Roatán was one of those best-kept secrets known only to scuba divers and snorkelers when I first visited it in the 1990s. A skinny little island off the north coast of Honduras, it sits on the world’s second-largest coral reef, an underwater paradise stretching 625 miles along the coasts of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras. With its white-sand beaches, clear waters and friendly people, Roatán couldn’t remain undiscovered, but it is still one of the Caribbean’s better preserved and more eco- conscious destinations. It is not entirely immune to hurricanes, but it lies to the west of most major storm tracks.

PHOTO: © SEAN MORITZ/ ANORANZA ROATÁN

And it has a golf course! Not a simple, forgettable track to knock around on when you’ve had enough time underwater but a gem that would be a hit almost any place in the world. In 2010 Pete Dye and his son Perry crafted this spectacular tropical layout in the hills above the island’s scenic French Harbour. It is the centerpiece of an upscale community, Pristine Bay.

Roatán is a mountainous island with a spine running down its center, and the Dye duo took full advantage of the elevation changes. Fourteen fairways have views of the ocean and the famous reef just offshore.

As Perry’s daughter Lucy Bowman said, “The Black Pearl is not just a place to play golf; it’s a place to truly connect with the spirit of the island. Every hole is a new adventure, with the shimmering Caribbean Sea and vibrant landscapes setting the stage for a truly captivating round.”

Perry, who died in 2021, grew up under the influence of his parents’ designing creativity (and occasional quirkiness). He made a name for himself internationally, with courses in 15 countries. He was known for his eco-friendly layouts like the Black Pearl with its salt-tolerant seashore paspalum grass and easy maintenance. The course, also a natural sanctuary, boasts 100,000 trees and plants and an abundance of wildlife.

If you arrive in Roatán on a cruise ship, chances are you’re not packing your golf equipment. No worries. The Black Pearl clubhouse has rentals, a covered driving range where you hit balls into a lagoon, and a full menu of tropical drinks and food.

In a nod to the Dye legacy, the course features a dramatic island green on Hole 11. Here’s a description of it and a few other holes on the 7,064-yard, par-72 layout (73.1/117).

HOLE 3
205 yards, par 3
Chances of making par are slim if you don’t reach this elevated green. Fall short and the ball will roll down and back toward the tee as much as 40 yards. A miss to the left will trickle down to deep bunkers 25 to 35 feet below the putting surface. The green is a large target but undulating, so getting into birdie range proves difficult. The hole earns its ranking as fifth hardest.

HOLE 7
179 yards, par 3
Another difficult par 3, the seventh hole also features a large, diabolically sculpted green. Humps on the left side of the putting surface can send your ball off the green and into a deep depression on the right side. Even if you stick the green, the mounds put your putting skills to the test.

HOLE 9
498 yards, par 4
Ranked the hardest hole on the course, this is obviously a challenging par 4, and not only because it happens to be the longest. The drive is uphill into trade winds, leaving a long second shot with wet areas on the left and right — and a narrow green sloping front to back.

HOLE 11
160 yards, par 3
The signature hole drops almost 100 feet to an island green circled by a sand bunker. It’s a beautiful vista from the tees, with emerald fairways contrasting with the azure Caribbean on the horizon. Set in a large pond, the green seems to shrink as you address your ball from the elevated tees. However, the sand collar makes this a kinder hole than it appears. It’s a sharp uphill chip from the bunker, but at least your birdie/par hopes stay alive.