Roatán is part of the Bay Islands and a snorkeler’s paradise. The reefs that skirt its archipelago boast the highest diversity of corals in the Caribbean. Its botanical and butterfly gardens host an astonishing array of tropical plants and multihued winged creatures. More than a tropical playground, the Bay Islands have a rich history of Spanish, British and French presence, as all of them vied for land with the indigenous Caribs. Over the decades, settlers from around the world put down roots in this island paradise and established a successful fruit trade industry.