Roatan Fishing Tournament | IX Torneo De Pesca, Municipalidad De Roatan

The Big One that didn't get away!

Video of the catch and weigh in...
Enjoy the video clip of the catch and weighing of the prize winning Blue Marlin.
A special thanks to Pasquale Paonessa at Las Rocas for the use of this footage!

»»» Click here for the story in pictures! «««
»»» Harley Davidson raffled in West End «««
»»» See the Roatan Independence Day Parade, Coxen Hole

708 lb. Blue Marlin won the West End Fishing Tournament on Roatan Island September 13, 2008 Believed to break the Central American Caribbean World Record.

Congratulations to Gary, Claudio, Pasquale, Robert, Collin and Mario!

Runner ups!
Top 3 winners of the 9th Annual Roatan Fishing Tournament rolled into West End next to the Harley Davidson to be raffled that night by the Roatan Women's Club. Winning Blue Marlins were hung for display. Literally hundreds of people were there to watch!

Bruce Starr announced the final chance to buy tickets for the Harley Davidson motorcycle raffle.

West End Village streets were packed with onlookers as the news about the Big One traveled throughout Roatan Island. Caught on an I phone, men gather to see the landing of the 708 lb. Marlin. Puck and Vince van der Weg gazed way up at the fish their dad caught!

Roatan Independence Day parades joined in the fun at the 9th Annual Fishing Tournament in West End. The French Harbor Bi Lingual School added a beautiful float and beautiful ladies to the Fishing Tournament parade. West End float with a Caribbean Sea theme won the award for the best float! French Harbor Bi LIngual School beauty queens go all out in support of the 9th Annual Roatan Fishing Tournament. The West End reigning Queen and her court won first place at this years contest at the 9th Annual Roatan Fishing Tournament. Lovely...

Lorin Starr and Susan Jensen of the Roatan Women's Club gets the big drawing ready for the Harley Davidson raffle. All proceeds go to the Little Friends Foundation that provides much needed medical care and supplies to Roatan Island. A special Thanks to everyone who participated! You can only pick ONE! Who will the winner be? Harley Davidson raffle September 14, 2008 West End, Roatan.

Roatan is one of the Bay Islands off the coast of Honduras that really knows how to celebrate their Independence Day. From marching bands, parades, floats, beauty Queens, and school performances to delicious local BBQ with potato salad, beans and rice, and their famous rice pudding! Large crowds gathered early in the morning for the Coxen Hole Parade and later in West End for the fishing tournament winners and another parade. All Central America ( Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama ) and all across the Caribbean this is "the" celebration... Lynne and Bob Millsaps

http://www.roatan.ws/ We write & photograph the Caribbean Island Roatan

Roatan Activities

Roatan dot ws Presents

Jolly Roger Cruises
The Snorkeling Adventure of a Lifetime...

Passengers of Jolly Roger cruises can indulge themselves in a variety of activities. Swim in the gorgeous blue waters of the Caribbean. Search for shells along white, sandy beaches. Relax on the deck of the Jolly Roger as you get a really great suntan. Enjoy the amenities of the Galindo Nature Adventure Park and Beach, including shopping, bird watching, hiking, exploring, swimming, snorkeling, and sunning. Don mask, fins and snorkel and be mesmerized by the beauty of life around the coral reefs of Roatan. Or just stretch out and take it all in with a cool tropical drink from our bar. Each Jolly Roger cruise is a great party with lively island music to entertain you the whole day long. With our open bar and excellent Caribbean buffet luncheon included, you'll never want to leave. Join us on one of our fun filled excursions.

The Iguana Farm is amazing, exhibiting over 3,000 Iguanas, Lobsters, Conch Fish, Terrapin and Turtles. The owner, Sherman Arch, is available to tell you about their habitats and behavior. Admission is just $5.00, and children and adults of all ages are welcome! The entrance is just past French Harbor on the right.

Horseback Riding
This is always popular and children are more than welcome on the guided tours. Prices vary from $35 - $45 depending on the length of the horseback ride and yes, you get to ride along the beach!
Keifitos does beach and jungle rides they have exceptional horses. They are located between West End and West Bay on the west end of Roatan.
Anthony's Key rides along the Sandy Bay Beach by the Gumbalimba Bird Park and through the jungle at Anthony's Key Resort.

Roatan Horses are a breed apart.

Glass Bottom Boat Tours explore the underwater world right from your airconditioned seat! Wait till you see how beautiful and relaxing it can be.

Anthony's Key Resort, home of The Roatan Marine Institute gives your children unique opportunities that will boost their confidence in snorkeling, diving, and give them a chance at commanding a dolphin jump! Look for the Dolphin Training class at AKR and the Dolphin Discovery Scuba Camp, to sign up for a once in a life time experience! Dolphin shows are daily. The Roatan Museum is also at Anthony's Key Resort. It is dedicated to the history, culture, and marine life of the Honduras Bay Islands. The Gift Shop is one of the finest on the Island of Roatan.

The Stone Castle Cameo at Gravel Bay is the place to watch the antient art of Cameo carving. Each piece is hand carved from double layered seashells with a steel burin. The intricate details will grab your attention right away. Purchasing a Cameo is an ideal gift and is an investment of lasting beauty. Come visit them past the cruise ship dock towards Flowers Bay!

The Garifuna experience! This is fun for the whole family and a fun show for the children. Dressed in native costumes, their most unusual dance expresses the unique music and its rhythm. Yubu is located at Politilly Bight, just before the entrance to the Garifuna village of Punta Gorda.

Carambola Botanical Gardens claims to have a "chocolate tree", and you can climb the summit of Carambola Moutain ! Play along the hidden hiking trails of the garden and look for wildlife and birds.

Roatan's Butterfly Garden shows off 20 different species of very colorful butterflies as they live around lush exotic plants, and fruit trees.

Coral Cay Marine and Nature Park is the most enthusiastic attraction in Roatan. A place to go for the whole day! Visit the Critter Touch Tank, take a guided snorkel trail that allows you to experience the unique ecosystem at Coral Cay. See baby turtles, small nurse sharks, and spotted eagle rays in their natural environment! Watch sea turtles, sharks, etc. swim in the natural lagoon, protected just for them. This nature preserve is one you actually experience, rather than just look at. Choose from a variety of Roatan Family Packages that include activities such as volleyball ,snorkeling, diving, kayaking, white sand beaches, and a ship wreck! Amenities include restaurants, gift shop, beach chair, lockers, bathrooms with shower heads, floats etc. Special events are held year round. Coral Cay is past Coxen Hole towards French Harbor.

Gumbalimba Park is a one-day destination. Where you play with monkeys and parrots, tour the history of the island within a cave, ride a zip line through the jungle canopy, explore the wildlife, take a horseback ride, eat at a fine restaurant, and just hang out in a hammock or lounge chair on the beach!

Enjoy A Variety of Water Sports while in Roatan. The Western Barrier Reef creates a spectacular "reef to shore" setting for safe, fun, water sports. Kayaking, sail boarding, parasailing, individual motor boating, sailing etc. Explore the mangroves, find lagoons, land on Cays, watch turtles, orca whales, and dolphins! The waters of the Caribbean are yours to explore!

The Roatan Canopy Tours in West Bay and French Harbor are an adventure the whole family will enjoy! The Canopy in West Bay has 11 platforms throughout the guided tour. Glide away down the mountain top straight to a sand beach. After you get there pick up your snorkel gear and head right on to a relaxing day at the BEACH at Tabyana Beach or Half Moon.

Presented by: Roatan dot ws