Plantation Beach Resort (tel. 504/442-0974, U.S. tel. 800/346-6116, www.plantationbeachresort.com, US$957 pp/week for divers, US$806 pp/week for nondivers) is located on the privately owned Cayo Grande. The hotel’s mahogany and stone cottages with decks and hammocks are tucked into a small valley on the site of a former pineapple plantation. PADI certification courses are available. Those looking for some hiking to complement their diving will find numerous trails over the 140-meter peak or around the shore to the north side, where there is a lighthouse and a small village.

Rates include all meals, the use of kayaks and snorkel equipment, and, for divers, three boat dives a day, unlimited shore diving, tanks, weights, and belts. Nightly rates are US$116 per person, US$20 more for divers, and the resort accepts cash, travelers checks, or Visa.

The dive shop Dive in Caribik, based at the Hotel Palma Real, has also opened up business on one of the smaller cays, “Isla Paradiso,” and built the Eurohonduras Guest House (tel. 504/3373-8620, www.dive-in-caribik.com, US$80 pp/night, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner). The hotel can also arrange transportation to the tiny island from La Ceiba for another US$60–80, making it logical to spend at least a couple of nights on your own piece of paradise.