A major fire struck Fantasy Island Beach Resort Dive & Marina on the night of 2 March, damaging significant sections of the property and forcing the evacuation of guests and staff.
The incident took place in French Harbour, one of the island’s main tourism hubs on Roatán, a Caribbean destination known for its easy access to the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef.
Early reports from local authorities indicate that while parts of the resort suffered extensive damage, the on-site dive centre appears to have escaped the fire.
Around 60 guests and staff were safely evacuated during the incident and relocated to other accommodation on the island. Authorities have reported no casualties.
sdm. quick facts
- Fire at Fantasy Island Beach Resort Dive & Marina on 2 March
- Approximately 60 guests and staff evacuated and moved to another hotel on Roatán
- Fire crews worked several hours to bring the blaze under control
- No injuries or fatalities reported
- Significant damage to resort facilities
- Dive centre area reportedly unaffected
Images above: LaPrensa
What happened at the Fanatsy Island Beach Resort?
Local emergency services, including the Honduras Fire Corps, responded to the fire and coordinated the evacuation while crews worked to contain the blaze.
Preliminary reports suggest the fire spread through a broad section of the resort’s central infrastructure.
Facilities reported as affected include 36 of the resort’s 108 guest rooms, along with key public areas such as the lobby and reception. The resort’s restaurant and kitchen facilities were also damaged, along with several bars, a discotheque, and the convention area used for events and group travel.
Retail areas and beach-shade structures were also impacted.
The property was reportedly not operating at full occupancy at the time of the fire, which helped simplify evacuation procedures and allowed staff to move guests quickly to safety.
Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing.
This video on Youtube from Tim Blanton show the devastating aftermath of the fire.
Dive operations: what we know so far
The resort hosts a PADI 5-Star dive centre, offering boat and shore diving around Roatán’s portion of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the world’s second-largest coral reef system.
Initial information from local authorities and resort sources indicates that the dive-centre area itself was not damaged by the fire.
That includes the dive shop and operational facilities, although it remains unclear whether supporting infrastructure such as gear storage, compressors, or dock access may have been indirectly affected.
Resort management has indicated that it intends to resume operations as soon as possible, prioritising guest and staff safety while assessing damage and rebuilding affected facilities.
What this means for divers with bookings
If you have a dive trip booked at Fantasy Island, the most practical approach right now is to verify the situation directly with your operator or travel provider.
Even when a dive centre itself remains intact, the surrounding infrastructure of a resort plays a major role in daily operations.
Travellers should confirm whether their booking is being relocated to another property, rescheduled, or refunded. With accommodation capacity reduced, the resort may temporarily operate with fewer guests and potentially fewer dive departures.
It is also worth clarifying exactly what “dive centre unaffected” means operationally. Boats and dive staff may be available, but changes to logistics, such as transport, equipment storage, classrooms, or dock access, can still affect the dive schedule.
Divers should also review their travel insurance coverage, as policies often include provisions for disruption caused by fire or major property damage. Keeping records of any additional expenses or changes can help when making a claim.
For those already on Roatán, the key step is confirming where guests have been relocated and how dive operations, including pickups, equipment handling, and boat departures, will be organised in the short term.
Roatán diving continues elsewhere on the island
While the fire has disrupted operations at Fantasy Island, diving across Roatán continues as normal at many other resorts and independent dive centres around the island, so if you’re heading that way, there’s no need for panic.
The destination remains one of the Caribbean’s most established dive locations, with dozens of sites ranging from shallow coral gardens to steep reef walls along the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef.
For travellers planning upcoming trips, the situation is likely to evolve as damage assessments continue and the resort determines how quickly parts of the property can reopen.
sdm. knowledge
Fantasy Island Resort Fire
No injuries or fatalities have been reported. Around 60 guests and staff were evacuated safely.
Early reports indicate the dive centre itself was not damaged by the fire, though surrounding resort infrastructure may still affect operations.
Reports indicate damage to 36 guest rooms, the lobby, restaurant and kitchen, several bars, a discotheque, convention areas, shops, and beach-shade structures.
Divers with bookings should contact their operator or travel provider directly. Trips may be relocated, rescheduled, or refunded depending on availability and operational status.
