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Sunnyside Bungalow 1 · Best snorkeling/diving on island 70yds off dock

Photo gallery for Sunnyside Bungalow 1 · Best snorkeling/diving on island 70yds off dock

On the beach
On the beach
Exterior
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Terrace/patio

Reviews

9.2 out of 10

Wonderful

Entire home

1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 4

Popular amenities

  • Beach view
  • Parking available
  • Breakfast available
  • Washer
  • Pet friendly
  • Barbecue grill

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Sunnyside Bungalow 1 · Best snorkeling/diving on island 70yds off dock

Some of the best snorkeling and diving in the island is located about 70 yard off the end of the dock. Starfish, turtles, hundreds of species of tropical fish.

Located in front of spooky channel this location allows guests an exceptional snorkeling and diving experience with access inside and Outside the reef.

We chose this location for it's location and access to one of the best diving and snorkeling locations on the island, proximity to the airport, grocery store, West End and West Bay.

Mayan Princess UPDATE:

Our guests have access to the Mayan Princess resort during the weekdays Mondays to Thursdays with no prior reservation made. However, if you would like access during the weekends (Fridays to Sunday), you would need to make a reservation with our Concierge at least 24 hours prior.

The resort has a maximum capacity of admittance, hence, your reservation can either be accepted or rejected.

Completely upgraded in 2017 this beach bungalow about 40 yards from the Caribbean Sea features filtered ocean views through lush landscaping/

The bedroom features a 42" TV and each room has separately controlled AC units. Open floor plan. Stainless steel oven, stove, dishwasher, and microwave.

Outdoor shower, perfect to rinse off after snorkeling or diving one of the most famous dive sites on the island.
Watch the sunset from the dual level 400' dock.

Please read the captions below all of the photos, they should answer any questions that you may have.

While we love West Bay for its beach, it gets quit busy when cruise ships are in, our guests can utilize our complimentary wrist bands to the Mayan Princess resort to spend days in the pool or at West Bay Beach but enjoy the peace and quit when of Sunnyside when cruise ships are in.

We do not kill the sea grass at it is home and nourishment to sea life. As a result, the swimming at your home is off the end of the dock and it's not ideal to enter off the beach because of the sea grass.

What do our guests have to say, "Cozy cottage neatly situated very close to the beach (with ocean view), yet with good privacy. Lots of shady areas on the porch - ideal after a day snorkeling, on the beach, or on the dock enjoying great company or the beautiful sunset. One private bedroom, a living room that can turn to a second bedroom, and there is even room for an inflatable mattress to be fitted . AC very effective!"

This is a small bungalow, most appropriate for an adult couple. The maximum occupancy is 4 guests, can work for an adult couple and up to two small kids. It's not appropriate for 4 adults or even 2 adults and 2 older children. It's on the smaller side.

Kayak and paddle boards

Notify our concierge Vanessa and she will arrange to have Kayak's and paddle boards delivered to the house.

Kayak rental- $150 week, they will deliver to the house

Paddle board rental- $150/week or $75 for three days or less for blow up paddle boards, surprisingly nice, lighter and easier to maneuver/carry

Prices vary for hard top paddle board rental, please inquire.

We are on a well system for water, we provide purified water for drinking. For hand washing and showering the well water comes from the taps. It's filtered, however, because it's well water it can have a sulfur smell to it in addition it can cause staining of the toilets, showers.

The home is not in a main touristy area, it's in a neighborhood called Sunnyside made up of about 20 homes all on larger one acre plus lots. This can make it feel a bit isolated as opposed to more touristy areas like West End and West Bay and people walk by on the beach, though there's not much traffic, if this will make you feel uncomfortable we recommend reserving a property in West Bay.

Pets are subject to the owners' approval, and additional fees may apply. Please provide the pet's age, weight, and breed, and we will let you know if approved and additional pet fees when applicable. No Cats Allowed

Absolutely no smoking. Smoking fines start at $500

If you smoke fine is $500, if smoking bothers other guests you will be responsible for any compensation to other guests.

FAQ

1. It is pretty quiet there at the house?

Yes, we chose this home because of its close proximity to the airport (circa 7 minutes), grocery store (circa 5 minutes, West End (circa 5 minutes, and West Bay (circa 15 minutes), yet it's large lot and fantastic reef, without all of the tourist/cruise ship crowds of West End and West Bay.

2. Not too busy with people accessing the beach area?

Not at all. Though if you are looking for swimming off the beach it's not ideal. We don't kill the sea grass like they do in West End/ West Bay. This area is ideal if you are looking for great snorkeling and swimming this home is right in front of one of the best snorkel and dive spots on the island. Spooky channel, circa 50 yards off the end of the dock.

3. What's the best way to get around town?

We have the names and numbers of a handful of drivers. Typically we just walk to the road, circa 3 minute walk and catch a taxi. I rarely rent a car when I'm on the island, however, we have plenty of parking if you rent one.

4. We will be mainly there swimming at the house, but we may want to take a day to explore the island a bit. Is it worth getting a car?

I would get a driver and possibly a guide, a number of our guests have worked with Rudolph and the cost is reasonable.

5. Do they have motorcycle rentals?

Yes, but I wouldn't recommend them. Island driving/driving in an unfamiliar area can be dangerous, particularly on a motorcycle.


6) . What is the weather like in August?

Month High / Low(°F)

January 82° / 71°

February 84° / 72°

March 85° / 74°

April 87° / 76°

May 88° / 77°

June 89° / 78°

July 88° / 77°

August 89° / 77°

September 89° / 78°

October 87° / 75°

November 84° / 73°

December 83° / 72°

7. I'm assuming it's great snorkeling right off the dock?

Yes, about 50 yards off the end of the dock is some of the best snorkeling and diving on the island. I typically tether a blow up paddleboard to my ankle and paddle out, one can snorkel for hours, hop up on the board to rest. The paddleboard also makes you more visible. There are areas with spits of stand, starfish etc. like a huge swimming pool.

8. Do we bring our own gear or can we rent some?

While there is gear at the home you can use it comes and goes, I always bring my own.

9. Any suggested airlines to fly into Roatan?

I typically fly Avianca out of Los Angeles through El Salvador, red eye, get in around 9 in the morning and have the cooks come and cook for us the first day, enjoy the reef, and unwind. But there are a number of major airlines that fly directly into Roatan.

10. We are on a well system for water, we provide filtered water for drinking. For hand washing and showering the well water comes from the taps. It's filtered, however, because it's well water it can have a sulfer smell to it. In addition, it stains the faucts, showers, etc.. This is not grounds for cancellation. While these areas can be stained, they are thoroughly cleaned. The stains cannot be removed without harsh chemicals that ruin these items. If this is an issue for your please reserve a different home.

11. If this is your first trip to the island, you may want to consider the main tourist hubs of West End and West Bay. While we love this property for it's proximity to these areas without all of the tourists and for the fantastic reef right in front. The location combined with the well water would not be considered 5-star by western standards. If that is what you are looking for this is not the right home for you. My family, wife, 4 kids and I love this home but it's not right for everyone.

12. Salt water/air is corrosive, things show signs of wear and tear more quickly. We regularly address wear and tear, but we respect the environment and do not throw away functional tools or functioning equipment because of cosmetic damage, if that will bother you please do not book this property. Wear and tear or cosmetic damage caused by corrosion will not be grounds for cancellation or refund.

13. We provide drinking water, the rest of the water is well water and can cause faucets and fixtures to show signs of corrosion, we do not replace functioning fixtures or faucets because of signs of corrosion. They are not grounds for cancellation or refund, please do not reserve this property if that's an issue. We take pride in our properties, and if there are any issues, we kindly ask that you notify us and provide a fair opportunity to address them. If that's not acceptable please do not reserve this property.

14. Pets are subject to owner approval and may or may not be approved. If they are approved a pet fee applies. Please inquire with breed, age, and weight of your pet prior to booking. No Cats Allowed.

Property manager

Everyday Luxury Inc.

Languages

English

Property amenities

Beach

  • On the beach

Internet

  • WiFi available

Parking and transportation

  • Onsite parking
  • Limo/town car service
  • Car available

Kitchen

  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Spices
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware/dishes/utensils

Dining

  • Breakfast available for a fee

Bedrooms

  • 1 bedroom
  • Sofa bed

Bathrooms

  • 1 bathroom
  • Shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • TV with cable/satellite service

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden

Laundry

  • Washing machine and dryer

Comfort

  • Air conditioning

Pets

  • Pet friendly

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Concierge services
  • Housekeeping (on request)
  • Chef
  • Iron/ironing board

Things to do

  • Snorkeling nearby
  • Scuba diving nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Swimming nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector installed (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector installed (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher

Similar properties

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

Property is also known as

Vrbo Property
450117

About the neighborhood

Map
Roatan, Bay Islands

What's nearby

  • Roatan Institute for Marine Sciences - 13 min walk - 1.1 km
  • Roatan Museum - 2 min drive - 2.1 km
  • Sandy Bay Beach - 9 min drive - 2.3 km
  • Half Moon Bay Beach - 13 min drive - 5.6 km
  • West Bay Beach - 24 min drive - 10.7 km

Getting around

  • Roatán Intl. Airport (RTB) - 17 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Crazy Pinapple - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Jungle Top Restaurant - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Mayak Chocolate - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Flowers Bay Social Club - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪The Beach House Roatan - ‬6 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Sunnyside Bungalow 1 · Best snorkeling/diving on island 70yds off dock pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Sunnyside Bungalow 1 · Best snorkeling/diving on island 70yds off dock?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Sunnyside Bungalow 1 · Best snorkeling/diving on island 70yds off dock?

Check-out is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Sunnyside Bungalow 1 · Best snorkeling/diving on island 70yds off dock located?

Nestled on the beach, this Roatan vacation home is within 1 mi (2 km) of Roatan Institute for Marine Sciences, Carambola Botanical Gardens, and Roatan Museum. Sandy Bay Beach is 1.4 mi (2.2 km) away.

Sunnyside Bungalow 1 · Best snorkeling/diving on island 70yds off dock Reviews

Reviews

9.2

Wonderful

Rating 10 - Excellent. 12 out of 17 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 17 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 17 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 17 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 17 reviews" "

7.4/10

Cleanliness

8.0/10

Amenities

2.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

4/10 Poor

Jin

Traveled with family
Liked: Amenities
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
The dock near property was great and one could really view the reef and ocean; it even has two layers so residents can sit in the shade and watch the breakers hit the reef, watch fish & rays swim by. We traveled over most of the island and enjoyed and explored much of what was there to enjoy (rented a car). We did use the Mayan Princess property for free, as noted in property description. However, we booked through VRBO and there is at least one picture that shows the bungalow being on the beach; it is NOT on the beach but back in the dark forest. The pictures are deceiving and we wouldn't have stayed there if we'd known this house is in the woods. The bungalow is in need of serious maintenance and cleaning. Bathroom was disgusting with moldy smell, spiders on ceiling, poor water flow and crusted faucet. Kitchen is wearing out with faucet literally loose and falling off, and granite stained and separating. Air conditioner is loud and every 15 min. or so sounds like a loud motorboat. Front door leaked air and didn't close properly and mosquitos, ants and beetles entered the house. Grill on the porch was rusted away and looked disgusting. Front porch was too buggy with tons of mosquitos so we rarely used. Property manager was fussy and rude and jawed at us for not knowing how to use and alarm or lock/unlock a safe. Locking everything up all the time was a major pain. There were two thefts observed on the nearby beach in 2 days while we were there. Stay elsewhere!
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

Krista K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Cozy and quiet with a excellent beach access
We enjoyed the entire experience staying at Sunnyside Bungalow. Right from the start excellent communication . We appreciated informative welcome email ,easy check in and check out process. Vanessa was so friendly and accommodating she was always just a text away. The Bungalow was clean and had everything we needed including a washer and dryer which was very helpful as we had been traveling a week prior to this check in. Comfortable bed,fantastic deck with a BBQ and just steps to the beach .The rental company offers lots of options to enhance your vacation experience all you need to do it ask. We can't wait to stay again.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2022

10/10 Excellent

Angie H., SAUK CENTRE

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing!
Cute little bungalow. The snorkeling was the best we've had anywhere. We enjoyed every minute.
Stayed 9 nights in Feb 2022

10/10 Excellent

gina d.

Peace and Tranquility
Great stay. Well appointed. Tucked away from main tourism but not too far. Snorkeling was beautiful. A bit of swimming out to reef for sure , SUP or Kayak rentals a plus, nice all around dock though easy for beginners kids etc...Amazing sunsets. Love the Island.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2019

8/10 Good

Ken B., Atlanta Georgia USA

Great vacation
The property is represented, both in pictures and narrative, properly. The location of the house is very good. We spent a number of days exploring the reef which is about 100 yards off the pier. The snorkeling in that part of the reef was awesome. While there were a couple issues with the house when we first arrived, Vanessa took care of them quickly. We enjoyed our vacation and the property very much.
Stayed 10 nights in Dec 2018

6/10 Okay

Verified traveler

Not bad for 2 guests
This unit was priced fair compared to the rest of the units on VRBO for Roatan.Im not saying it was a great deal, just fair. However its not really set up for 4 people . The futon is very small and uncomfortable . Although TV is not that important , it is in the bedroom without any couch or chairs .So if a family of four (two adults two teenagers)want to watch a Movie ,you will have to all lay on the bed together .Some of the kitchen ware was worn out and not usable at all . May as well been thrown away.Over all i would not rent this unit again for a family of four .

8/10 Good

Michelle

Feb 2018
We stayed for a week, and so we were provided transportation from the airport and back, which included a stop at Eldons and all went smooth. The cottage is nice and it has everything you ever would need. Bed was super comfortable but could use new pillows. Very nice low key stay, super easy to go to end of road and catch a cab. Vanessa was a very helpful contact and did a great job, but know she does not live on site. Super easy to get to the end of the dock and jump off to swim or snorkel. Amazing snorkeling right off the dock, and dive boats frequently stop as it seems to be one of the covetted areas to dive and snorkel. Easy walk down the beach to a couple restaurants. Stop at El Paso, Jolly octopus is trying but you may not get the drink you ordered but it will still be good. The cottage stayed plenty cool through the day, and we found we used the air less and less. Great mornings and nights on the porch. A vegetable truck swung by and we were able to buy right there! I guess there is a fish truck too. Asked Vanessa for another jug of water, $2 and its delivered to the door. Only down side was the owners of Coconut Cottage( next door) were working on the building every morning starting at 8. Shevy was very responsive and well liked on the island. He talks about doing a tour of the island the first couple days you are there, we did this and Rudolph was very funny and very informative. Its a good idea if you have never been.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2018

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth M.

Dive trip.
We loved the cottage. Venessa met us there and walk us through everything. It was very clean and had everything we needed. It was in a perfect location. We have already started planning next years trip.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2018

8/10 Good

Graham W., Ancaster

A lovely little cottage, just back from the beach, in a very quiet and beautiful location.
A lovely little cottage, just back from the beach, in a very quiet and beautiful location. Everything was good for us, the place was clean, the bathroom and kitchen had everything we needed, the garden is well cared for and the front deck is a nice place to spend time in the hammock. It was nice to have air-con so we could escape the humidity in the evenings. The rest of the time we just used the ceiling fans to keep cool. The dock is great and reached right out into the ocean. It's still a bit of a swim out to the reef, over some deep water, but once you get to the reef it's very worthwhile. There are lots of fish to see and the coral is in good condition. The internet connection cut out a few times, but I suspect this has more to do with the service provider than the cottage itself. The toilet needs to be fixed properly to the floor (it wobbled) and the basin didn't drain properly, but this just needs some maintenance and didn't spoil our stay in the place. Vanessa was helpful and friendly. Overall, we loved our stay in Sunnyside Beach Cottage and would like to return in the future.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2018

10/10 Excellent

Chris B., Syracuse, NY

Cute cottage by the beach.
My wife and I had a great stay in the guest house. It is a small but comfortable (for 2) updated cottage. Although it sits behind the main house and another beachfront property, it is just a few steps from the beach. We cooked one to two meals per day in the modern kitchen, and we lived on the comfortable porch at night. As you can see in photos, the home grants access to a long dock which gets you out to where the water is 5 feet deep. From the end of the dock you are about 20 yards from the boat channel and 50 yards from amazing snorkeling on the reef! The house and property were clean and well maintained. We stayed for a week and relied on the transportation the owners provided to and from RTB, which was seamless. There were chairs, a grill, large cooler, snorkels, and some inflatable floatation devices that you could use, though we mostly relied on the things we brought with us. The owners also provide guests with a large information packet that is very useful for getting the lay of the land. I recommend you get in touch with them via email a few weeks before you depart to confirm trip details and open lines of communications in case something were to go awry (though everything was fine for us). My wife and I have spent a lot of vacation time in the Caribbean (on St. Thomas, St. John, Puerto Rico, Vieques, and several Bahamian out islands) and felt that Roatan was very welcoming and easy to vacation on. There is clearly some poverty and some poor infrastructure on island, but Roatan also has many modern conveniences including excellent supermarkets and good internet. ALL of the restaurants were very good if not excellent, from local street cooks right up to the amazing sushi just a short walk from the cottage. The taxi system is simple to use and very reasonable for short trips on the carreteria principal: just walk to the road and flag down a white sedan with yellow number plate on the side (I recommend asking the driver to quote you the fare before you get in the car). Overall, this place was comfortable, new, and easy to stay at. It made for an excellent trip that we hope to make again some day soon!
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2017

10/10 Excellent

Shevy A.

Great location, beautiful reef a short swim off the dock, paradise!
To be fair this is my bungalow, our home was rented so I stayed there with my wife and four kids. We re-built it with the idea that it would be comfortable for a maximum of four guests. It was surprisingly comfortable for the 6 of us, we are going back the end of June and spending a few days in the Bungalow and the rest in the home we own.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2017

10/10 Excellent

Khary E., Ladera Ranch (Orange County)

Great Tropical Getaway!!
We took kids here and had a blast staying at this house! The location was perfect and we loved having access to the beach and snorkeling right off the dock at spooky channel. Thanks for all the great excursion ideas as well! The property manager and owners were very responsive the few times we needed them and very helpful with helping us set up in house cooks a few nights during the week as well as transportation to and from the airport and connecting us with David for transportation throughout the week! We did wish there weren't so many keys to the doors and dock, but it ultimately wasn't that big of a deal. We might be booking another trip later this summer and would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2017