Roatán

Roatán, town, northern Honduras, on the southwestern coast of Roatán, largest of the Bay Islands; it is known locally as Coxen’s Hole.

Remains of 17th-century pirates’ fortifications can still be seen; it was from Roatán that the filibuster William Walker set sail on his third and last voyage from the United States to Central America in 1860. Roatán is now the island’s principal commercial centre; there are shipyards and fish, fruit, and meat canneries. Coconuts are a main export. In the 1970s tourism was added to the local industries. Ferry and air services link Roatán to the mainland and to neighbouring Guanaja Island. Pop. (2001) 6,502; (2013) 12,358.