Vacation Rentals by Owner

Great Place to stay

Guest: Bob (Moore, Idaho)
Date of Stay: 04/07/12 Review Submitted: 04/29/12

Just got back from 2 weeks at Far Totuga. There were three couples and everyone had a great time. The house had eveything we needed. Loved the location. Didn't want to be by a much of tourists. Cooked diner everyday but one. Getting fresh fish and lobster from Warren (local fisherman) no reason to go out. Snorkling right in front of the place was great. If it was windy and waves to high to snorkle just took the kayaks out and played in the waves. My sister and family came the second week we were there and they rented a house in the West end. Didn't compare. They pool was great to cool of in and have a drink. Would recommend it to everyone.Definetly need a car( 4 wheel drive prefable). Only paved road was the main road running East-West. Beware of the driving of the cab drivers and motorcycles.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers.

Arrived on 3/5/12 - Departed on 3/23/12

Guest: Howard and Linda (Waldport, Oregon)
Date of Stay: 04/03/12 Review Submitted: 04/04/12

For us, Far Tortuga was a dream come true, and a much needed respite. The villa is lovely, and well appointed; the décor an airy tropical arrangement of rattan and warm colors with a delightful sampling of local art. Windows dominate the far walls allowing an incredible view of the lush green foliage, the jeweled Carribean beyond, with mainland Honduras visible on the horizon. Villa owner, Anne was just wonderful to work with – truly more like dealing with a friend rather than someone whom I’d never met. And Villa Managers, Kevin and Claire were at our very beck and call (only a cell-phone call away). We felt very well taken care of. Far Tortuga is centrally located on the south shore of the island (a short drive to Eldon’s and the Bulk Gourmet) – southern breezes keep the mosquitoes and noseeums (aka sand flies) at bay. We thoroughly enjoyed exploring Roatan, and snorkeled some awesome reefs (including the one directly behind the house). Kayaking First Bight was fun too. On rainy days, we just relaxed and read from the villa’s collection of books - going from the comfy Great Room, to the hammocks, to the infinity pool (my husband’s favorite spot). We highly recommend Far Tortuga, and hope to return ourselves next year.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

BEAUTIFUL HOME TO SPEND QUALITY FAMILY TIME AND GREAT DIVING SITES

Guest: Rodolfoh (Guatemala City, Guatemala)
Date of Stay: 04/01/12 Review Submitted: 04/08/12

This has been our second vacation at FAR TORTUGA. Its a beautiful home to spend quality family time and very near to great diving sites. Without hesitation, we all decided to come back to this same home for our Easter Vacation. The view of the ocean is great from all areas of the house. The kitchen, the deck and the swimming pool are the center of activities at the house. One mile away is Coco View Resort, which we consider the most professional diving centers around. The diving sites around the house are the BEST! We don't care West End is 40 minutes away. We prefer a more private location away from the noise and party activity of West End. Far Tortuga is a home to relax, great diving and spend great quality time with the family. For sure, we will come back to the same home for a future vacation.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, tourists without a car.

True Paradise

Guest: Kathy L.
Date of Stay: 02/27/12 Review Submitted: 03/07/12

My husband and I stayed at Far Tortuga from Feb 27-Mar 5, 2012. As everyone has mentioned, the house is even better in person than in the pictures. Claire and Kevin (property managers) met us at the airport, helped us with our car rental and stopped for some groceries on the way to the house. They were great! Always available by a cell phone if you have any questions. The home is located about 10 minutes from town, easy to get to for groceries, etc. There are many dive companies nearby and since it is located mid island, you can easily drive the whole island. We snorkeled in front of the house which was amazing and also West Bay. Both were great. We love just relaxing at the house, enjoyed the massive decks, pool and views. You feel very seculed but also very safe and secure! Listening to the waves crashing while sleeping was so relaxing. We felt truely at home and did not want to leave! We look forward to returning one day! Thanks for a great vacation!

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Adventure in Roatan

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 01/14/12 Review Submitted: 02/08/12

Great place. very secluded. fully equiped kitchen, and a nice feel to the place. the great room/kitchen and outside decks are made for socializing. nice neighbors. a car is a must. Kevin and Claire, the property managers, will meet you at the airport and take care of anything you need. they are really nice people and a great resource for places to go and things to do. snorkeling is available right in front of the house, the night sky viewing is amazing. a vehicle is absolutely necessary.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, romantic getaway.

Great Family Getaway

Guest: Melinda (Oakland, CA)
Date of Stay: 12/18/11 Review Submitted: 03/25/12

We had an amazing trip, fabulous house and caretakers. We would highly recommend it to others. If we were heading back to that part of the world, we would absolutely return to First Bight.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Adventure in Paradise

Guest: Lynette and Larry (Ft. Bidwell, California, USA)
Date of Stay: 04/23/11 Review Submitted: 05/18/11

How does one describe Paradise? Two words,,,,,,,Far Tortuga! We spent 10 fascinating and adventurous days at this lovely home situated above the coral reefs and Caribbean sea, watching the hummingbirds and iguanas, luxuriating in the Infinity Pool, feeling the warm trade winds and enjoying the overwhelming amenities this home provides. The beautifully appointed kitchen, spacious living area with ocean view, and lanai with pool, master bedroom with sliding door providing views of the ocean, and the private, yet secure location made us never want to leave! We snorkled and kayaked both from the First Bight lagoon entrance and off the coral outcrops below the deck, in waters crystal clear and abounding with Caribbean sealife. We were almost content to just repose in the pool, sipping tropical drinks, but adventure beckoned and we toured West End and West Bay,,,,main tourist and diving areas, with quaint colorful homes and Jimmy Buffet atmosphere. Our favorite tho was the east end of Roatan, less developed and quieter, more of what the island used to be before being "discovered:. We stopped in to say hi to BJ at at her BJ's Backyard restaurant/bar in the picturesque town of Oak Ridge, chatted with friendly folks in the Garifuna village of Punta Gorda, and were enthralled with our dining experience at La Sirena (The Asylum), locally called Jimmy's, in Camp Bay. Go there! Dining on lobster and grouper on a tiny deck over the Caribbean while watching sea turtles swim below and the exquisite Honduran sunset and sipping Rum punch in the hammock was one of the best birthday I'd ever experienced!. We met wonderful folks during our Far Tortuga stay, from local islanders born on Roatan to American exPatriots and of other nationalities who now make this island their home. Be sure to visit Butch and Sherry Wade at the Bulk Gourmet in French Harbour for wonderful speciality foods & wine selections, and much, much more. Fun folks! Far Tortuga is a treasure we want to certainly return to for our next visit to Roatan. We will certainly include Scuba Diving then, as Roatan is the premier dive spot on the 2nd largest barrier reef in the world. Dive boats dropped anchor right offshore from the home on occasion, and sailboats skimmed the sea in the distance. Truly a Caribbean Paradise and beyond even the accurate listing description, Far Tortuga is the vacation home of your dreams on Roatan. Thank you Karl and Anne for making this lifestyle dream a reality for us!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Better than the pictures

Guest: Been all around the world (Oregon)
Date of Stay: 03/20/11 Review Submitted: 05/12/11

Our stay at First Bight was even better than we had expected. My husband and I, my brother and his two sons stayed in this wonderful house for a week and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The house was light and airy, the kitchen had everything we needed, the weather was perfect and we had a lovely vacation. We spent our days snorkeling, going on long drives around the island (rental car is definitely a necessity), eating great seafood and generally loafing. A local fisherman brought fresh seafood to the dock a few yards from the house. We watched vacationing divers scuba dive right off the shore at the local dive buoy, enjoyed the sunsets and the surf. The iguanas right below the house were fun to watch, and we spent much time feeding the humming birds and delighting in their antics. Kevin and Claire were perfect as our local contacts - very helpful and easily accessible. We would definitely recommend this place to just about all groups except maybe families with small children.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Perfect Vacation!

Guest: Liz (Missoula, Montana)
Date of Stay: 03/03/11 Review Submitted: 03/26/11

All of the previous reviews are dead-on. My husband and I stayed here for 10 days for our belated honeymoon. Two friends joined us for part of our stay. It was just the perfect spot. Although there are many amazing things to do in Roatan, our most enjoyable times were simply relaxing in First Bight! We snorkeled right in front of the house, used to kayaks to cruise around and do a little fly fishing, cooked fresh seafood meals every night, and relaxed by the pool and just enjoyed the scenary. Looking at the pictures on this website bring back wonderful memories, and we are counting down the days until we can return. Kevin and Claire, the property managers, were simply wonderful. They truly make traveling to another country stress-free. Kevin, Claire, and the owners go above and beyond to make sure that all of your needs are met and that your vacation is perfect. We will be back to Roatan and we will be staying here when we return.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Amazing vacation property

Guest: George and Barbara (Lion's Head Ontario Canada)
Date of Stay: 11/12/10 Review Submitted: 12/13/10

We would absolutely recommend Far Tortuga. We totally agree with everything in the reviews below. We would like to add comments re the beautiful well equipped kitchen, the original artwork, the high quality furnishings, comfortable deck furniture, comfortable mattresses and lovely bedding. We bought fresh lobster and fish right at the dock and were given instructions on how to cook it. Snorkelling right in front of the house and the beautiful infinity pool for cooling off were real assets. We also enjoyed the outdoor showers after snorkelling. There is nothing missing to make this one of the best vacation spots ever

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Diver's Paradise

Guest: Divers4Jesus (Cookeville, TN)
Date of Stay: 10/09/10 Review Submitted: 10/29/10

This was our first trip to Roatan. This house is very nice and had everything we needed. The owner was so helpful by providing information about the island, and the property managers were fantastic and made us feel very comfortable. Through prior arrangements with the owner, Fantasy Island Dive Resort provided discounts on rental gear and dive trips. You can dive at your convenience right from the shore here. The only downer was that rainy season started a little earlier than normal so our weather wasn't the best. I would go at a different time of the year next trip.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Pirates and Kings

Guest: Brewmaster Nick (pennsylvania)
Date of Stay: 03/13/10 Review Submitted: 04/23/10

One word, amazing. Everything was top notch. Kevin and Claire are the best (go emlenton and crfu!) The fact that diving and snorkeling 15' away from the porch can keep you busy when not fishing which is great on the island or just sipping flor de cana in a hammock or a salva vida pool side. The house is second to none, humming birds and iguanas hanging around are always good company. A few miles to the grocery stores close enough to get things whenever and secluded enough to feel almost like youre on a private island. We drank like pirates and ate like kings. Far tortuga was our castle.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

The Perfect Vacation

Guest: Wade, Tina, Bob & Judy (Thunder Bay, Ontario)
Date of Stay: 02/18/10 Review Submitted: 05/13/11

We are two couples who stayed at Far Tortuga for two weeks. Where to start? This was our first time in Roatan, our first time diving in Caribbean waters and our first time renting through VRBO. Any questions or concerns we had when first looking at the property were promptly answered by Anne, the owner. We were met at the airport by the property managers, Kevin & Claire, who were very helpful with the vehicle rental, grocery shopping and setting us up at the house. They respect your privacy and are only a phone call away. The house is what the pictures show and more. Our experience with renting through VRBO was everything we could have hoped for. Diving in front of the house was amazing and tanks and equipment were rented through Fantasy Island for very reasonable prices. Because of the atmosphere at Far Tortuga, we prepared and enjoyed most of our meals at the house. There is nothing like that morning cup of coffee by the pool or that afternoon cerveza in the pool. The pool was definitely an asset. Renting a vehicle is a must with staying at the house. It gave us the ability to tour the island from east to west--a drive to the West End for site seeing, Coxen Hole for shopping and true island life, a trip to the East end to Camp Bay (where we had the best Buffalo Shrimp at Camp Bay Resort) and a day at the Spa at the Sante Wellness Centre. Shopping at Eldons and The Bulk Gourmet supplied us with more than we had expected to find. We would recommend Roatan and Far Tortuga. We are looking forward to returning next year.

Owner response:Wade asked me to note that they actually stayed in 2011.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

First Trip and Many More to Come!

Guest: Amera (Michigan)
Date of Stay: 02/14/10 Review Submitted: 03/14/10

What an amazing vacation! My mother and I wanted a warm trip away from our midwest winter and we couldn't have been more blessed to have found the perfect home in paradise. The home as a whole is near the middle of the island so a perfect place to start whether going East or West (which we did) and it sits right in front of the sea and what a view and experience that was. My family and I have been renting homes around the world and within the US for years and this was by far one of the most memorable--we've never stayed so close to such gorgeous water! What others have said about the home is dead-on--very warm and comfortable and equipped with everything you'd need (including bug spray and aloe) and now a booklet with what to do in the house or on the island. See you next year!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 01/26/10 Review Submitted: 01/26/10

The house was great it was Amazing to wake with the sounds of the ocean every morning or just to watch the waves roll in while enjoying our coffee on one of the large decks. The house was as promised,great views, nice pool, spotless, lots of room with privacy between bedrooms and very well equipped. We loved the snorkeling and kayaking right in front of the house. We also want to thank Kevin and Claire they were great!! They put us at ease right away and were willing to assist us in any way to make our vacation a great one. We explored the island from one end to the other during our visit and decided we had picked the best location to stay. We would recommend zip lining at pirates of the Caribbean , snorkeling with dolphins at Anthony's key and a especially a day at the The Santé Wellness Center. For dining we would recommend Gios seafood in French harbor, Marble Hill Farms and our best meal was lunch served at the Sante Wellness Center. Roatan was great and we will be back.Thank you once again Sharlene & Wade

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Guest: Nancy,Mike, Dan & Cass (Burlington, ON)
Date of Stay: 12/30/09 Review Submitted: 12/30/09

We just returned from a family Christmas vacation week (Dec. 19-26, 2009) at Far Tortuga, First Bight. Accommodation at this beautiful villa met all our expectations. Claire & Kevin, property mgrs met us at the airport and waited patiently as we took possession of our rental car(a 4x4 is a must for the coastal roads). The villa commands an outstanding view of the Caribbean with full view of the sunset which is spectacular. We welcomed the fresh water infinity pool for days lounging on the deck or after a full day of snorkelling/diving. Cell phone was provided for our use on the island and Kevin was a phone call away for any concerns re restaurants, directions, etc. Our first few days were overcast and rainy so we seized the opportunity to travel the coastal roads. Of particular interest was the Garifuna village of Punta Gorda, Jonesville (it took some time to locate the Hole in the Wall Restaurant but well worth it), and snorkelling/diving at Pigeon Caye. We were fortunate to meet up with Larry and his Islander dive boat (ask about him at the Hole in the Wall) who took us for the day to this pristine offshore island Paradise. Highly recommend a visit to Roatan with a stay at Far Tortuga.

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Guest: The Hausers (-)
Date of Stay: 09/09/09 Review Submitted: 09/09/09

We had a very pleasant and relaxing time at Far Tortuga. Anne, the owner, was very friendly and provided us with a lot of useful information prior to our arrival, and Claire and Kevin welcomed us to Roatan and were very helpful. The House is lovely, with beautiful views and only steps away from the dock at First Bight, where you can launch the Canoe or inflatable row boat available at the house. Especially pleasant early morning or in the evening. We highly recommend bringing snorkeling gear, or renting it for $5 nearby at Turquoise Bay. You can spend many wonderful hours in the water this way - just remember to put on sun block (there's plenty in the house in case you forget...). The one thing to remember, is that you need to rent a car for your stay if you want easy access to the house and other attractions on the island. Clair and Kevin can help there as well.

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Guest: Amy & Tom (Pittsburgh, PA)
Date of Stay: 04/27/09 Review Submitted: 04/27/09

Far Tortuga was just perfect for our family of 4 boys. My sister-in-law and her 2 girls stayed in the house right next door, which was great for all involved. Kevin and Claire, the house managers, were so responsive to our needs (a doctor visit, ideas on where to go, etc) and requests. The house has a perfect set up, great amenities & fully equipped (the juicer we missed is on it's way as I write this)...open floor plan to utilize views & water breezes, couldn't get closer to the water without being in it, isolated from crowds, close enough to get to grocery store or restaurants without a haul, cell phone & internet service when needed, use of the kayak & snorkeling eqpt. Our stay in Roatan included visiting Turquoise Bay for an exciting day diving (Subway Watersports is a great dive shop there), a whale shark visit originating out of West Bay, a day trip to hang with the crowds in West End (it was the week of Santa Semana (sp?) so it was packed), & snorkeling right outside the front door of the house! On our travels throughout the island we did not hesitate to pick up hitch hikers in our little pickup & drop them whenever they knocked on the back window. One 11 yo boy even spent the day with our family in West End after picking him up in French Harbor....hard to imagine MY 11yo just hanging with strangers for the day, but it all seemed right for Roatan. A super island, friendly & easy, and a fantastic house. One activity I'd like to forget & discourage was the Iguana Park...pitiful how the animals were cooped up in too-small cages & I'm sure the entrance fee was not utilized in any conservation or educational way. Overall, a great HomeAway from Home.

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Guest: Nikki & Alan Brew (London, ON)
Date of Stay: 04/23/09 Review Submitted: 04/23/09

We stayed in this beautiful home for a week at the end of March. This was our first experience using VRBO and we would now not hesitate to book this way again. I can honestly say that this property was like a dream. The house was even larger & prettier than the pictures implied. My first impression was “Wow… is this really all ours?” It had the feel of an ultra-relaxed, ocean-front beach house. Due to the fabulous weather all week, we spent very little time indoors, the majority of our time was spent relaxing on the expansive deck… or lounging in & around the refreshing infinity pool (with the endlessly wide ocean-view!!). The home was equipped with multiple ceiling & floor fans which provided the perfect little refresher from the heat. I had been a bit worried about having no air-conditioning, but much to my surprise (between breezes through the bedroom windows & out on the deck, fans, pool, etc) I found I was really quite comfortable! You will definitely require a rental vehicle at this home, as it is a good five minute drive down a dirt road to get to & from the main road to restaurants, villages, etc. (I recommend an air-conditioned truck) And you really MUST tour around the Island – it is beautiful; so many great nooks & crannies to explore! The Property Managers, Kevin & Claire, couldn’t have made us feel more at home; they were available via cell for anything we may have needed and answered all questions we had about the area/Island… even stopped at a grocery store with us upon arrival the first night, which was very helpful indeed. We miss the beautiful & tranquil Far Tortuga so much already!!

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 04/01/09 Review Submitted: 04/22/09

Far Tortuga is an absolutely beautiful property in a great location. Very relaxing to be right on the ocean and able to overlook the waves while sitting in the pool and cooling off. The house itself has a great layout and is equipped with everything you need to feel at home and then some. The wraparound decks are wonderful to sit in the sun or just relax with a beverage, or snooze in a hammock while listening to the waves beside you. The snorkelling directly in front of the house was amazing!!! The property managers were extremely friendly and helpful. They met us at the airport, guided us directly to the house, and provided some helpful insider tips on island life and various restaurants and activities which allowed us to jump right into our vacation. Having access to a cell phone and the internet were very convenient and helped in our planning of activities for the week as well as keeping in touch with home. Roatan is paradise and we would go back to this house in a flash! Definitely give this property the highest recommendation.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 04/01/09 Review Submitted: 03/31/09

My wife, myself and another couple stayed at "Far Tortua" for 1 week in February, 2009. I wish that we had stayed longer! The house was great! It is very open with lots of deck space for lounging and enjoying the ocean view and sunsets. With the main bedrooms on opposite ends of the house, there was plenty of privacy. There is excellent wall diving and snorkeling within feet of your deck, and the kayak was great for cruising around the inlet and the open sea. The area is very quiet and all of the neighbors are friendly. Kevin and Claire were a great help and a tremendous source of information about attractions on the island. When we go back, we will definately stay here again! If you want a great place to kick back and enjoy the tropics - this is your place!

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 09/01/08 Review Submitted: 09/13/08

Anyone wanting to rent a house anywhere on the island with no doubt rent this lovely home, especially if you are divers. Right on the beach, the dive boats come daily 200 yards from the house, but does not interupt the privacy. It is a lovely home with three bedrooms, a large well equiped kitchen, fabulous verandahs visited by many hummingbirds with a infinity pool with waves lapping right below. There were constant breezes, incredible sunrises, and star watching like you can not believe. The home is centrally located on the island; convenient to everything. If the house were for sale, we would wait in line to try to own it. We can not wait to return to "Far Tortuga".

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