Spring is in full swing, and only one thing is on my mind: where to go on vacation.
After a noisy and bustling big city, I want to go literally to the end of the world, where there is no mobile connection, the Internet, and, most importantly, other people.
No, I am not an introvert;
I am just tired of all the problems and work.
I dream of solitude, so that the whole world will belong to me alone.
I will get acquainted with the list of the most fabulous, secluded, picturesque islands where I can feel like a real Robinson.
After I did my research, I found some paradise islands off the coast of Honduras.
Many people mention Cayos Cochinos, Hog Islands,Utila, Bay…
What is so special about them?
The two Hog Islands are off the coast of Honduras and belong to the Insular Division of the Gulf, a developed group of islands, of which Roatan is the largest.
Away from the nightlife and busy beaches of Roatan, I would like to head to the Hog Islands.
Because I am looking for peace, isolation always reigns.
What is the Story Behind Hog Island?
Few people know that the islands of Roatan, Utila, Bay, and Hog were once the domain of five thousand thugs, bandits, and pirates, including Henry Morgan Blackbeard.
Some still believe in the story that on Hog Island, treasure with gold isho hidden by pirates.
The legend has a real basis.
In the XVII–XVII centuries, English, French, and Dutch pirates were active in the Caribbean.
They repeatedly raided the northern coast of Honduras.
According to one version, filibusters could hide treasures in caves on the island of Hog.
It was here that sea bandits in the 17th century replenished their water and food supplies and also repaired ships.
What is Hog Island Known For?
These days, however, the Bay and Hog Islands are better known for their beaches, diving areas, and tropical vegetation.
Hiding from civilization is more than easy here.
For example, on the Hog Islands, there are 13 coral patches of land where there is only one hotel surrounded by a sapphire-colored sea.
Usually, the islands off the coast of Honduras are a real paradise for lovers of rum and treasure.
The main local treasure is, of course, nature.
Does Hog Island have hogs?
No, there are no hogs, but there are boas with a calm temperament and interesting coloration.
The size of them is no more than 10 feet.
The color is lighter than that of other boas;
the tone is paler;
the color is characterized by specks;
and the tail is slightly darker.
Do People Live on Hog Island?
Only tourists and hotel staff live on Hog Island (by the way, there is only one hotel on Hog Island).
The island is isolated.
This hotel on Hog Island is the only one in the entire archipelago, but you can pitch a tent on any uninhabited part of the islands.
Who Owns Hog Island, or is Hog Island Private?
Hog Island is not a private island.
It belongs to Honduras, a small country in Central America.
The official name is the Republic of Honduras.
It borders Nicaragua, Guatemala, and El Salvador.
It is washed by the waters of the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean.
On August 17, 1502, Christopher Columbus declared Honduras the property of Spain, whose rule lasted more than 300 years.
How Big is Hog Island?
494 acres only.
The Hog Islands consist of two islands and 13 additional reefs located north of Honduras.
These remote locations are also known as the Hog Islands.
Top Reasons to Go to Hog Island
This island is a national park, so it does not suffer from human activities.
There are good beaches almost everywhere, and most of them are completely deserted, also due to poor transport accessibility.
Approximately 90 percent of Hog Island is protected to some extent as a national forest reserve or marine park.
If you are planning a trip, this is great news because you will be able to see the beautiful area without being distracted.
There are cities on the island, but there are no settlements on the island.
Most visitors come for the spectacular diving that is created by the developed coral reefs and shipwrecks that cause even more underwater interest.
How Do I Get to Hog Island?
The Bay and Hog Islands are off the coast of Honduras and belong to a group of islands, of which Roatan is the largest.
Therefore, you first need to fly to Roatan International Airport (RTB) or La Ceiba Airport (LCE).
Then there is only one way—to take a boat to the islands of Bay and Hog Island.
Many travel companies in La Ceiba and Roatan Island offer day trips to Hog Island that include a visit to one or more of the islands.
Best Activities on Hog Island
Cayos Cochinos, or Cochino Cayes, consist of two islands and 13 additional reefs located north of Honduras.
These remote locations, also known as the Hog Islands, are accessible by motorized canoes.
Don’t come here if you’re looking for spa treatments or shopping malls, because the biggest attraction here is nature itself.
As part of a larger marine reserve, Cayos Cochinos is primarily visited by those interested in outdoor adventure, sightseeing, and natural beauty.
The coral reefs are impressive thanks to the ban on anchoring and commercial fishing, so diving and snorkeling are popular activities here.
These islands in Honduras are also one of the few places in the world where even pink boas can be seen in the wild.
I am sure that exploring the coral reefs of a Caribbean paradise in the Bay Islands (Utila, Roatan, Guanaja, and the Hog Islands) will be an exceptional adventure for my vacation!
Interesting Facts About Hog Island
In 1502, Christopher Columbus himself landed here.
According to one of the legends, it was he who gave this area its funny name: in Spanish, honduras (“onduras”) means “depths,” and he claimed that all the island, including Hog Island, belonged to Spain.
Many people visit Hog Island while on vacation on neighboring islands in order to buy jewelry, which is surprisingly cheap here.
Some still believe in the story that on Hog Island there is gold robbed by the famous pirate, whose fate formed the basis of Stevenson’s Treasure Island.
Due to the small population of the country, a huge number of wild animals live on the territory of Hog Island.
There are both common and rare species in Central America: bears, various types of deer, monkeys, wild pigs, and peccaries;
tapirs, badgers, coyotes;
wolves, foxes;
jaguars, cougars, lynxes, ocelots;
a rare black panther;
alligators, crocodiles, iguanas, and snakes, including deadly poisonous ones;
When Should I Come to Hog Island?
I will come to the Hog Islands during a dry period from February to September;
otherwise, you can be stuck in rainy and stormy weather.
The country has warm weather throughout the year, seasonal temperature changes are negligible.
The only thing to consider when traveling to the Republic of Honduras is the rainy seasons.
In the central regions, tropical showers are observed from October to May and on the Pacific coast from September to January.
I should bring sunscreen, hats, insect repellent.
Mosquitoes, which are carriers of dangerous infections, are found throughout the country.
They are especially common in areas adjacent to the Caribbean coast.
Safety Considerations for Hog Island
Hog Island is relatively safe to visit, although it is fraught with many dangers.
You should be aware that tourist spots, public transportation, and some streets are where the most theft and pickpocketing occurs, and that violent crime also occurs on the beaches.
The most common form of crime is petty theft, pickpocketing, and purse theft, which is a constant occurrence on the beach or dark streets.
This obviously means that you should keep your valuables in a hidden place and not go out with jewelry and flashy items.
Each country, each region, and even the smallest island like Hog are beautiful in their own way.
There are still thousands of places on the planet that never cease to amaze me.
They absorbed all the best that is in the culture and traditions of the locals.
I think that my vacation to Hog Island will change my worldview, my internal state, and open new horizons.
