photo of the day

Local kids fishing off the rocks at dusk.

photo of the day

A view of Picacho Peak from the main deck at Paya Bay. Picacho is the highest peak on the island. A hike to the summit is an activity we offer.

launching soon!

Very shortly, Dad will be launching the new 45-foot pleasure boat. The boat will allow Paya Bay to offer day trips to nearby islands and cays, whale shark watching and interaction expeditions, scuba and/or snorkeling trips to remote reefs, and sunset cruises. What a great new toy to enhance the vacation experience of our guests!


Two powerful Volvo engines.


At 9 feet wide, the deck is ample, comfortable, and versatile.

you know

your dog loves you when he sleeps with his snout stuck in your sweaty tennis shoe!

crouching lizard

An adult spiny-tailed iguana (Ctenosaura oedirhina) crouches on a branch in the Tropical Garden Reserve trying to be as inconspicuous as possible. I've noticed dozens of baby and juvenile spiny-tails the last few weeks. I'm guessing the eggs laid earlier in the summer hatched recently. See the Wikipedia page on this threatened species. At Paya Bay you'll see no cages with animals or birds that were brought in from elsewhere. If you practice awareness, however, you'll notice that the property is teeming with wildlife. Its own unique, interesting wildlife.

doing an awesome job

Bannis takes a moment to contemplate a section of the Paya Trail he's been working very hard on. This section above Buccaneer Landing is being built through mostly solid rock. He designs the retaining wall as he goes along, placing the chunks of rock in a pattern that makes them stable without using cement.

fishin'

A guest attempts a little fishing from a kayak near Lil Bay Beach, as other guests simply enjoy the clear, turquoise water.
Bliss.

photo of the day

Guests soak up some August rays at Lil Bay Beach.

secret cove: the video

The quality of this video is so-so as it is very compressed, but it gives you an idea how special this cove is.

secret cove series

Secret Cove is one of several exquisite spots for you to enjoy at Paya Bay. It's the best place on the property to catch the sunset. Oh, and it's always clothing optional.

the awesone breeze

It's our 24/7/365 cooling system. It keeps the temps cool (up to 10 degrees cooler!) and the bugs at bay!

get there fast then take it slow

Paya Bay's snorkeling boat takes guests to various snorkeling sites inside the barrier reef.

beach bar update

The guys made a lot of progress this week on the plunge pool casing. We're nearly ready to pour the concrete!

photogenic paya

Guests review digital photos they've taken along Paya Bay's nature trails.

quotable quote

We don't need more strength or more ability or greater opportunity. What we need is to use what we have.

- Basil S. Walsh

photo of the day

Guests share a quiet sunset moment at Buccaneer Landing.

quotable quote

Most successful men have not achieved their distinction by having some new talent or opportunity presented to them. They have developed the opportunity that was at hand.

- Bruce Barton

beach bar update

The floor of the saltwater plunge pool has been thrown. Now the guys are building the box that will contain and form the concrete front wall. Note the nice curve that will be in the wall. A submerged bench will run along the back of the pool following the curve of the cliff. This is going to be SO cool!

cool gringos

Family friends Jeannie and Ben come to Paya often for overnight visits. They moved to Roatan several years ago from the U.S. They are two of the coolest, most open-minded, most genuine, and down-to-earth people I know.

quotable quote

What force is more potent that love.

- Igor Stravinsky

and then there were two

It seems that Gio, the wild white-crowned pigeon (Patagioenas leucocephala) that hangs out in the early mornings in the sea grape tree near my apartment, has convinced one of his buddies that it's okay to be near humans. While vigilant, they seem a lot less anxious, and even feel safe enough to preen themselves. It used to be that they would fly off as soon as I opened the door. Seeing them in the mornings gives a boost of good energy.

quotable quote

The cure for all the ills and wrongs, the cares, the sorrows, and the crimes of humanity, all lie in the one word "love". It is the divine vitality that everywhere produces and restores life.

-Lydia Maria Child

joyce and lucky

Ecstatic Lucky absolutely loving a belly rub from Joyce. Joyce, who adores animals, recently visited Paya from Atlanta. She will be happy to know that we're currently considering a 'vacation with your best friend' program which will allow pet owners to bring their small dogs with them on their vacation.

photo of the day

A view of the main Paya Bay deck at night. The fronds of the underlit coconut trees shimmer in the sea breeze. The new trellis is already becoming covered with vines, creating a very cozy effect.

dinner at susan and henrick's

Last night Lucy and I attended a dinner party at our friends Susan and Henrick's place. It was a lovely evening of good friends, good conversation, and good energy. The picture above was taken on the main deck of their home. Note how the infinity edge pool overlooks a lush tropical valley (and, not visible above, the sea). Pictured above are Susan, Wayne (visiting from South Africa), and Lucy. It's wonderful to discover there are so many people living The Secret. Wow.

beach bar update

Tomorrow, Miguel will be 'fundiendo' (throwing concrete) on what will become the floor of the plunge pool at the -- yet to be named -- beach bar on Lil Bay Beach. As you can see in the photo above, the saltwater pool will be approximately twelve feet away from the actual ocean. We're building on a solid rock foundation (thanks to the adjacent cliff) so it should be quite strong. The saltwater will be pumped directly from the sea, filtered, heated slightly using a solar heater, and then allowed to cascade down the cliff side into the pool creating a stunning tropical effect.

Miguel and Francisco putting in a drainage pipe.

This is the goal we're working towards.

garinagu tribal beach party

The Garifunas perform at the Garinagu Tribal Beach Party on Lil Bay Beach last night.

paya at night

Guests chat on the stairs to Buccaneer Landing which are lit with tiki torches on Thursday nights.