkels. (Tanks, weights and weight belts are included in the package.
Dolphin Discovery Programs
AKR's Institute for Marine Sciences offers an unusual opportunity for divers and
snorkelers to interact with dolphins on the mammals' initiative. Both encounters
differ from other programs in that the dolphins are free to come and go as they
wish in an unstructured environment. There is no feeding enticement to secure
interaction with humans. The interaction is achieved by appealing to the
dolphins' natural curiosity. Divers are better able to observe the dolphins in
their natural habitat, while snorkelers have more opportunity for physical
contact. Both encounters promise to be the highlight of any trip to Roatan.
The Dolphin Discovery Camp for Children
Take your children with you on vacation and still have time for yourself.
Dolphin Discovery Camp is a week long program for children ages 8 to 14. Your
children will learn about and interact with bottlenose dolphins (Tursoips
truncatus) several times during the week. Oceanside discussions, as well as
short classroom sessions, will be the avenue to teaching the children.
Snorkeling trips and other outdoor activities will give your child a real
appreciation for the ocean marine life and our environment in general.
The Dolphin Specialty Course
The success of the college and high school dolphin curriculum, as well as our summer children's
program the Dolphin Discovery Camp, have encouraged the Roatan Institute for Marine
Sciences to offer the general public our Dolphin Specialty Course.
The Dolphin Specialty Course is a unique opportunity for participants to learn about, and
interact with the bottlenose dolphins of the Institute.
The Dolphin Dive
Divers are taken six at a time, by boat, on a five minute ride just outside the reef. They are
accompanied by a dive guide, a dolphin behaviorist and a videographer. For 45 minutes the
divers have the opportunity to observe, photograph and join in the play of the dolphins. This
takes place at depths of up to 60 feet over a white sand bottom adjacent to a shallow reef wall. Certification
Card is required of divers.
The Dolphin Snorkel
Snorkelers, no more than six at a time, may interact with dolphins off a white sand key just, a
two minute boat ride from the resort. They are accompanied by a dolphin behaviorist and a
videographer. A 15 minutes orientation are followed by the play session, which lasts 30 minutes.
While these dolphins are within a two-acre enclosure of water, there is a reserved private area,
where they may go, should they choose not to be with humans.
The Dolphin Presentation
This educational program introduces viewers to the senses and anatomy of the dolphin,
accompanied by behavioral demonstrations. Entrance into the Institute for Marine Sciences'
Educational Center and Roatan Museum is included. Reservations are not required.
All bookings for the Dolphin Dive and Dolphin Swim are done directly on-island with the
Roatan Institute for Marine Sciences. Scheduling priority is given to guests of Anthony's Key Resort.
Participants are required to attend a short orientation. Rental equipment is available.
Prices do not include 12% local tax and are subject to change without notice.
ROATAN INSTITUTE FOR MARINE SCIENCES:
RIMS is the home of several Atlantic bottle nose dolphins, and offers a variety of dolphin
discovery programs such as dolphin snorkels, dolphin dives for ages 13 and up, and dolphin discovery
summer camp for kids ages 8-14. There is a short platform session where children under the age
of 8 can get close to the dolphins and let them if they like.
PHOTO ROATAN: is considered one of the most complete photo shops in the Western Caribbean. It
is located dockside next to the snack shop. The shop provides daily E6 processing, type R
printing, equipment rentals, film and batteries. We also offer superb 'Video Productions" on an
individual or group basis. Underwater photo and video instruction is also available.
GIFT SHOP: AKR's gift shop, located near the taxi boat dock on the way to RIMS, offers a large
variety of items including clothing such as t-shirts and swimwear, leather goods, souvenirs, beach
shoes etc.
SNACK SHOP: Personal items such as suntan lotion, insect repellent, aspirin, decongestants,
ear drops, etc. can be purchased at the snack shop which is located on the docks and open
from 8:30A to 5:00P daily.
WATERSPORTS EQUIPMENT: Is located on the "key" next to the taxi boat stand. Kayaks, canoes, and windsurfers are
available for all day use. Please return them to the beach when you finish using them. If you are
unfamiliar with the equipment, just ask at the dive shop.
HORSEBACK RIDING: All tours are fully guided. Simply sign up at the front desk for the hours desired. Hitching post is
by
the main entrance across from the Institute for Diving building. All rides are guided. We
recommend wearing long pants to prevent scratching to your legs.
DEEP SEA FISHING: Deep sea fishing is now being offered by Anthony's Key Resort.
AIR TRANSPORTATION/TRANSFERS:
TACA airline offers flights to the Island of Roatan from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami,
New
Orleans or Houston on a daily basis. Continental and American Airlines provide service
into San
Pedro Sula (mainland Honduras), from where you can transfer with a local airline to
Roatan.
There is a Honduran Airport Departure Tax will be collected by the front desk clerk before your
departure. The tax changes, so ask at the front desk for the price. You will be picked up
at the airport by an AKR representative who will handle your luggage and transport you to the resort.
We
will reconfirm your airline reservations, handle your luggage from the room and transport
you to the
airport for your departure.
OTHER GENERAL INFORMATION
ISLAND TOURS: Check with the concierge desk for schedules and prices.
BEACH PICNIC: Wednesdays, we take everyone to beautiful Tabyana Beach where you can relax,
ride horseback ride, swim, play volleyball and enjoy a delicious barbecue lunch on a mile
long white sand paradise beach. Guests may be able to snorkel at the beach as well.
CHAMBER AND CLINIC: Cornerstone Recompression Chamber is on call 24 hours a day for
emergency medical services. The chamber and clinic are staffed by a doctor and 2
EMT's. Open 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM for basic medical services. A required $12.00 per week
insurance charge covers an individual for diving related illnesses requiring chamber treatment.
LOCATION: Anthony Key Resort is located on the Northwest coast of the Island of Roatan, the
largest of the Bay Islands. Roatan is about 40 miles north of the coast of Honduras in Central
America. It is 30 miles long and 4 miles wide and the highest elevation is 900 feet. The
Bay Islands are noted for one of the world's greatest chain of barrier reefs that provide the
perfect setting for spectacular scuba diving.
CAR RENTAL: Several rental companies are available on the island, inquire at the concierge
desk.
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: A valid passport is required for all persons entering Honduras. US and
Canadian citizens do not need a visa. All other nationalities must check with the nearest Honduran
consulate or embassy for visa requirements.
WEATHER: The average temperature in Roatan is 80 deg. F., with only a few days of rain
and high winds in late fall and early winter. The Trade Winds provide natural air conditioning and
humidity averages 25%.
ATTIRE: Casual attire is casual as AKR is very informal and a relaxed atmosphere prevails.
CURRENCY: US dollars are used at the Resort. Local currency is the Lempira which
currently is at about Lps.14.00 for $1.00 US. However, the exchange rate fluctuates daily.
TAXI BOATS: The water taxi is available 24 hours a day, just tap on the hanging tank for the driver
to pick you up. From 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM the security guard does the driving.
ICE MACHINES: An ice machine is located on the Key between the taxi dock and the pavilion in
the small building. Ice may also be obtained from the "Frangipani" bar or the dive
docks during business hours. You will find an ice cooler in the bungalow.
CHECK OUT/TIPPING: You will need to check-out the night before your departure. The resort
accepts traveler's checks, Mastercard, VISA or American Express. Once you check-out
any additional purchases must be paid in CASH. A wake up call will given to assure your flight
departure. Be sure to pack before going to sleep.
TIPPING: Gratuities are not included in your packages, but will be greatly appreciated by our staff.
Call or email us for a quote on your
Anthony's Key Resort vacation. MASS Diving can arrange your Air, Hotel,
and Diving!
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