Roatán is exotic. It is a western Caribbean island rich in history, cloaked mystery, and yet only a 2 1/2 hours non-stop flight from Houston or Atlanta.

While over 800,000 cruise guests are predicted this year—more than quadruple that of Costa Rica—true aficionados of the island (the ones that return year after year), know the secrets both above and below sea level.

Roatán is on every scuba diver’s bucket list. Roatán diving is spectacular and surprisingly easy. On the island’s south shore at CoCo View Resort, the extensive coral reef system grows to within a few steps from the guest’s over-the-water bungalow. There’s no better place to enjoy or start the lifelong sport of scuba.

This summer CoCo View is offering a “Kids Free” special for children 10–12 that are junior diver certified or taking a certification course and staying in the same room with parents. Older kids 13–17 are half the adult price. A 20% discount on all introductory scuba courses, for both children and adults, is being offered by onsite PADI 5 Star Dockside Dive Center.

A free, no obligation, airfare quote is available; the Roatan catalog can be seen online.

Roatan Charter, 800-282-8932, info@roatan.

com, www.roatan.com/bulletins/ccvmay2011.html, www.roatan.com