Reviews
“Hidden Treasure”
We were very pleased with our experience at Blue Harbor Tropical Arboretum. We have taken other tours similar to this one but were very pleased at the personal attention we received. The two most outstanding finds were the miracle berries and the whistling duck. If you are looking for a relaxing time at Roatan this is the place.
“Rare gem of the Caribbean”
If you love tropical flora and fauna, you will love this tour. We booked round trip transportation from Mahogany Bay and tours of the arboretum online. Ana promptly picked us up at the predetermined time and drove us to the site, where Orville took over the duties as tour guide. He did a fantastic job. While escorting us around the property, he was picking a variety of tropical fruits which he later served us as a snack. The varieties of plants and trees was astounding. A true nature lovers rare find. I would highly recommend this adventure.
“Exotic”
My wife and I visited in Jan 2015. The tour of the property was definitely interesting. We learned about the history of the gardens, the owners, the plants and trees, etc. The best part was the freshly cut fruits and jam at the end of the tour! Highly recommended!
“Lovely”
Very nice spot. We did the self guided tour. Most plants and trees are clearly marked. If you are staying on the island, be sure to buy their fresh lettuce and herbs…..yum!
“A beautiful spot”
We arrived around 10, and were thrilled to hear that we could catch up to the guided tour that had just headed out. Faviola proved to be a delightful and knowledgeable guide. The flowers, the fruit trees, the water and birds ..it was wonderful. Getting there early is best at this time of year since the sun gets so hot by noon. Bring your camera …alongside each tree/plant is a sign with the name in both Spanish and English so you can note what you just shot, in case you forget. You will learn lots about fruits and nuts to ponder long after you leave. Samples of the fruits at the end…purchasing herbs from the hydroponic greenhouse is possible at times.
“Great place to go”
This tour is fun, informative and you even get to sample lots of island fruits and some amazing products they sell. Our rental car broke down there and they made us an almond butter sandwich with payaya jam and put a bit of rum in our smoothies. Great fun!
“A well manicure piece of paradise…in paradise”
The Arboretum was a great place to wander through all different cultivars and species of fruit trees and other plantings. We did a self-tour, but guided tours are also offered. The kids also fed the ducks and watched the agouti and iguanas. There are also hydroponic facilities on the premises that supply lettuce and greens to the islands restaurants and supermarkets, many of which we tasted while out eating around the island.
“Beautiful, Relaxing Afternoon”
We cruised on the Carnival Sunshine the end of April. We had pre-planed our excursion here because of all the great reviews. We were not disappointed. Anna picked us up outside the port and brought us to her home for $15 each giving us a commentary along the way. Once we arrived paid another $15 we were taken on an incredible walking tour of all the exotic plants by a very knowledgeable young woman. We were also warmly greeted by the pet ducks. We received free samples of many of the exotic fruits produced there. Driving back to the ship, because time allowed, Anna took us on a tour of most of the island. We would highly recommend.
“Ecool Thing”
If you want to be part of nature this is a great place combined away from the crazy life, to know more about agriculture and different types of fruit trees and one great option is that you could get your cashew seeds from the tree to your mouth and this is a great flavor as they cooked and packed at the property.
“Beautiful and Peaceful”
My friend and I took our 2 1/2 year old kids there. We got an amazing tour of the grounds which have citrus, avocado, local, and exotic fruit trees. Inside the Arboretum there are beautiful plants and ponds and even a huge water fall. It was a really nice day over all. Next door at the Hydroponic farm the workers were roasting and shelling Cashews. It was cool to get to see them do it by hand and to learn a little about the process. Love it. If you are in Roatan and want a nice, gentle relaxing thing to do: go to Blue Harbor Plantation. It’s lovely. Notes: The bathrooms are sparkling clean and really nice. The paths are laid with gravel, so you COULD get a wheelchair through, but it would be difficult… but totally do able because there are no stairs. No food for sale, but cold drinks (soda, juice, beer) are for sale.
“Beautiful Tropical Gardens”
We went out to see the gardens one afternoon and were blown away by the beauty. We live on Roatan and will be lucky enough to go and visit every couple of months and take more people to see as it is a work in progress always growing and changing for the better. This is a really great way to see the beauty of tropical plants from Roatan. Most of the plants are labeled so it is fun to read and learn each name. There is a large pond which makes the place seem so tranquil.
“Life Is Just A Tire Swing”
Heaven on earth, Blue Harbor is captivating! Simple as it sounds the first thing I noticed when we arrived was “the tire swing”, the swing brought back so many memories from childhood. I was hooked. Would definitely recommend a visit here! Time well spent in a beautiful peaceful setting with much good work in progress. I loved it!!! Would I visit again….Absolutely!
“Hydrorific”
Very cool to see the process of the Hydroponic Lettuce grown here. SO fresh clean and delicious!
“Tourist And Locals Alike… Go See This Beautiful Addition To Roatan”
We had the opportunity to see this new attraction on Roatan. It is located down the Mudhole Road at the same location as the Blue Harbour Plantation Hydroponic. What an experience! The grounds are beautiful and the conservatory building was, “WOW’! When the door opens it really is a surprise to see the well tended well marked plants, the walkway, the amazing waterfall, and the unique, orchid wall!!!!! There are so many species of plant life. The orchard is full of fruits that we had never even heard of before. The Arboretum is a work in progress with more to come in the future. In the meantime tourists and locals alike should get out and see this wonderful asset to the Island…sure glad we did!!!
“Stunning”
My daughter and I started with the hydroponics tour and like most people I’ve bought hydroponic lettuce, basil and cilantro. We all have a general idea how it’s done but to actually see it and learn about it was so amazing. I had never really thought much about lettuce before but to be surrounded by row after row of the most beautiful perfect greens I had ever seen had me wishing for a bowl and some vinaigrette. After the hydroponics tour we moved on to tour the rest of the property. Even as I think of it now I’m hard pressed to try to explain all of the amazing plants that we saw. It was like plants from a different planet…the colors, shapes and smells were not like anything I had ever seen. Flowers that looked like lobster claws and leaves that looked like they had been splattered with paint were some of my favorites. (I swear I saw the plant from the Adam’s Family).
We especially loved the waterfall, the misty pond and the wall of orchids. If they had a hammock and someone to bring us frosty drinks we would have stayed all week.
Out of all of the things we did this week on island this was our favorite. The people there were not only informative but welcoming and friendly. (it also had the nicest bathroom we saw all week)
“Wow”
We had a very pleasant visit to the arboretum. The facility is very well layed out and has an extensive variety of plants. This is a must see for Roatan residents as well as visitors.
“A beautiful experience”
Hermoso lugar, con excelente atención! Such a beautiful place for everyone. Lo recomiendo para toda ocasión.
Pretty gardens
The gardens are lovely. A nice size to enjoy a stroll around. There are waterways, with ducks and geese. Humming birds can be seen too. Other animals can be seen too.
For the gardener
This attraction is very interesting and you do learn a lot about medicinal and eatable plants. Nice walk through beautiful gardens with waterways and conservatory. Also fun to see the hydroponic operations as the island depends on the crops grown here.
Small but good variety of local fauna.
Lot’s of different tropical plants and good variety of local animals. Lettuce growing facility was amazing as they provide all the lettuce for the restaurants and local stores. Very friendly staff.
Wonderful Place
We visited the gardens and the greenhouses. Delightful day. Ana, our guide was very knowledgeable and truly a wonderful women. Thank you for a great visit !
One of the highlights of our stay!
Our visit to the arboretum was one of our favorite afternoons during our two week stay. We waited for the cruise ship tours to finish and took a guided tour of both the gardens and the hydroponic lettuce growing. We had eaten the lettuce and it was delicious so we researched the origin and found the arboretum. We highly recommend you take a guided tour – our guide, Fabiola made our visit extremely enjoyable! Her knowledge of the many plants and their health benefits along with her passion was wonderful. We came home with many tips and have already purchased some Moringa Tree powder to add to our smoothies! It’s a great spot to spend a morning or afternoon and learn about the many plants on the property as well as some Honduran history.
Great Place to visit rain or shine
We visited on a rainy day and it was still a great visit. Very friendly people and interesting grounds, We only regret not having more time to spend here or taking a guided tour. We would definitely recommend that. If you are on a cruise they have a shuttle to pick you up at either port in Roatan.
Beautiful Gardens
We so enjoyed our afternoon trip to the botanical gardens. If you are a horticulturist or just love gardening, this is the place for you to see! We even got to eat fruit samples from many of the trees that we had not heard of before.
Awesome chance to taste local fruit and learn about island gardening
We’ve been to Roatan several times and each time we hear about the ‘lettuce farm’ – all the resorts and restaurants have great fresh salads. The greens that are used in the salads are grown locally on the island at “the lettuce farm”. The Blue Harbor Tropical Arboretum is the lettuce farm and much more. …
On our trip this time we were determined to tour the hydroponic operation. We contacted our favorite tour guides Zenola and Marco to have them take us there. That day, we went to a couple places prior and ended up getting to the Arboretum just at closing time. So we made an appointment for later in the week to meet up with Fabosa (sp?) for a tour of the facility.
We arrived at 10am and our tour started promptly. Fabosa first showed us the entrance to the hiking trails – we are not that young anymore and don’t do that. She took us through an amazing variety of fruit and medicinal trees and plants. We got to taste fruit from every plant that had ripe fruit. Our lovely tour guide climbed up the trees to get us the ripe fruit. At the end of the fruit/flower part of the tour we stopped in the smoothie shop and she prepared a plate with samples of a number of other native fruits.
The conservatory was really interesting, orchids, vanilla beans, black pepper plants and many others in a greenhouse with waterfall and little stream flowing through it. The variety and healthy condition of the plants was wonderful to see.
We also toured the ‘lettuce farm’ – this is the hydroponic lettuce greens production area. We got to see the whole process from planting and sprouting the seeds to moving the growing ‘tubes’ of plants through the phases of maturity. They grow other greens like basil, cilantro, parsley, arugula besides lettuce. It was fascinating to see the process up close with every question answered.
We enjoyed our time there – this is a place where you can get a wealth of information and be fully engaged for a couple of hours if you have a curious, learning attitude. The guide was excellent and did everything she could to make sure our questions were answered, she fully exceeded our expectations.
We probably won’t go again but do recommend that everyone who visits Roatan take a trip to the Blue Harbor Tropical Arboretum – locally known as “The Lettuce Farm”.
Organic Delight
We were so pleased with our tour last year that we insisted on Blue Harbor mixed greens on this years vacation.. On an island that relies on 98% of its produce from the mainland. Blue Harbor has established a much needed organic horticultural niche i!! Always fresh How blessed that they were a part of our daily meals!!
Great Hiking Venue
We came as a party of eight ( us and our adult children) looking for a place to hike. This garden provided a well marked trail with optional obstacles which was exactly what we were looking for. About 4 mile round trip with some great vieing spots along the way. Rewarded at the end with fresh made smoothies at the lovely cafe on site.
Beautifully manicured grounds
My husband and I visited this arboretum while on a private tour of Roatan. Our driver said that while there are other botanical gardens on the island, he thought this one was the best.
You can choose to tour the grounds on your own, or for about $5 more you can take a guided tour. We decided to go it alone. At the entrance where you pay, you can buy a fruit smoothie, if you wish. There are many different choices. We purchased a pineapple/coconut smoothie; it was delicious.
This place was beautiful. The grassy areas were beautiful manicured and there were many different fruit trees and flowers outdoors and indoors there was a really nice rain forest setting. They also grow salad greens and herbs commercially on the premises in green houses. Visitors cannot enter these facilities, but there is a green house with some salad greens and herbs that visitors can enter.
When finished touring the grounds, the attendant prepares a plate full of tropical fruit to try. Some were delicious, all were interesting. I highly recommend this stop while touring Roatan.
Very Pleasant
It was a guided tour of the gardens and green houses. Beautiful fruit trees and waterfall in the tropical setting. So relaxing and peaceful there. It was a great excursion for us. Would do it again.
Beautiful grounds for an enjoyable visit
Blue Harbor offers so much to do in a beautiful setting. It’s a bit off the regular tourist track, so you do have to make a special effort to get there. But plan on staying for a while to meander the grounds, learn about the local flora and fauna, and hike up some of the trail to get amazing ocean views from the jungle. Their work is fantastic for the island and I hope they continue to grow!
Wonderful day trip
The arboretum was beautiful with lots of beautiful flowers and trees in bloom. Very relaxing on a hot day.
Eco thing
If you want to be part of Nature this is a great place combined away from the crazy life, to know more about agriculture and different types of fruit trees and one great option is that you could get your cashew seeds from the tree to your mouth in a great flavor as they cooked and packed on the same place.
Beautiful, relaxing afternoon
We cruised on the Carnival Sunshine the end of April. We had pre-planed our excursion here because of all the great reviews. We were not disappointed. Anna picked us up outside the port and brought us to her home for $15 each giving us a commentary along the way. Once we arrived paid another $15 we were taken on an incredible walking tour of all the exotic plants by a very knowledgeable young woman. We were also warmly greeted by the pet ducks. We received free samples of many of the exotic fruits produced there. Driving back to the ship, because time allowed, Anna took us on a tour of most of the island. We would highly recommend.
Getting to know Roatan
I had read reviews about the arboretum and decided to go check it out. We wanted to get out of the sun for a few hours and learn more about Roatan and it’s flora. We were pleasantly surprised, we arrived on a Non Cruise day so we were the only ones there. We did our own tour which was great as all plants are clearly labeled. The conservatory was awesome so many types of trees/shrubs/orchids etc. The property is extremely clean and well taken care of. There is a variety of fruit trees that we had never seen before. A great learning experience. The property is very peaceful.
At the end of our walk we were given some of the local fruit /jams to taste.
On site is a hydroponic area where lettuce and herbs are grown (which supply local restaurants.
A well manicured bit of Paradise… in paradise!
The Arboretum was a great place to wander through all different cultivars and species of fruit trees and other plantings. We did a self-tour, but guided tours are also offered. The kids also fed the ducks and watched the agouti and iguanas. There are also hydroponic facilities on the premises that supply lettuce and greens to the islands restaurants and supermarkets, many of which we tasted while out eating around the island.
Shame on me
I have lived on Roatan for almost 2 years and I never went to the Blue Harbor Tropical Arboretum until last week. What an amazing place. My friends and I did the self guided tour and were able to wander around at our own pace. The grounds are meticulously maintained, plants are well labeled, the flowers are gorgeous and the conservatory was amazing. I felt like I was in the movie Medicine Man with Sean Connery while I was in the conservatory. After the tour we were treated to fruit samples and then the Miracle Fruit. I won’t tell you what that was because I don’t want to ruin the surprise. It was AMAZING! Do yourself a favor and spend some time at the arboretum, it was money well spent.
Great place to go!
This tour is fun, informative and you even get to sample lots of island fruits and some amazing products they sell. Our rental car broke down there and they made us an almond butter sandwich with payaya jam and put a bit of rum in our smoothies. Great fun!
A beautiful spot
We arrived around 10? and were thrilled to hear that we could catch up to the guided tour that had just headed out.Faviola proved to be a delightful and knowledgeable guide. The flowers, the fruit trees, the water and birds ..it was wonderful.Getting there early is best at this time of year since the sun gets so hot by noon. Bring your camera …alongside each tree/plant is a sign with the name in both Spanish and English so you can note what you just shot, in case you forget. You will learn lots about fruits and nuts to ponder long after you leave. Samples of the fruits at the end…purchasing herbs from the hydroponic greenhouse is possible at times.
Learned and tasted of Roatan’s exotic fruit treasures!
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to this exotic and tropical paradise! Not only were the gardens beautiful and we learned a lot, but perhaps the best part of all was that we were served up a plate of the exotic fruits that were in season including the miracle berry which changed a very sour lime into the most sweetly flavored fruit! Even the owner Ken and manager Boyd stopped to chat with us plus the front staff were very friendly and helpful. If you love tropical flowers, trees and fruit a visit to Blue Harbor is definitely worth the trip!
Peaceful, Beautiful Place, Friendly Hosts
A small but very pretty garden with a variety of plants, especially fruit trees and bushes. Very attentive and friendly guide. Transportation to and from was flawless and on the way back they gave us a little tour of the island. Recommended if you’re interested in gardening or just want to look at the greenery. They have a small snack bar and patio and gave some samples of local fruits to taste.
Roatan’ Finest Display
We visited the Blue Harbor Arboretum last week and we were blown away by the many varieties of fruits and fruit trees and other species of vegetation and food such as cashew trees and the hydroponic lettuce that is grown in this spot. This is good news for sustainable development on the island.
It is about a 45 minute drive from West Bay. You will need to get a taxis or taxi van if there are more than four of you. We had a driver at 15.00 each and 17.00 to explore the grounds. It may seem expensive but for us was worth it when you see the possibilities for locally sourced food and possibly an export crop re cashews.
After your tour you are given a plate of the different fruit to test. Also you can buy drinks and smoothies made with the local fruit. The staff are warm and welcoming. You can also choose a guided tour if you want.
You get to meet and feed the whistling duck and many other birds. You can purchase a bag of food for a dollar so kids and adults can enjoy feeding the birds and the fish.
Lovely!
Very nice spot. We did the self guided tour. Most plants and trees are clearly marked. If you are staying on the island, be sure to buy their fresh lettuce and herbs…..yum!
Lovely!
What a beautiful place! Excellent tour guides and spaces. A relaxing few hours spent off the cruise ship. Had the place to ourselves. Just do it! We did both the arboretum and the hydroponic garden. Very interesting.
Exotic!
My wife and I visited in Jan 2015. The tour of the property was definitely interesting. We learned about the history of the gardens, the owners, the plants and trees, etc. The best part was the freshly cut fruits and jam at the end of the tour! Highly recommended!
Nice close up look at island plants
We did a self-guided tour but our taxi driver walked with us. The plants are labeled with names. The greenhouse area is like Eden with a little waterfall. We also had the opportunity to see a few caged animals. The unexpected finale was a plate of different fruits to try and the miracle berry (Stevia).
Very relaxing and nice way to see things up close. We visited for about an hour but you could spend much longer if you really examined everything.
Beautiful
I made the mistake of not wearing proper shoes — make sure you wear either hiking sandals or tennis shoes. This place was beautiful and very serene. The little gift shop/ café located outside was lovely. I actually took one of the most peaceful naps sitting at a table there while my boyfriend continued to walk around. The gardens and grounds are full of lush vegetation and wildlife. One of the workers even gave us a plantain off a bunch that had fallen to the ground. Lots of birders there as well.
Beautiful Area
Our tour guide from Bodden Tours brought us here and we got to wander through the arboretum and look at all the beautiful gardens. Then we got to taste some of the local tropical fruit.
Beautiful, like being on a movie set
We are “do it yourself” people and seldom take tours. We took a taxi and just showed up. Most everyone else takes their advertised tours which is by tourist van. There were no tours that day (tours are extra $ after the entrance fee which was high in my opinion and should have included it but oh well) so we had the place to ourselves! Orville, a very nice well English spoken young man (why he had two new smart phones in his hands is beyond me). We walked into the hydroponic green house which was gorgeous. I have never seen lettuce so beautiful and so clean. I wanted to pick it and eat it right there! Then we walked the area of perfectly groomed plants. There is a nice arboretum and also a room with a few rodent type animals. There is a little very clean spot of seats and tables and jams and coffee for sale. Orville brought us a sample dish of local fruits and jam with a few crackers. This is a bit out of the way, so taxi’s probably do not just show up. Orville called one for us. I would say no more than two hours is enough. Even less time is fine. The downsize is getting there and back, one drives by the local huge dump which was heart breaking, seeing people pick thru trash.
Blue Harbor Arboretum. Rare Gem of the Caribbean!
If you love tropical flora and fauna, you will love this tour. We booked round trip transportation from Mahogany Bay and tours of the arboretum online for just $60 USD. Ana promptly picked us up at the predetermined time and drove us to the site, where Orville took over the duties as tour guide. He did a fantastic job. While escorting us around the property, he was picking a variety of tropical fruits which he later served us as a snack. The varieties of plants and trees was astounding. A true nature lovers rare find. I would highly recommend this adventure.
Hidden Treasure
We were very pleased with our experience at Blue Harbor Tropical Arboretum. We have taken other tours similar to this one but were very pleased at the personal attention we received. The two most outstanding finds were the miracle berries and the whistling duck. If you are looking for a relaxing time at Roatan this is the place.
Tropical plant lovers paradise
Beautifully layed out, very nice level walking paths. The entire place is absolutely spotless, all the trees and plants are clearly identified. The hydroponic houses full of many varieties of lettuce are a special treat. There is a snack and cold drink facility. Angel, our tour guide and general manager, is a wealth of information. The tropical plant pavilion, complete with waterfall, was my favorite spot! So many specimens all snugged in together and thriving. The orchids alone are worth the trip. An amazing project that is so worth the time for the education you can receive.
Great tour!
We loved learning about all the exotic fruiting plants in their collection. Orville was a terrific guide and very thorough, and we definitely had a lot of questions that he answered. I wish I had a pen and paper to write all the names of plants and fruits down. The mata savor was the best experience, thank you!!
Great experience – you must take the guided tour
This is a lovely botanical location. However, unless you really know your stuff, you must take the guided tour. We had an excellent tour guide and enjoyed munching on fruit picked straight from the trees as we walked around the beautiful grounds. Afterwards we tasted more tropical fruit and tried one of those crazy berries that changes all sour flavors to sweet (bizarre!). Recommended.
Fun and interesting
This was a great visit. We ended up taking a guided tour with Anna, who was extremely knowledgeable about the variety of trees and fruits. At the very least, kids would enjoy the tour seeing the ducks and chickens who follow you around the area of the conservatory waiting to be fed. One cute duck was “Daffy”, a real ham. There is also a sanctuary with parrots, iguanas, turtle and a watusa, oh, and a squirrel from the mainland. At the end of the tour we were treated to a tasting of a variety of different fruits from the grounds. The staff was very friendly. It is worth the trip.
We loved it.
I highly recommend this beautiful tour. It is so interesting and the location is perfectly beautiful.
Great experience for kids
We have been going to this place for years and it has gotten better over the years as they expand. My sister-in-law got married there two years ago and it was very nice.
Beautiful!!!!!
great people and nothing but beautiful scenery. nothing less than greatness!!! everyone there was very nice and the ideal of fresh local veggies does good for the island.
GREAT PLACE!!!
It is incredible to see how in a beautiful place you can see a variety of plants (floral, fruits etc..) perfect place to learn, taste and see about nature. My Family enjoy our trip… We loved it!!!
Wonderful well-kept garden
My wife and I spent a couple of hours in our May 2014 trip to Roatan at the Blue Harbor Tropical Arboretum. She loves plants and I love photography, so it was a perfect place for both of us to really enjoy. There are many fruit trees in the collection, many of which are strikingly beautiful. The indoor garden and orchid collection are superb. Its a nice quiet place to soak in the beauty. We did not get a guided tour, and arrived on a weekend. The owner came out an met us, and was knowledgeable, informative and friendly. I recommend this place highly.
A must see!
As far as botanical gardens go, I have never been a huge conisiuer but I was extremely impressed with the tour of this place. Helen did a tremendous job of walking is through the gardens. She is extremely knowledgable and friendly. The best part about this place was that Helen not only walked you through the gardens but had everyone taste the fruits from the trees right off of them! It was such an amazing experience and I would highly recommend you visit!
A great experience!
We really enjoyed our tour of the Blue Harbor Tropical Arboretum. Our tour guide, Helen was very knowledgeable and very interesting to talk to. The variety of plants, flowers & trees was incredible. You can go on a self-guided tour but why would you want to? We learned so much and the taste-testing of the fruits was a definite high-light. Once our tour was over we sat at their small cafe & taste tested more fruits & had an ice cold beer. (It was very hot) Thank-you again Helen! It was our most favorite tour of Roatan. When we visit Roatan again we will be making another stop there for sure. It is a must see if you are at all interested in tropical plants, flowers & trees.
A hidden gem
Took a self guided tour of the Arboretum which included the conservatory & animal sanctuary. This place is so peaceful. Ana was so nice to point out all the different fruit trees they have in the arboretum. After the tour, we were able to sample the different fruits in season. We highly recommend visiting this beautiful hidden gem!
Learn, taste, enjoy and smell
I just came from Arboretum and I feel that I have to share my experience right away!! It is the perfect stop to complement any plan you have for the day.
First Helen makes the tour, THE TOUR, you learn about hydroponic farming and how you can do this at home without spending a lot of money, then you can see a couple of animals they rescued (guatusa, iguana, squirrel), then after that the hike starts…here is where you can see over a 100 species of ornamental and fruit plants….but you can do more than just see! …you can touch, smell, learn and eat ( I tried more than 10 different fruits and at least 4 of them where a new flavor experience for me)
If you want to have a great experience and at the same time be able to touch and try everything like nowhere, this the place you have to go!!! Definetely take the tour! You won’t be sorry!
Interesting and not necessary to take the tour
I am a fan of plants and arboretums so I wanted to visit Blue Harbor. They strongly suggest you pay extra for the tour. We didn’t have a lot of time and weren’t interested in seeing the hydroponic lettuce so we skipped the tour and just walked around ourselves. The grounds are beautiful with lots of interesting plants. The ducks and chicks were a nice surprise too! The owner or manager (not sure who he was) seemed surprised that we didn’t want the tour. Based on his response I would guess most people pay for the tour but you can still have a nice time here if you don’t.
Great Fun! Beautiful Grounds. Tasty fruit, You’ve got to go!!
Ana and Helen were terrific! A great way to learn about tropical plants. We went to Roatan by a cruise ship and after a 15 minute ride arrived in the Arboretum. Very educational and easy to walk around the grounds. Take the tour to learn about what you are looking at. Smoothies and beer were delicious. Relaxing time and an excellent attraction.
Really is interesting
I learned much about tropical fruits trees and got to sample many of the fruit. Our guide was friendly and knowledgeable..
The process of growing veggies without soil was an eyeopener. I really appreciate the fresh greens in the restaurants better than before our visit.
This attraction is well worth a visit. The kiddies will enjoy the parrots and wildlife. They have a great snack bar.
Fabulous place fabulous people
Ana and Boyd were amazing! such beautiful gardens and tons of exotic fruits that even these well travelled boys had never heard of, let alone tasted! fun fun fun!
The best experience.
Our first time in Roatan we were driving around the island and we decided to visit this attraction the best decision, a beautiful place, awesome experience. .Angel the person in charge was fantastic and funny and he give us a lot of information. the tour was great we even do some tasting of different fruits I highly recommend this beautiful paradise.
Beautiful gardens, wander on your own or take a guided tour
We decided to wander on our own so that I could rest on the benches when I fatigued. Many of the gorgeous tropical flowers were in bloom, but I found the trees most fascinating. After our self guided tour, Ana showed us the various fruits in season and offered tastes of each. The most interesting was the Mata Savor fruit, a tiny red seed like fruit which alters your taste buds so that for 20 minutes everything tastes sweet. This is a beautifully maintained property, well managed, run by people who love what they do. It was a pleasure to visit.
UNEXPECTEDLY BEAUTIFUL!
We had the pleasure to ” discover ” this tropical garden and farm in an island better known for its spectacular reef, beaches, turquoise sea, diving and snorkeling.
We shared the passion of the managers Ana and Boyd, guiding us through the gardens , admired the art in composing conservatories and the wonderful waterfall.
We enjoyed their knowledge of tropical horticulture and their eco-friendly sensitivity. This beautiful Farm also improves the island natural resources , providing education using sustainable agricultural methodologies.
We spent a lovely morning and ended up in the colorful and comfortable covered porch with a cold Margarita prepared to perfection and a lovely lunch of freshly picked salads and delicious sandwiches.
It was an educational, fun day in a magic environment: we are grateful to Ana, Boy and Helen for their excellent hospitality.
Beautiful, educational, historical tour
We opted to be picked up at the cruise terminal, not knowing our way around Roatan. Ana, the lady who drove us, was a fountain of information on the way to the Arboretum and back, giving us the history of the harbors, the development of Roatan, her own history, and history of the Arboretum; and a “local” tour as well of the West End and Half Moon Bay area.The Arboretum itself is a wonder of beautiful cultivation and a classroom in itself. Helen, our Arboretum guide, was a great teacher, introducing us to the tropical plants, many of which we had never heard of, explaining their origin and growth cycles and treating us to samples of their fruit. We “met” many plants and trees we never knew existed, and at the end of the tour were given delicious samples of several of the fruits grown there. If only they could grow up North!
The tour goes through an exotic greenhouse and through rows and rows of trees and plants outside as well. There is a breezy little shelter next to where you park, with soda and water for sale and a place to sit and enjoy the fruit samples you are given. There is also a handy, immaculate restroom, always a plus for us as we grow older.
The tour costs a reasonable $15 per person, and same goes for the ride in a clean, air-conditioned van.Our reservations were handled promptly and professionally online from home before we left.
When we asked Ana if she conducts tours of Roatan as well, she said that she does, half-day and full-day tours, price and destination depending on the interests of the tourists. Thanks to TripAdvisor, we found this gem of a place.
The highlight of our cruise
Helen, our guide for the Arboretum, was the best. Extremely knowledgeable about the plant life and the island culture, she shared information gladly. Although the tour of the grounds, which were far larger than we expected, was supposed to be around an hour, Helen, originally from the States, answered all of our questions and interjected a few anecdotes of her own, leisurely led us through the grounds for over 2 hours. We had to have our island tour guide remind us of the time or it would probably have been more. Helen was a delight. The plants, trees and wildlife, including a Guinea Hen named Dawdee were all in good hands under her care. She obviously loved what she did and her enthusiasm was contagious. She was patient, allowing us to take many, many pictures and answering every question we had. Her own story was a good one so don’t leave until she tells you how she moved to the islands. Worth every penny we paid ($15 per person) and then some. If you are going to Roatan, this is a must !!!
Exotic, hydroponic, tropic
I agree with other recent reviews: certainly an unique and lovely place. And they have recently opened a sandwich smoothie shop: an opportunity to try a smoothie from one of those fabulous tropical fruits whose name you have never heard of and will never remember but with an overwhelming dose of antioxidants and other good stuff. There is a somewhat irritating guinea hen named Helen who will follow you around–not to be confused with the tour guide of the same name.
Our all-time favorite shore excursion
My wife and I are in our 60s and always try to learn about the places we visit while avoiding strenuous activities. We decided to give the BHTA tour a try based on Trip advisor reviews and hit pay dirt with this shore excursion! We confirmed an appointment online and everything couldn’t have gone better! Transportation was $15 each, and the tour cost us $23 each for a total of $76. Ana met us as arranged and conducted a very informative private tour of the hydroponics facilities. Helen then showed us through the arboretum and orchards, explaining everything and answering all our questions. Both ladies couldn’t have been more hospitable and we never felt hurried or herded.. Ana taught us a lot about Roatan, its climate, government and economy, and the culture of its inhabitants during the drive to and from the cruise ship. She even stopped at a store so we could buy something we needed, totally unrelated to the tour. We had such a wonderful, relaxing afternoon! I highly recommend this tour!
Great experience and great people
Arboretum is fantastic, as is your guide and the organic snack bar. The hydroponics are state of the art. And it takes very little convincing to get their driver to drop you afterward at the beach and pick you up afterward. We are very picky cruisers but give this attraction the best rating.
Interesting and beautiful visit
This past week I visited this beautiful arboretum and hydroponic farm. Helen, our tour guide, was so very knowledgeable and so very nice! If you have an interest in plants (flowers, trees, fruit, etc.) or hydroponic farming this is a “must see” on Roatan. I was there for 3 hours and loved every minute…but, I understand that most people visit for 1 1/2 hours. Thanks, again, Helen!
One of the best excursions we did on our cruise
We booked direct based on the TA reviews and we had a superb time. Ana collected us with no issue from Mahoghany Bay, and took us on the 15 min drive to the Arboretum. Explaining on the way the background to the place. Helen gave us a walking tour of all the wonderful flowers and fruit trees. It was great getting a private tour with someone so knowledgable. Then to top off the trip Ana took us on a scenic drive back to the ship so we got to see some of Roatan. Up until that point i didn’t feel that we had any real chance to experience the Caribbean islands outside of the main tourist towns, as are the limitations of the time ashore from a ship, but this trip enabled us to. Highly recommend.
Not to be Missed!
We are so glad that we chose to visit BHTA during our cruise stop in Roatan. We easily made all the arrangements online before leaving home, and Ana picked us up just up the hill from the cruise port and gave us an interesting and informative tour of the island as we wound our way to her tropical paradise. On arrival, she showed us and explained the hydroponic operations whereby they grow all types of lettuces, tomatoes, and many herbs. Next, Helen took us around the rest of the beautiful grounds, educating us about the incredible variety of trees and plants, allowing us to sample many of the ripe fruits. What a wealth of knowledge! Before heading back to the ship, we cooled off with some soursop juice, just one of a number of treats available for purchase. Exploring BHTA was a highlight of our trip and is definitely a must-see. Ana and Helen made the visit a truly memorable experience.
Pleasant surprise
Informative, fun, beautiful, relaxing, and it looks like they will be offering more fresh food and juice options soon. Had a super fresh salad after our tour. Great experience all round.
Wow
We arrived unannounced but got a wonderful private tour, not from a ‘guide’ but from the horticulturist that actually designed and built the arboretum. Practically level surface, good since we had one person with a cane, samples of fresh fruit grown there. Couldn’t have been better unless we’d had more time. She lets the tour go as long as you have questions. Much to see, including turtles in the pond. Very eco friendly. Two tours available, one with the hydroponics farm and one of the arboretum, we took the arboretum, it was great.
Excellent
Helen walked the three of us through each area of the gardens. She is extremely knowable, gracious and generous in her presentation. Blue Harbor was the highlight and our number one spot on trip to Roatan. We finished in the snack shop with cold drinks, roasted cashews grown in the Arboretum and a most delicious Piña Colada made with fresh fruit grown on site. We were attracted to Blue Harbor to view the Hydroponics but found so much more. Our group…son 35 yrs, girlfriend 30, me mid 60s…we loved the information, animals and birds, orchids and flora, fruit trees with tasting. Great experience, well maintained, we would highly recommend.
Great experience…must see!
We arrived into Mahogany Bay in Roatan from a Princess cruise ship and were provided very clear instructions on how to meet up with Ana, the GM who was already waiting for us. She took us to the arboretum and told us about the history of the island and BHTA during the trip. The actual tour of the arboretum was done by Helen who was extremely knowledgeable and passionate about the entire arboretum. She showed us the hydroponics and was able to answer every one of our many questions thoroughly. We then got to see their aviary and animal sanctuary with tropical birds, iguanas, and other native animals. She then took us to the ornamental garden which was landscaped with exotic plants from all over the world. A lot of them we had never heard of, and some were common like vanilla, black pepper, etc yet very interesting to see how they’re actually grown and harvested. We then moved on to the orchards which had countless varieties of fruits, and Helen was extremely knowledgeable about every tree and type of fruit. You could tell that she is heavily involved with the hydroponics, ornamental garden, and orchards every single day. She has a wealth of knowledge and is not just tour guide – she is very hands on and involved with the development of the hydroponics, ornamentals, and orchards. At the end, we got to taste the “Mata Savor” which is a crazy experience. After we ate it, she cut up an un-ripe lime for us to try, and it tasted as sweet as a Sonic Limeade…incredible! At the end of the tour of the arboretum, we paid a little extra for a tour around the island and Ana showed us several attractions – not just the touristy beaches. You can also tell that Ana is incredibly involved in the local community and cares a lot about Roatan and making it a great place for locals and tourists. Every where we went, people knew Ana and would greet her by name, and she knew the ins and outs of the whole island both from the tourism perspective and the perspective of a local. Both Helen and Ana were extremely knowledgeable and gracious and we had a wonderful experience at BHTA. Definitely recommended and a great value, too!
Very interesting experience
On Dec. 6, 2013 Ana, the managing director of BHTA waited for the two of us outside the Cruise Port and drove us to this little paradise, where we met Helen, our most knowledgeable guide. She showed us first the greenhouse where all the hydroponic plants (lettuce, herbs, tomatoes etc.) are cultivated in a most extraordinary way. Then she showed us around the vast orchard/ park where many tropical (fruit-)trees grow and where we could taste various fruits, some of which we had not even ever heard the name, let alone tasted them. She also had us taste a fruit called “Mata Savor” – a very interesting fruit and a funny experience too. But find out for yourself what it is all about. There is also a beautiful conservatory with many exotic plants and flowers and even a waterfall. We also met the animals who live on the grounds such as many various ducks, birds, a squirrel and some more or less friendly cats.
At the end Ana took over again and gave us a tour of the eastern part of the island, showing us various points of interest and giving us a lot of Information.
All together, we received much more as we expected and would very much like to thank Ana and Helen again for their warm welcome and hope that many people will find their way to the Blue Harbor Tropical Arboretum as it’s really worth wile visiting.
Roatans GEM and SANCTUARY
After reading comments on Trip Advisor we decided to visit Blue Harbor Tropical Arboretum on our Cruise Ship stop in Roatan. We were picked up at the Pier by Ana, General Manager of the Arboretum, taking us through Roatan with a smile and delightful History lesson. After arrival at Blue Harbor Ana explained the workings of the Hydroponic Lettuce and Herb farming. Simply fantastic operation.
We then were turned over to Helen who is in charge of the Arboretum leading us on a lovely Garden Path lined with Tropical Plants to the Arboretum and explaining all the fauna in it.
What a treat it was to also be guided to all the different species of Fruit trees on the Farm,even allowing us to sample some.What a treat!
At the end of the Tour Ana gave us a special ride back to the Cruise Ship to parts of the Island we would have otherwise not seen and continuing in her ever so caring way to share her Bay Island History with us.
What a wonderful Day spent away from the maddening Cruise Ship Crowd.
A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.
We are so glad we found this place on Trip Advisor. If you are still thinking what to do in Roatan this is the place. Even driving through the island’s dump to get there was totally worth it! Exceptionally well kept place, great tour guide/head gardener – a very knowledgeable lady from the US who’s been living in Roatan for a while and literally is pouring her soul into the arboretum and hydroponic herb garden at Blue Harbor. And they have super friendly birds, iguanas and a rock start squirrel there as well! Time well spent, and we learnt a lot, our friends were with a 7-year old and she enjoyed every minute of the visit!
Time well spent
Absolutely beautiful! Meticulously kept grounds, everything was First Class. We had the good fortune of being guided by Helen, and her knowledge of the fauna blew us away. Despite her New York accent, we were able to understand her 
It is not one of those overpriced Carnival excursions and in my opinion, much better.
Wonderful gardens and tour
Fabulous and green. If you like samples from fruit trees; tons of information about every plant, flower, tree, and bush there (in the arboretum, too); and hilarious pet ducks (especially the whistlers), then this is a great place for you. Helen gave us a wonderful tour, even my teenagers got into it. And then there’s the hydroponics…a huge operation, supplying the island and mainland with beautiful lettuce, several kinds. Amazing to find it on Roatan (ask about the history, it’s very interesting). Just don’t go during the heat of the day.
Wow!! We Loved the entire experience.
This was an excellent attraction. We contacted them while in the U.S., they offered us transportation to and from the port. We received conformation information, and excellent directions on where they would pick us up. The plant and tree life was well maintained. During our tour, we tasted many different types of fruit grown in the area. Our personal guide, Helen, really loves what she does and was a great guide. We where there several hours.
A Top Rated Experience on Roatan!
I am a gardener and naturalist; my husband is not. However, we both absolutely loved our tour at Blue Harbor and the hydroponic lettuce farm. Learning how their gorgeous lettuce is grown was amazing, and Helen was fabulous as a tour leader — as much so as she is a horticulturalist, to be sure! She answered all of our questions with enthusiasm and an obvious love for what she does. Our favorite part of the tour was the marathon taste testing we did. We tried mangos, guavas, star fruit, Malay apples, blackberry jam fruit, and probably a dozen more whose names I can’t remember. Like others who have left reviews before, the highlight was eating a “taste killer berry,” which, I assume, turns off the receptors on the tongue that taste sour. Before the berries, we tasted a lime, which was as sour as the day is long. After the berries, it tasted like sugary limeade, and the hubby and I devoured the entire thing with gusto!
Definitely check out Blue Harbor. It’s fantastic!
Tropical Fruit and hummingbirds!
Had a GREAT tour of this amazing place. Highlight…eating tropical fruit from the trees, one which afterwards made everything sour taste like it was coated in sugar (lemons and limes!). Beautiful and educational.Well worth a look.
An Absolute MUST See
Having a few hours to tour Roatan, we contacted Ana at BHTA. This site is a gem, and we were given a very informative and eye-popping tour of orchards, greenhouses, indoor-gardens and waterfall. A must-see!
Great Arboretum for beauty and information
We are the couple that recommended the Arboretum to tejas01. I had just purchased a new canon camera and wanted to go to the best plant tour on the island so I could take a lot of pretty plant photos. Our guide, Channin Bodden, recommended Blue Harbor Tropical Arboretum, so this is where we went. We were going to skip the hydroponics part since we had seen this at Disney World, but decided to go ahead and take this part of the tour, also, since we were there. I am so glad that we did. Helen is very knowledgeable about the process and is more than happy to give you any and all of the information that you ask for. She will take as much or as little time as is necessary to give you a great tour experience. This combined with the grounds portion of the tour took us right at two hours.
The grounds themselves are really lovely. There are so many beautiful and exotic plants and fruit trees. Helen lets you sample some of the fruits that are ripe. Many of these are so exotic that they are not even available in the markets. The whistling ducks in one of the new pen structures were a real treat. They even “whistled” for us.
The greenhouse with its lovely waterfall, many different types of orchids and other plants was quite beautiful. These photos are a highlight of my trip scrapbook album. If you are at all interested in plants and horticulture, I highly recommend you take the time to visit Blue Harbor tropical Arboretum.
Nice Place to visit
We did the hydroponic farm tour, very interesting tour. Never even knew Blue Harbor was on the island,luckily a lovely couple that was staying at the same place told us about it, glad we took their recommendation and visited.
Very educational visit
We had read about this place on Trip Advisor and after reviewing their website we knew we had to go! Our driver had never been there and even a local had a hard time finding the place. They are building a new entrance road that will make it much easier to find. This place was gorgeous and it was very interesting to learn how the hydroponic operation works. This is where every leaf of lettuce that is sold on the island comes from. This was a relaxing way to spend a few hours and learn something new.
Hidden gem
Don’t miss visiting this hidden gem. Helen is amazing and really knows her plants. It’s obvious that she loves what she does. Her passion is contagious.
Plan on spending a couple hours and you won’t regret it.
Thank you Big Al for taking us there and many thanks to you Helen for sharing your knowledge and passion with us!
Awesome display of native plant life
Helen was fantastic in taking time to show us the plants and gave us great detail about their history…and some even their medicinal uses for fighting cancer…
Great place – just needs a few signs!
This place in definitely worth a visit. The conservatory is beautiful and peaceful. The tour was very informative and being able to sample the fruit in season straight off the trees was great! We did have a little trouble finding it though. Coming from the east end, we did not see the sign for Mud Hole, so passed the dirt road and didn’t realize until we were in Sandy Bay. It’s pretty much the only “major” dirt road, so it was easy enough to find once we realized we’d passed it. I think there was a sign for Palmetto Bay at the road, but can’t be sure. Once you’re on the dirt road, you’ll pass a landfill on the left (don’t let this deter you)! The orchard is further down the road on the right side. A few signs directing you to the visitor parking would be great, as we went up the hill to the house before realizing it was wrong. We must have just been very directionally challenged on this day for some reason! The main parking area has a small gravel parking lot and hut at the entrance where you pay the tour fee.
Great afternoon with Ana
I had been in touch with Ana at the Arboretum prior to arriving and we had decided to do the tour on a Saturday when there were no cruise ships in so it would be a quieter tour. My wife and I showed up around 11.30 Saturday and Ana spent over 3 hours taking us on a wonderful tour, just my wife and I. Ana was so informative about all the plants, trees, fruit and flowers it was excellent to learn so much. We thanked her for the tour and only then did we realize that she should have finished work at noon so we felt so bad but she was just happy to conduct the tour and didn’t mind at least. I would say if you have any interest in gardens then make time to go and do this tour it will be so worth it. I would certainly go back if I visited Roatan again.
Great way to spend a couple hours
Heading out to the garden, my husband longing looked at the ocean with hopes of snorkeling instead of going on a garden tour! Lo and behold, HE was also enthralled by the tour Helen gave us introducing many exotic plants and fruits. We especially enjoyed tasting fruits that are not available to us in the US and seeing the hydroponic growing range for lettuces and herbs.
Our taxi driver, Alex had never been to the garden and was also enjoying the visit and took as many photos as we did.
Trying Tropical Fruit for the First Time
We are so grateful for this unique experience to try for the first time all the amazing tropical fruits and barriers! We had time to remember! Thank you Helen for devoting your time and knowledge and giving us a most amazing tour of the garden!
A Truly Tropical Time!
If you happen to be in Roatan, Honduras, and you have the opportunity to spend some time touring, I would highly recommend visiting the Blue Harbor Tropical Arboretum. With a very clever application of knowledge about growing plants with hydroponics, the owners are raising some 80,000 lettuce plants that supply the island with fresh leaf lettuces. Helen gave our student group a wonderful tour, and we left with visions of hibiscus and huge greenery dancing in our heads. A highlight was seeing the hummingbird nest!
Great Choice
We were on the Crown Princess and chose to skip the ships excursions and go to Blue Harbor. I emailed back and forth with Ana who said she would pick us up outside the gates of the pier area and gave me directions on how to find her . It is a long walk. They set it up that way so that cabs and tour companies who pay the pier can be the first to find cruisers at Mahogany Bay. We took a cab to the area outside. It was $4 and well worth it. Ana was allowed to drop us off inside the area when she took us back. The Arboretum is beautiful and interesting. All of the people looked like they loved what they were doing and were very hospitable and went out of their way to help us get around the grounds. Ana drove us around to see the West Bay area before returning to the port. I think this is a good activity for all ages. The fee is very reasonable. Nice bathrooms. It would be hard to push a wheelchair around but the area is flat. We thought we would go to a seafood restaurant at West Bay but nothing looked like something we wanted. It is more for fun at night for young people. Maybe one of the hotels or resorts would be better for eating.
Botanical treasure
A beautiful place to visit. The hydroponic farm was fascinating. We were given a guided tour through the botanical gardens and conservatory. Very personal and friendly guides. Our guide, Helen, was very knowledgeable about tropical fruits and trees. Gave us samples of the fruits that were ripe. Everyone seems very passionate about their work. The only minor negative was the travel arrangements. Make sure you set a time for meeting at the dock. We had some waiting time prior to our departure, and then again on the return trip.
Expectations surpassed
I rated this attraction highly based on value and the interaction we had with employees. While many of you would love this place, others might want to do a beach excursion. The pride that Anna and Helen take is the highlight of this tour. Ana, who attended university in the USA, picked us us promptly and gave us a narrated tour on our way to the arboretum. Her winning personality, exhuberance and local knowledge made the trip to and from the facility wonderful. If you are interested in local culture and civic activities, this is your perfect guide.
Helen, who does the tours at the arboretum, is just as dedicated and enthusiastic. Her knowledge of the trees, fruits, flowers, etc. is amazing and she expresses it with a passion.
The arboretum itself is quite nice with many native and imported tropical flowers and trees. While the work on expansion continues, and will for years I think, the facility is quite nice now. These are the kind of people I want to spend my money with.
I do not know how Ana can keep her schedule with all the hats she wears, but do your best to have her pick you up rather than taking other transportation.
Perfect Day Trip
Thanks to Ana and Helen for a wonderful excursion. We were in Roatan for the day from the Norwegian Dawn. Ana picked us up promptly at the port and gave us a wonderful tour of the island. Ana is a gracious and engaging host who quickly and thoughtfully introduced us to her beautiful island home. Helen shared with us her passion for hydroponic gardening and her skill and artistic touch with flora of all kinds in the conservatory and the orchard. We fell in love with Roatan and were inspired by the vision of Blue Harbor. Hopefully you’ll get to nibble on the matasabor and chase it in twenty minutes with a wedge of Persian lime. Incredibly sweet experience. Ana even went far above and beyond when she discovered our camera case that we had left in her vehicle. She returned it to the cruise ship clearly marked for us. Thanks Ana, Helen and all the staff for a great experience. We wish you all the best!
Learning all the plants
This is such a pleasant wonderful experience. Learning about all the plants, flowers of Honduras and seeing the beautiful property. definitely an excursion not to miss on Roatan.
We enjoyed the Arboretum very much!
We (2 adults, one teenage and my parents/two seniors at 75) visited Blue Harbor Tropical Arboretum during our January cruise. I first learned about it from this site and contact them via email. Our contact and host Ana responded to my inquires promptly. At the day of our visit, Ana greeted us outside of the cruise ship gate despite of a brief downpour. As we were driving to the Arboretum, Ana educated us about the arboretum and the island which was very interested.
We visited both the hydroponic vegetable green house and the tropical garden, as well as the plants along the walk path. As others have written, our host Helen did a great job explaining the process, answering our questions and picking fruits (if they are ripe) for our tasting. All of us (three generations) enjoyed our tour very much and it was one of the highlights of our trip.
After the arboretum visit, Ana drove us to the West Bay beech (for snorkeling) and picked us up after a few hours, then sent us to our cruise port. It was a very delightful and no stress day for us thanks to Ana’s kindness and accommodating. I strongly recommend Blue Harbor Tropical Arboretum if you visit Roatan, Honduras.
Really enjoyed the visit
The Blue Harbor Tropical arboretum in Roatan has a lot to offer to all nature lovers. It has a wide range of tropical plants, flowers, and tropical fruit orchards. Helen is a great tour guide, she will answer every question and sh full of energy. If you want to hike a little or go bird watching, this place is perfect. Bring walking shoes, binoculars, insect repellent, and camera.
I enjoyed the flowers and birds.
Highly recommend this visit!
Don’t miss Blue Harbor Tropical Arboretum
This was my favorite. We would not have known about Helen’s Arboretum if we hadn’t met a satisfied guest of hers at the Moho Chocolate in Belize City. What a treat! Helen Murphy’s enthusiasm for both Roatan and for botanical wonders made this 2-hour getaway the best excursion of our 7-day cruise. Imagine a 170-acre farm that includes all manner of exotic fruits, birds, and lovely, hilly terrain. We were there on the day the iguana enclosure was completed. One day later and we would have ben able to interact with baby iguanas. The parrot enclosure was almost complete. The arboretum has a 12-foot waterfall and hundreds of varieties of bromeliads, orchids, coffee, etc., under roof. She took us on a stroll of her manicured fruit orchard, sampling the succulent sweetness on our way. She even has a Mata Sabor plant which makes a bite into a fresh lime taste like sweet lemonade. THEN, we got a personal tour of the hydroponic lettuce buildings. 80,000 plants grown to supply the island resort restaurants. Everything on the farm was manicured and clean. Instead of taking a cab, Ana Svoboda, the CFO of Blue Harbor (and next door neighbor of the Arboretum), picked us up at the Coxen Hole cruise dock and drove us the few miles to the farm. Her commentary along the way augmented our experience. It’s so good to learn about the people and culture of an area. Her commentary, along with Helen’s expert, passionate discourse about the farm still resonate in my memory of the Caribbean. In addition to their work of bettering the island they love, they also support “Miss Peggy’s” Clínica Esperanza (Hope Clinic). Such great stories and experiences will live with me for a long time! Other pluses: Immaculate bathrooms, available snacks and beverages. Also, the price was so reasonable. $13 per person as compared to $100 per person for cruise ship shore excursions!
Blue Harbor was Unique and Lovely
We very much enjoyed our tour of the hydroponic garden, fruit orchard, lovely Arboretum and pond! Our tour guide, Helen gave us the opportunity to taste some of the fruit that was in season and gave us a GREAT tour of the hydroponic garden. The gardeners in our group were very interested in the way that it was set-up! This was one of those one of a kind stops, the tour was on pretty level ground and well set-up for the older members of our group. We all enjoyed our visit! We had a quick peak at a new attraction that they are putting in that I’m sure will add to the adventure. I believe that they are working on a couple of enclosures for iquana’s and birds. If I remember correctly, they will be using them for animals in need of rescue.
Thank you Helen and Blue Harbor – we will be talking about you for a long time!
Amazing place! Absolutely beautiful! Don’t miss it of you go to Roatan.
This attraction was the highlight of our entire cruise. If you enjoy plants and flowers this is a must see! We felt like we stepped into the Garden of Eden. The flowers and fruits were amazing and the hydroponics were fascinating! Absolutely beautiful. We never wanted to leave. The only recommendation I have is to write down the address to give to the taxi driver so they don’t get lost, but the drive is really pretty.
Get away to Nature
I highly recommend taking a tour of the gardens and arboretum at Blue Harbor. A wonderful getaway from all the tourist, one can see nature at its unspoiled best, Simply Beautiful !!! Its a two part tour one of the hydro phonic farm and green houses that produce many varieties of produce for the local hotels on the Island while creating jobs for the locals, very interesting. Second part of tour is the tropical Arboretum with a vast variety of lush tropical plants with a beautiful waterfall and large lake with ducks. Be sure and ask your guide to allow you to taste a kind of berry that is so very sweet and lushesh that when one eats anything else including lemon or limes they taste as sweet as the berry you ate long ago. Taxi service is easy from the port around $10 for 2 people, but if you email them at Blue Harbor they may be able to pick you up and bring you to gardens for a small fee which includes round trip worry free service. We loved it Thank you Jackie and Ana for a wonderful time, my mother and I enjoyed ourselves very much. contact them at info@blueharbortropicalarboretum.com Enjoy !!!!
What a delight!
What a wonderful spot, off the beaten path, yet totally accessible. I had the pleasure of visiting this arboretum while in Roatan as one of the ports of call on a recent cruise. It is fabulous. The grounds and greenhouse is a perfect example of eco-tourism at work. The tour included both the hydroponic lettuce/herb facility as well as the greenhouse and the planted tropical gardens. Helen is a fantastic hostess. Her knowledge of the plants is phenomenal! This site allowed me to learn so much about the flora in the area as well as enjoying many birds flitting through the trees and plants. Orchids, waterfall, hydroponic crops for resale to the restaurants and residents, pond stocked with fish, “pet” ducks fed by Helen . . . oh, my, I LOVED this excursion.
Helen is fantastic
We took a group off the cruise ship to bird in the lovely gardens. Everyone loved the grounds and it is amazing to see the changes over the past couple of years. Even though it was raining, everyone in the group loved the location. Helen was a gracious host and her knowledge of the plants is phenomenal.
Blue Harbor Tropical Paradise
I’ve visited Blue Harbor several times since the Tropical Arboretum was begun some two years ago. This week, I took my visiting family for a tour which included both the hydroponic lettuce/herb farm and the Tropical Arboretum. I was amazed by the changes in the number and size of the plants, just in the past year.
Owner Kenn George has increased the size of the Blue Harbor property to some 170 acres, which includes a large enclosed Conservatory featuring a 23 foot high wall of orchids, with a waterfall and stream winding through lush tropical trees and plants, all identified with name signs.
Diane, a very knowledgeable young Roatan woman, first toured us through the two shaded hydroponic buildings explaining how the many varieties of lettuce grown for Roatan residents and visitors starts with a seed and in seven weeks progresses to its harvest and distribution to local grocery stores and restaurants. Before leaving this area, the water recycling process was demonstrated, and the recycling of all waste materials into compost was explained.
After a stop for a cold drink, horticulturist extraordinaire, Helen Murphy, took us on a tour of the Tropical Arboretum…first through the Conservatory, then to the pond stocked with tilapia, with a stop for feeding the ducks…all the time explaining the origin of the plants and the comparison between varieties, such as the key lime vs. the Persian lime. The walk through the orchard wound through the fruit trees with more commentary by Helen on the origins and fruits of the trees, plus tasty samples of the carambola (star fruit) and Malay apples.
My family was thrilled with the experience and I highly recommend this venue for Roatan visitors, as well as residents. The tour takes about an hour and the fee is $13, which seems very reasonable for an experience of this quality.
A Kaleidoscope of Beauty and Color!
As local residents we were excited to visit the Arboretum and see the changes made since the Blue Harbor hydroponic lettuce farm was sold a few years ago. One fantastic addition to the “farm” on Mud Hole Road is Helen Murphy. When you talk about someone having a “green” thumb, it’s Helen.
Helen is the epitome of a master gardener/horticulturist – simply doing what she enjoys most. We met her years ago when she had her garden shop in LaCeiba and then visited when she relocated to Parrot Tree in Roatan. But even knowing her talents, we weren’t prepared for the sheer beauty and depth of her ever growing project.
Our tour started at the lettuce greenhouse, where various lettuces and herbs are grown without soil in a controlled environment in trays on raised tables. The nutritional needs are provided by cooled irrigated water that flows in under the plants. The tour includes seeing how lettuce grows from the seed stage to the harvesting. One of the best parts of living here or eating in the better restaurants is the fresh lettuce from Blue Harbor. It’s delivered in plastic bags to the stores several times a week – always fresh and so nutritious..
After leaving the lettuce area, Helen took over the tour and we walked to the beautiful tropical conservatory, stopping to see the many citrus trees on the way. We were totally amazed at the kaleidoscope of colors and collection of beautiful healthy plants and flowers from all over the world. The collection of orchids and heliconias is huge and so colorful. It was a real treat seeing our first ever ornamental banana plant and decorative pineapple plant on Roatan!
After leaving the conservatory, we visited the cute ducks and enjoyed seeing Helen talk and interact with them — they were very happy to see her and swam across the pond to us when we approached. Next was the fruit and nut grove. Of course we sampled some of the delicious and rare fruits (thank you Helen) – star fruit – gotta get one of those trees!
I’d highly encourage both locals and tourists to stop in and visit this unique attraction. It’s educational and very enjoyable!
Knowledge and Beauty
Amazing Tropicals in a beautiful setting. And very educational hands on learning of how hydro lettuce is made. Absolutely the freshest and purest way to grow greens. And these greens are sold fresh daily to all the local quality restaurants in Roatan. I honestly had some of the best salads I’ve ever had in my life on my visit. The taste and nutritional value you get from truly fresh greens just doesn’t compare to anything you’re accustomed to. I highly recommend a visit to Blue Harbor!
A Roatan MUST VISIT
Went last December and will be back this December. The amount of thought and care that has gone into this project is truly amazing and commendable. Great for birders and nature lovers in general. Bring binoculars and a good camera, and plan to stay a while: you won’t want to leave! Highly recommend it. Good for the soul!
Paradise within a Paradise
While visiting family friends who live in the are of Corozal (just a few minutes after Mud hole) we decided to pay Blue Harbor a short visit. We planned to stay for an hour but its beauty captivated us and ended up being there for almost 3 hours!!! It sure was worth it, do no regret a minute that passed by. There are so many different types of plants, they are all labeled which makes it fun to learn new facts about nature! Blue Harbor is a great place to see the beauty of tropical plants from Roatan. The pond at Blue Harbor gives it a tranquil vibe along with the funny ducks! It sure is a one of a kind place!
Congratse to Helen, the designer, for her hard and well payed-off work.
A great experience, very unique to Roatan.
A tour of Blue Harbor Tropical Arboretum is a great experience, you will learn about tropical plants and nature and experience it up close and personal. The grounds of the property are also an amazing place to relax and enjoy sometime away from everything. This is a must see for anyone visiting Roatan and a great option for sometime away from the beach and water. Be sure to check it out.
MUST-SEE tropical paradise unlike anything else on the island!
My friend and I visited Roatan recently and Blue Harbor Tropical Arboretum was our favorite experience by far. I’ve been fortunate enough to travel to some of the most beautiful, exotic places in the world (Barbados, Bahamas, Grand Cayman, Hawaii etc.) and nothing has compared to the natural beauty captured at Blue Harbor. The arboretum includes a HUGE greenhouse with plants from all over the world…think about the brightest, biggest heliconias, orchids and other tropical blooms you’ve ever seen, all under one roof. There’s also a gorgeous waterfall inside…makes for an especially great photo opportunity.
The staff at BHTA is also incredibly kind and knowledgeable. The horticulturist, Helen, is brilliant and leads excellent tours. Just outside the greenhouse are rows and rows of citrus plants, growing everything from lemons and limes to avocados and starfruit. SO MUCH TO SEE!
And…if you’ve never heard of hydroponics, you won’t soon forget about it after a visit to BHTA. Hydroponics is a revolutionary new way to grow things like lettuce and herbs above ground using water instead of soil. The plants grow in several different phases and are moved when they’ve outgrown their current phase. There are seven different types of lettuce alone in their facility and they provide most of the island’s best restaurants and hotels with their produce. Again, the tour guides do a wonderful job explaining how it all works. You can even take home some of the fresh and cleanly grown produce!
Finally, there is a duck pond which several children seemed to particularly enjoy. It’s huge! Overall, so much to do…makes for a wonderful morning or afternoon visit. Perfect balance to a day at the beach. Would highly recommend making it a priority on your next trip to Roatan!
Life Is Just A Tire Swing!
Heaven on earth, Blue Harbor is captivating! Simple as it sounds the first thing I noticed when we arrived was “the tire swing”, the swing brought back so many memories from childhood. I was hooked. Would definitely recommend a visit here! Time well spent in a beautiful peaceful setting with much good work in progress. I loved it!!! Would I visit again….Absolutely!
Beautiful and Peaceful
My friend and I took our 2 1/2 year old kids there. We got an amazing tour of the grounds which have citrus, avocado, local, and exotic fruit trees. Inside the Arboretum there are beautiful plants and ponds and even a huge water fall. The owner, Helene, gave us a person tour and even let the kids feed the ducks. She also sliced open some Star Fruit and Malay Apples for the kids to try. It was a really nice day over all. Next door at the Hydroponic farm the workers were roasting and shelling Cashews. It was cool to get to see them do it by hand and to learn a little about the process. Love it. If you are in Roatan and want a nice, gentle relaxing thing to do: go to Blue Harbor Plantation. It’s lovely. Notes:The bathrooms are sparkling clean and really nice. The paths are laid with gravel, so you COULD get a wheelchair through, but it would be difficult… but totally do able because there are no stairs. No food for sale, but cold drinks (soda, juice, beer) are for sale.
Beautiful tropical gardens
We went out to see the gardens one afternoon and were blown away by the beauty. We live on Roatan and will be lucky enough to go and visit every couple of months and take more people to see as it is a work in progress always growing and changing for the better. We had a personal tour from the designer Helen. She is fantastic with plants of every kind and so much knowledge. She has so many plans for future development. This is a really great way to see the beauty of tropical plants from Roatan. Most of the plants are labeled so it is fun to read and learn each name. There is a large pond which make the place seem so tranquil. There are many duck and they all know her name and comes when they here her.
Congrats Helen on a awesome place.
Tourists and Locals Alike…go see this beautiful addition to Roatan!!!!
Last Saturday we had the opportunity to see this new attraction on Roatan. It is located down the Mud hole Road at the same location as the Blue Harbor Plantation Hydroponic. We had a personally guided tour by Helen Murphy, a long time resident, renowned on the Island for her education, experience in the field of botany and her extensive knowledge of plant life on Roatan. What an experience! The grounds are beautiful and the conservatory building was, “WOW’! When the door opens it really is a surprise to see the well tended, well marked plants, the walkway, the amazing waterfall, and the unique, orchid wall!!!!! There are so many species of plant life and Helen’s knowledge base is unbelieveable. The orchard is full of fruits that we had never even heard of before. The Arboretum is a work in progress with more to come in the future. In the meantime tourists and locals alike should get out and see this wonderful asset to the Island…sure glad we did!!!
STUNNING!!!
My daughter and I started with the hydroponics tour and like most people I’ve bought hydroponic lettuce, basil and cilantro. We all have a general idea how its done but to actually see it and learn about it was so amazing. I had never really thought much about lettuce before but to be surrounded by row after row of the most beautiful perfect greens I had ever seen had me wishing for a bowl and some vinaigrette.
After the hydroponics tour we moved on to tour the rest of the property. Even as I think of it now I’m hard pressed to try to explain all of the amazing plants that we saw. It was like plants from a different planet…the colors, shapes and smells were not like anything I had ever seen. Flowers that looked like lobster claws and leaves that looked like they had been splattered with paint were some of my favorites. (I swear I saw the plant from the Adam’s Family)
We especially loved the waterfall, the misty pond and the wall of orchids. If they had a hammock and someone to bring us frosty drinks we would have stayed all week.
Out of all of the things we did this week on island this was our favorite. The people there were not only informative but welcoming and friendly. (it also had the nicest bathroom we saw all week)
A Tropical Garden worthy of World Travelers
On the island of Roatan Honduras a group of naturalists have captured the essence of tropical plants, in its best showcase for all to enjoy. The owner of Blue Harbor Tropical Arboretum has a fantastic addition to his already amazing hydroponic greens farming. For those not already tasting the best lettuce in the world, his greens serve the markets, restaurants and homes on this island with tender lettuces picked in the early morning, ending up on plates everywhere by lunch time. Have you ever tasted greens that fresh? You must come to Roatan for this alone.
As you travel out the Mud Hole Road, the gaily colored tropical plants along the road announce the entrance to the farm and arboretum. Take a tour of the most amazing display of tropical plants. You start in a large valley surrounded by lush forests, meandering along paths while hearing the island’s famed horticulturist share her knowledge of it all.
A very large green house sits next to a beautiful creek and large pond, tame ducks and for now one coot waddle close by hoping for a treat. Enter this large structure and be struck by the elegantly planned walkway along every variety of tropical plant imaginable and for more help, they’re all labeled. At one end is a large rock formation and water fall which feeds the circulating stream running down the middle of the building. On one wall from floor to the 22 foot ceiling the romantic orchids are displayed on branches that make a artists design on the special type wall.
One hundred years ago United Fruit Company brought exotic fruit trees to Honduras. They have been passed down over time and their ancestors are now growing along one side of the valley. Wandering the pathways, or sitting under an arbor, you will be fed by the serenity and beauty that equals any tropical collection of plants. It’s small in comparison to the famous gardens but has as much to see as any other, and shouts of the love of nature’s graceful gifts.
Best way to experience the Beauty of Roatans nature and Agriculture.
My Husband and I are the owners of Channin Bodden Tours , we visited the farm on our Anniversary last month in February. Knowing of my love for gardens my husband took me there to do a private tour of the new attraction , I fell in love with everything my eyes saw .
I saw trees , fruits and orchids that I haven’t seen in years , my husband and I being both fifth generation islanders were astonished by what the owner with the help other fellow locals has accomplished with the farm in the past year. Originally this was just a Hydroponic Farm growing and distributing Lettuces and herbs to local restaurants and supermarkets. The new owner whom We met at the farm has went all out , when it came to the farming and gardens of this place. It is ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL , I can’t say that enough. This attraction and project has captured the true beauty of our Roatan agricultural background . Anyone who is truly interested in learning about our True Roatan culture should be aware of how important the local fruits and veggies are to us locals here on Roatan.
This attraction ( Blue harbor Arboretum ) season by season , whether it be Mango , Cashew , Avocado , etc. Will give you a better recollection of how my Parents , my parents parents and so on have respected , farmed and lived off the land for generations . Our farming background and the knowledge of new Hydroponic farming combined will elevate our agriculture to Extreme levels that can change as well as preserve some of our old island customs.
I would recommend everyone who visits Roatan whether by Cruise ship or on Vacation to consider visiting this New Attraction. You will be amazed.
WOW
We had a very pleasant visit to the arboretum. The facility is very well layed out and has an extensive variety of plants. Our guide and Helen were extremely helpful and well educated on the names of plants and their growing habits. This a must see for Roatan residents as well as visitors.
Guided tour of beautiful tropical flora in a compact, flat and easily walked venue
Dianna was our enthusiastic guide who toured us through the clean and beautiful Blue Harbor facility. Our very favorite though, was the orchid house and where Helen contributed her vast knowledge of these colorful botanicals. A must-see for Roatan. We’d surely like to have toured the adjoining hydroponic lettuce and herb-growing operation BUT the fee was too high and explains our lower rating.
Lovely Garden, Pleasant Hostesses
We visited Roatan for a day via cruise ship. We stopped at Blue Harbor as part of our private tour of the island. We were greeted by the owner and a couple local guides. The owner is a native of New York and has lived in Roatan for 25 years. She is pleasant and well spoken; I am told she does a gardening radio show. As you might guess, she is very knowledgable about the plants and gardening. We were in Roatan on a rainy day, so we had a nice tour of the large, lovely conservatory (out of the rain). I loved seeing the tropical plants, especially the orchids. There was much more to see beyond that sheltered space if the weather had cooperated. I think this attraction will get better and better as it continues to develop.
The road to the Arboretum was a bit rough, and one in our party became a bit car sick…Most of the roads in Roatan seemed rough to me; this one might have been a touch worse than average.