A dream vacation resort perched on a rock with 360° views of Sandy Bay, Guanaja, and surrounding cays…
The unique resort of Villa on Dunbar Rock blends beauty, serenity, and something unidentifiably special in a laid-back, inviting atmosphere. Once a private villa, the property rises from the sea-level white sand beach and PADI dive center up four levels to areas that include nine oceanfront rooms and two suites, all with private patios or balconies. There are multiple terraces for lounging, an infinity pool and pool bar, a cardio/massage room, and a Great Room with a comfortable living/dining area.
The 15,000-square-foot property is spread across 4 floors. The ground level provides access to a private white sand beach perfect for lounging, swimming, snorkeling, and diving. Dunbar Rock’s PADI/SSI dive center is located just off the dive docks. A set of wide stairs leads to a roomy terrace (perhaps a future herb garden?) before passing a landing area with a central courtyard, then on to the 2 main levels which house guest rooms and common areas. There are any number of different areas to which one can “escape” if seeking isolation or congregate if feeling social.
Guanaja’s fringing reef is a protected marine reserve making it an ideal spot for scuba diving and snorkeling nearly anywhere offshore the mainland. Part of a volcanic and coral mountain range called The Bonacca Ridge, Guanaja marks the beginning of the second largest barrier reef in the world – the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. It offers a mixture of pinnacles, vertical walls, lava tunnels, and wrecks including the nearby Jado Trader, one of the most sought-after wrecks in the Caribbean. It also boasts nearly every species of coral growing in the Caribbean Sea, including several species of rare black coral, and sponges of all colors, shapes, and sizes. Concierge dive services enable guests to fully enjoy the splendor of Guanaja’s coral reef system featuring dives on pinnacles, walls, and the wreck of the Jado Trader. Dunbar’s warm and welcoming staff members are committed to going above and beyond. They make sure every guest leaves feeling like they have had the vacation of a lifetime.
The “rock” on which the Villa is built is surrounded by flats perfect for snorkeling and extremely shallow water shore diving. If shore diving in 8′ – 10′ of water is okay in your book, the dive is a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Besides, it certainly won’t interfere with your safe dive profile! The rocks and coral heads that encase the circumference of the Villa are home to many juvenile fish, including drums and queen angelfish. Purple sea fans wave in the shallows in every direction. Schools of squid hang midway in the water column with Needle Fish just under the surface. This is all to be seen just steps off the sandy beach. Moreover, you can dive in as often as you wish. Tanks for shore diving the house reef are included free of charge in your dive package. It is also a great area to pop into for a familiarization dive and snorkeling is superb as well! Villa on Dunbar Rock is dedicated to responsible social and environmental business practices that include water conservation, energy reduction, proper waste disposal, use of mooring buoys, and respect for local cultures, laws, and regulations.
In their continuing effort to make a difference, especially to the ocean environment, they are an active Conservation Partner with REEF.org. Guests have opportunities to engage in survey dives and lionfish removal. Cabanas on Clark’s Cay and Villa on Dunbar Rock are involved in many other different ocean conservation initiatives and work closely with the government to contribute above and below the water. On March 8, 2016, Guanaja’s first hyperbaric chamber and clinic (Clinica Hiperbarica) opened made possible through a grant from DAN and the generous contributions from the owner of Clark’s Cay/Dunbar Rock and a close associate.
Be sure to carve out some time above water to enjoy other activities which include stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking, snorkeling, and wave runners. Just as Guanaja is one of the best-kept diving secrets in the Caribbean, the same can be said for its fly-fishing. Though it offers some of the most pristine and untouched permit and bonefish flats in the Caribbean, you’re not likely to be sharing the flats with any other anglers other than those fishing with experts from Fly Fish Guanaja. Fly Fish Guanaja is a catch-and-release operation that takes nothing from the resource.
