A trip to Cayos Cochinos in the Bay Islands of Honduras is a trip back in time.
The Cayos Cochinos or ‘Hog Islands’, consist of two small islands and eleven smaller coral cays off the north coast of Honduras and are a favorite short day trip from La Ceiba, Nueva Armenia, or Sambo Creek.
You can also visit from Utila by boat in about an hour.
The Cayos Cochinos are a protected nature reserve. To help protect the exquisite coral reefs around the islands, fishing is forbidden in surrounding waters and there is a $13 usd fee to visit in addition to the charge for transportation which goes to patrolling and protecting the reef.
The federal government declared the area a National Marine Monument Area in 2003.
For Lodging, Plantation Beach is the biggest of the few Cayos Cochinos hotels. It offers multi-night stays, scuba diving, meals, and use of sea kayaks and snorkeling equipment. They will arrange transportation from La Ceiba if you book with them.
In Utila, contact Bush’s Bay Island Charters who can help to arrange accommodation in Cayos Cochinos if you wish to stay over night. They also offer day trips.
Though there are not many hotels in Cayos Cochinos, travelers can find accommodation in the small Garifuna community of Chachauate, on one of the coral cays. Amenities are basic. Another choice in lieu of a hotel is a stay at the scientific research station on the smaller island. The dorm rooms are sometimes full of researchers and volunteers, but they often have space for independent travelers.
Travelers with their own boat can moor at Plantation Beach or in the channel between the two main islands. Anchoring near the coral reefs is strictly forbidden.
The beaches at Cayos Cochinos Honduras are as famous as the diving sites. The white sand beaches leading into the various blue hues of the Caribbean Sea are stunning.
Two other natural wonders of Cayos Cochinos that entice visitors to the area are the Pink Boa Constrictor Snake which is a smaller relative of the Boa found on the Honduran Mainland. It has been said to get its pink colour from its diet on the islands. As well, there is an endemic species of iguana locally known as the Jamo, or Jamo Black.
GETTING TO CAYOS COCHINOS FROM UTILA:
It is possible to travel by boat to Cayos Cochinos with a few of the Utila Boat Captains. Plan on about an average 1.5-2 hour ride, and you’ll want to go when the wind is not blowing too hard.
Bush’s Bay Island Charters – Located at Bush’s Supermarket in the centre of town, Kirstie and Dennie Jr. organize trips to Cayos Cochinos in their fast and comfortable boats. From their facebook page: ” …See how the local Garifuna people have lived for hundreds of years on this tiny little chain of cays. With a population of about a 120 people, it’s a small fishing village on tiny little cay. Try some of their amazingly fresh seafood dishes cooked over pure wood ovens island style. These people welcome you to their lovely little islands with open arms. There is a $13 entrance fee per person to check into the Marine park but is well worth it. All of the fees go towards protecting the waters from poachers, the islands, and the wonderful people that live there. Tour includes drinks, snacks, entrance fee, snorkel gear, safety gear, hammocks and lunch is optional. ”
They can also arrange scuba diving and fishing if desired.
Contact them by calling: +(504) 3145-7139
Or send a message on their Facebook Page
Other captains that will do the trip:
Barry and George Jackson-
Based out on the Cays- 2-408-3100. The same managers of Little Cay and Water Cay, they have 2 boats (a larger and smaller) and are seasoned veterans of the sea.
Captain Arturo –
Nice fast big boat. He is located just across the street from Utila Dive Center, behind the building that’s on the street. His home phone number is 2-425-3384.
Captain Renny-
Another veteran of the sea, with a nice big fast boat. Captain Renny is a very good man, and has nice tales of the island. Capt. Renny can be found at Bay View Hotel, in Sandy Bay, just at the intersection where you turn up to the El Castillo Restauran and the Colibri Hotel. 2-425-3114