Celebrate New Year's with your dive buddies...in a villa...on a private island! Join Blue Planet as we say goodbye to 2022 and ring in the new year at Dunbar Rock in Honduras. Dive beautiful sites around Guanaja then kick back and relax by the pool, enjoying 360 degree views of Sandy Bay and the surrounding cays. This is one new year's you won't forget!
The Villa on Dunbar Rock is one of the Caribbean’s most unique All-Inclusive dive resorts. The famous pirate, Blackbeard, once used this beautiful historical landmark as a mooring site. Local legend has it that there is buried treasure on the island. When the original owner was constructing the villas, he discovered a hidden cave on the island. He found many pieces of pre-Colombian pottery. Sadly, no treasure was ever found. However, he started construction on what would soon become a new jewel in the Caribbean.
Once a private villa, the Villa on Dunbar Rock rises from the white sand beach and PADI dive center up 4 levels to areas that include 9 Ocean Front Rooms and 2 Suites, all with private patios or balconies. The 15,000 square foot property has multiple terraces for lounging, an infinity pool and pool bar, cardio/massage room, and Great Room with its comfortable living/dining area.
Guanaja
Dive sites ring the island, meaning finding a location to scuba dive in the lee of the wind is nearly always possible. In addition to the sites surrounding Guanaja, the innumerable cays that encircle the island form an ideal habitat for reef creatures and virtually every known crustacean. From tiny black-spotted nudibranchs to cave-dwelling Caribbean lobster, the reef system is ideal for macro and wide-angle photography. There are also more than 300 identified fish species in Bay Island waters. Scuba divers frequently see Angelfish, Hamlets, Butterflyfish, Creole Wrasse, Grouper, Jackfish, Moray eels, Octopus, Parrotfish, Nurse sharks, and more.
The Diving
The on-site PADI 5 Star Dive Center operates two custom dive boats: the 45’ Freedom and 40’ Endeavor each have the capacity for up to 20 divers. The boats have wide platforms for giant stride entries and sturdy ladders for exiting the water. They are provisioned with drinking water, fruit for snacking, freshwater showers, towels, camera rinse tanks, dry storage, shaded areas, and all required safety equipment.
Boat rides vary from 20 – 30 minutes for dives along the south to up to 45 minutes for dives along the northern coast. Boats generally depart at 8:30 am for the morning 2-tank dive, returning for lunch with the afternoon boat leaving a reasonable time after lunch has concluded. If we are diving the north shore of Guanaja, we will stay out for a three-tank dive and lunch will be prepared during a break between the second and third dive.
Travel
Plan to fly into Roatan, Honduras by Saturday, December 31st. From there, you can either take the ferry to Guanaja or an inter-island flight. Once on Guanaja, the staff from Dunbar Rock will meet us and take us to the island. For more details, visit the Dunbar Rock Travel Planning webpage. We will depart Dunbar Rock on Saturday, January 7th at which point you can fly home or spend more time in the Bay Islands.
Upon cancellation of a reservation for any reason, the refund of the deposit and payments made or due will be contingent upon Blue Planet reselling the participant's reservation. Any refund may also be subject to a cancellation fee of $250 and payment of any non-refundable fees imposed by the tour company, dive operator or any other contractor associated with the trip.
Dive accident insurance is required for all divers on this trip. We strongly recommend travel insurance to protect your vacation investment. Contact us if you need more information.
Each room has 2 queen beds and ensuite bathroom. Rooms #3 and #4 are located on the 4th floor, overlooking the Villa’s infinity pool. These two rooms have smaller bathrooms, but make up for it by having an expansive patio area with lounge chairs and hammocks. Guests staying in these rooms have unobstructed views of the Caribbean Sea.
Each room has 2 queen beds and ensuite bathroom. Rooms #5 – #8 are located across the courtyard from the Great Room. Room #5 and #7 are on the 3rd floor and 4th floors respectively, with balconies offering views of sunsets and Bonacca Town facing west and the lush mountainous slopes of mainland Guanaja facing north. Room #6 and #8 are also located on the 3rd floor and 4th floors respectively, offering views of the sunrise facing east and the rugged shoreline of mainland Guanaja facing north and east.
(Best for couples or 2 people who don't mind sharing a king bed!) A room with 1 king bed and ensuite bathroom. The King rooms are a bit smaller than the Queen rooms but otherwise include all of the same amenities, key of which is they all have direct oceanfront views from their balconies. Room A is located on the Villas “main level” (3rd floor) and is the closest room to the Great Room. Room B is one floor up directly above Room A. Both rooms face west, offering views of the sunset and of nearby Bonacca Town. The third Ocean Front King Room C is on the opposite side of the property. Located on the 4th floor, above the bar, this east-facing unit is one of the first rooms to welcome to morning sunshine.
(2 queen beds!) The Penthouse is a one-of-a-kind apartment with a private, totally glassed-in sitting area, with stunning vistas in all directions. You would be hard-pressed to find a room anywhere with views like this! The separate bedroom includes 2 queen beds and additional seating and a large bath area.
Fly into Roatan and then take the ferry or a local flight to Guanaja. Once there the Dunbar Rock staff will meet us and take us to the villa. Settle in and celebrate the end of 2022 and the beginning of a new year!