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The Research Center Facility
Access to this island is restricted to scientists and supporting volunteers
associated with HCRF. You will travel by speedboat from La Ceiba and arrive
at a jetty on the southern end of the island beneath a steeply rising forested
mountain.
 
Map of reserve island and research center
The research center is used for a variety of purposes. University
students and scientists monitor and evaluate plant and animal life throughout
the year. In addition, the research center serves as a base of operations for
reef monitoring, the monitoring of aggregation fish spawning sites, and other
activities related to the management of the island.
The communal dining area is set high on the mountain side with
breathtaking views of the bay and surrounding sand keys and is accessed by a
series of steps (all very well lit at night) and comprising a bar as well as
the dining area. The island is covered in forest and there are some excellent
walks to hidden and completely empty white sand beaches.
 
The dry lab and the wet lab
There is a large air-conditioned dry lab with computers and a wet lab on
the jetty with constantly pumped seawater filling a series of aquaria. There is
also a well-equipped dive centre and boats with all the necessary safety equipment
and trained personnel to run dive training and diving based projects. In case
of an emergency there is even a helicopter landing pad and a decompression chamber
on nearby Roatan Island.
 
Adjacent to the cabins and located in front of the beach is a
beautiful camping area used for scientists and volunteers related to HCRF.
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Research Center