Fantasy Island Beach Resort, Dive & Marina
Family-friendly resort in Honduras.
Amenities
Traveler Insights(389 discussions)
Fantasy Island earns its name from a diving perspective. Perched on its own 21-acre private island off Roatan's southern coast, the resort sits on the doorstep of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef — the second largest on earth — and its PADI dive center runs three departures daily to world-class sites most dive travelers would build an entire trip around. Sites like Newman's Wall, Forty Foot Point, and the Prince Albert shipwreck are accessible within minutes of the resort's purpose-built dive boats. For serious divers, this is the reason to be here, and the infrastructure supports it: four 42-foot boats, a full PADI course program from open water to divemaster, and night dives three times a week. Non-divers have horseback riding, zip-lining, kayaking, and snorkeling right off the beach to keep busy.
The resort experience outside of diving is more mixed. Rooms range from pleasant and comfortable to clearly in need of attention depending on your assignment, and the buffet at Las Palmas is best described as acceptable rather than impressive. The swim-up bar and beachside La Palapa bar are genuine highlights that elevate the pool and beach time considerably. The isolation that comes with a private island location is a feature or a bug depending on your personality — there is nowhere to walk to, no town, no street food, no local scene beyond what the resort provides. Honduras is also one of the more affordable dive destinations in the hemisphere, which means the all-inclusive pricing here is significantly lower than you'd pay for equivalent dive access in the Cayman Islands or Cozumel.
This resort is built for divers and snorkelers who prioritize reef access and dive infrastructure over resort polish. If your trip is organized around underwater experiences and you care more about what's below the surface than the quality of the dinner buffet, Fantasy Island delivers at a price point that's hard to argue with. Travelers who expect a pristine, consistent all-inclusive experience comparable to a Mexican or Dominican chain property will likely be disappointed. The reef is world-class; the resort is charmingly rustic at best and overdue for renovation at worst.
Pros
- +Situated on a 21-acre private island off Roatan's coast with three separate white-sand beaches, giving guests a genuine sense of island seclusion rather than a stretch of resort waterfront
- +World-class diving with a PADI-certified dive center, four purpose-built 42-foot dive boats, and access to the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef — the second largest barrier reef on earth and universally rated among the world's best dive destinations
- +Multiple iconic dive sites are within minutes of the resort, including Forty Foot Point, Newman's Wall, Valley of the Kings, and the Prince Albert shipwreck
- +Three daily dive departures plus night dives three evenings per week make this one of the most dive-accessible resorts in the Caribbean
- +Swim-up bar at the main pool area plus a lobby bar and La Palapa beachside bar give guests multiple drinking spots without having to go far
- +All-inclusive pricing in Honduras means per-night rates are significantly lower than comparable dive resorts in Cozumel, Cayman, or the Turks and Caicos
- +Snorkeling directly off the resort's beach drops guests onto live reef immediately — the reef condition here is genuinely excellent and marine life density is high
- +Activities beyond diving include horseback riding, zip-lining, kayaking, and eco-tours, making it workable for non-divers traveling with dive-focused partners
Cons
- −Room quality and maintenance are inconsistent — some travelers describe rooms as comfortable and well-kept, while others report leaks, aging fixtures, and cleanliness issues that suggest the property is not uniformly maintained
- −WiFi is only reliable in common areas; in-room connectivity is described as weak to nonexistent in a meaningful portion of guest stays
- −The resort occupies a private island location that is convenient for diving but creates real isolation — there is no walking anywhere off-property, and anything beyond the resort requires a boat or arranged transfer
- −The main Las Palmas restaurant serves a buffet that travelers describe as functional but uninspired — fine for a diving week but disappointing if food quality is a priority
- −Some areas of the property appear worn and underinvested, with dated architectural touches and maintenance gaps that contrast with the marketing photography
- −Getting to the resort from the Roatan airport takes about 30-40 minutes including a boat transfer, which can be a logistical hassle, especially with dive gear
- −The all-inclusive offering is more limited than comparable resorts in Mexico or the Dominican Republic — some beverage and dining options require additional charges
- −Staff communication and multilingual support has drawn complaints in recent reviews, particularly at check-in for guests whose primary language is not English or Spanish
Common Questions
Google Rating
Google Reviews
“Reserved a day pass and while on a cruise stop in Roatan. The island was amazing with tranquil views and plenty to do. Service was incredible, food was very tasty. Wilson took care of the drinks for me. It’s a great place for any demographic. Simply...”