LITTLE FRENCH KEY - 5 Suitcases https://5suitcases.com A family travel blog Thu, 07 Jul 2022 00:51:15 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://i0.wp.com/5suitcases.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/cropped-cropped-logo-4.png?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 LITTLE FRENCH KEY - 5 Suitcases https://5suitcases.com 32 32 95195983 5 Awesome Things to Do at Little French Key https://5suitcases.com/5-awesome-things-to-do-at-little-french-key/ https://5suitcases.com/5-awesome-things-to-do-at-little-french-key/#comments Sat, 18 Jul 2020 11:55:00 +0000 https://5suitcases.com/?p=713 The area of Roatan and Little French Key was once known as a haven for pirates but it has long since been taken over by divers and snorkelers. Nearly the entire island is surrounded by an incredible coral reef full of vibrantly colored tropical fish, lobsters, sea urchins, and other sea creatures. The island itself is covered with white-sand beaches, rolling hills, and the friendliest people you’ll ever encounter.

I’ve visited Honduras five times now and each time, I fall more and more in love with it. During my last two visits, I spent my time in a little place called Little French Key.

Little French Key

Where is Little French Key?

Little French Key is a small private island off the coast of another island (Roatan), off the coast of a developing country… does that sound remote enough for you?

  • Little French Key
  • Little French Key

Many islands have been called “paradise” in the past, however, I assure you that LFK puts all of those islands to shame. If your idea of paradise is a raked white sand beach covered with gorgeous palm trees, palm frond huts, and barely any other people around, LFK is perfect for you.

Little French Key has countless activities for visitors to enjoy so it is no wonder that it has been rated as the #1 Attraction in Roatan by TripAdvisor. They offer everything from massages, manicures, and pedicures, guided snorkeling expeditions, paddleboarding, a zoo filled with rescued animals, restaurants, bars, etc. This place seriously has it all!

Here are 5 Awesome Things to Do in Little French Key:

Paddleboarding and Kayaking

Paddleboarding and kayaking are two of the trendiest water sports right now. LFK is the perfect place to try your hand at both. The island features gorgeous coves surrounded by rock jetties that prevent the waves from coming in making the water a nice, smooth surface perfect for beginners.

Little French Key

Zoo

The owners of LFK have rescued many animals from various circuses. These animals have been given a safe and healthy home with the medical care that they need. Be sure to stop by and say hello to the lions, tigers, jaguars, monkeys, and birds that have been rescued! If you’re lucky, you may even be able to hold one of these precious animals.

Relax

I don’t know about you, but when I go on vacation, I love just being able to relax. Here you can soak up some rays on one of the comfortable beach chairs or relax under the shade of a palm tree. There are countless hammocks, swings, and even a platform full of beds where you can enjoy the picturesque scenery while getting a little R&R.

Enjoy a Monkey Lala

This super fun drink is a signature on the island of Roatan. It is a delicious combination of Bailey’s, Kahlua, vodka, rum, cream of coconut, and a splash of cream. This drink is heavenly! The bartenders here also make a mean margarita and another superb signature drink called The Tornado.

Snorkeling

Little French Key

One of my favorite thing to do in the islands is breaking out my snorkeling gear and checking out what’s happening in the deep blue sea. Honduras is home to the second-largest barrier reef in the world, second only to the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) in Australia. In fact, it is actually home to the largest living barrier reef in the world as much of the GBR has died. LFK offers a guided snorkeling tour that takes you to an underwater park known as Mayatlantis. Here, you can swim amongst replicas of ancient Maya ruins, which is pretty stinking cool if you ask me.

If guided tours aren’t your thing, you can also snorkel in the coves. You won’t believe how much-petrified coral is right under your feet! You may also see fish, lobsters, sea urchins, and more!

How do I get to this place?

Little French Key is truly heaven on Earth! If you visit Roatan aka Mahogany Bay on a cruise, be sure to look into visiting this incredible private island. The LFK crew will even meet you at the dock and transport you to paradise!

There are also direct flights from Houston, Atlanta, and New York to Roatan. From Roatan, you’ll take a super quick (less than 5 minutes!) ferry ride from the mainland to Little French Key aka Heaven on Earth. Little French Key offers hotel accommodations right on the island, making it easy to wake up and have your toes in the sand in just minutes!

While You’re in Roatan…

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]]> https://5suitcases.com/5-awesome-things-to-do-at-little-french-key/feed/ 1 713 Little French Key in Roatan, Honduras – Why We WON’T Be Returning https://5suitcases.com/little-french-key-in-roatan-honduras-is-heaven-on-earth/ https://5suitcases.com/little-french-key-in-roatan-honduras-is-heaven-on-earth/#comments Thu, 25 Jun 2020 15:10:00 +0000 https://5suitcases.com/?p=571

Little French Key USED to be one of our favorite spots to visit in Central America.  We once saw it as a little slice of paradise where time moves a little slower, the sun shines a little brighter, the sand feels just a little bit softer, and the drinks are poured a little stronger. It was the perfect little escape for couples, families, and large groups.

Where is Little French Key?

Firstly, Honduras has 3 bay islands off of its north coast; Roatan, Utila, and Guanaja. During our 2016 visit, we discovered our favorite place in the world. Just off the coast of Roatan is a small private island oasis called Little French Key. Making it an itty bitty island, off the coast of another island… sound remote enough for you?

Imagine a tranquil, freshly raked, white sand beach that is shaded by gorgeous palms and surrounded by clear blue water. That, my friends, is LFK. At least, that’s what they want you to believe.  Underneath the surface, it’s actually a haven for drama, scandal, corruption, and everything we try to escape while on vacation.

The property is frequently in turmoil- turmoil the managers refer to as “hostile takeovers”.  These take overs sometimes include militia with machine guns, sieges by the government, arson, periods of time where there is no electricity or running water.  Little French Key has become a mess.

Probably the saddest part of all of this is the fact that there are innocent animals involved in this drama.  Little French Key prides itself as being a sanctuary for rescue animals.  These “rescues” end up being exploited and frequently sedated so that they remain calm while tourists pose for pictures with them.

 

 

 

Little French Key embodies everything we stand against.  It’s a shame that such a gorgeous property has succumbed to such drama and corruption.  We’ve visited the island 4x, and have such wonderful memories there.  We, however, will not be returning.

We caution you about visiting Little French Key, at this time.  The park closes without notice and is not issuing refunds to people who have prepaid for their trip.

Big French Key

Next to Little French Key is another island called Big French Key.  It has similar tranquil vibes without all of the machine guns, drugged-up animals, corruption, greed, fire, etc.

This is where WE will be visiting on our next trip to Roatan.  

While You’re in Roatan…

 

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Updated: 4/15/22

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