Roatan’s
Naturism
Resort.
Paya Bay Resort.
History.
Bay Islanders Mervin McNab and Lurlene Cooper (who were residents of the minor port and south-side fishing town of Oak Ridge) spotted the property that is now Paya Bay Resort back in the 1970s. In the early 70s, there was not even a formal road to this pristine part of Roatan Island, only a walking trail. Realizing the beauty of the property and its potential for a future tourism development project the McNab-Coopers did land title research and began purchasing the property, starting with one lot, and then slowly purchasing adjacent lots until they were able to grow the property to its current size of 22 acres. The property eventually came to encompass practically an entire small peninsula that juts out from this northeastern section of Roatan.
Master Plan.
In the late 1970s and early 80s government authorities finally got around to constructing a dirt road to Roatan’s East End. During the 1980s, Mervin and Lurlene started putting the plans and ideas they had in their minds for a small resort on their gorgeous property to paper. They hired an architect from Tegucigalpa to create a master plan for the property’s development. They then started exploring sources of financing for the project. Finding financing was nearly an impossible task back in those days as Roatan’s tourism industry was in its infancy, and even the airport was just a dirt seaside airstrip in the Coxen Hole area that could only accommodate DC-3s and smaller aircraft. Despite tenacious perseverance during the 1980s, the McNab-Coopers were unable to find a financial institution that would assume the risk of financing their plans.
Initial Investment.
In the early 1990s, Mervin and Lurlene decided to mortgage fifty percent of their land holdings at Paya Bay to a bank in San Pedro Sula called La Vivienda de Sula, obtaining in return a bank loan for 450,000 lempiras (approximately US$60,000 at the 7.5 lempiras to US$1 exchange rate back then). The McNab-Coopers used these funds plus funds from land sales they made to begin the construction of facilities that would become Paya Bay Resort. They first built a bar & grill on the Big Beach area of the property, while simultaneously constructing the much bigger undertaking of the bluff top restaurant and multi-deck area that remains one of the centerpieces of the resort to the present day. The bar & grill on Big Beach began operations on September 1, 1993, thus marking the beginning of the operations of Paya Bay Resort (note that bar & grill facility on Big Beach was destroyed by hurricane Mitch in 1998, which hit the Bay Islands and the Honduras mainland as a Category 5 monster storm).
S.W.O.T.
The bluff-top, seaside restaurant was inaugurated in September 1994. The first rooms, the world-famous clifftop rooms, were inaugurated in August 1995 with first official room guests being visitors from El Salvador. In 1999, in partnership with scuba diving aficionados Joe and Susan Murray of Idaho, an onsite diving operation began at Paya Bay. A formal dive shop was built at the dock in 2000. Paya Bay functioned as a beach and dive resort until 2007, when The McNab-Cooper’s youngest son, Davinci McNab, joined the management of the resort and after doing a SWOT (strength, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis decided (with the consent of Lurlene) to begin changing the direction of the resort towards wellness, relaxation, yoga, and naturism. Present day Paya Bay is a resort catering to those seeking peace, relaxation, and communion with nature in a very open-minded, liberal, and spectacularly beautiful space.
Travel East.
About Paya Bay.
Paya Bay Resort is arguably Roatan's finest boutique hotel on Roatan’s East End. Without a doubt, the Paya Bay Resort grounds are world-class and like nothing else on Roatan. The resort is exotic, it enjoys some of the best views around, and the terrain is filled with outlooks and private cove beaches. The entire resorts sit on a sort of peninsula which lends itself to a private retreat.
Privacy.
Paya Bay offers a wide range of activities for families, couples, and individuals.
For years, guests have visited Paya Bay in search of privacy and relaxation. As a natural peninsula, Paya Bay lends itself to being a private destination and for that reason, the resort also provides naturism during certain times of the year.
Grow it.
Paya Bay is located on Roatan's east end. But, there is something about Paya Bay which guest must know before making the journey through an unpaved road to the east end. Paya Bay Resort is Roatan's topless and naturist beach. Roatan nude beaches are not common. In fact, Paya Bay is the only serious resort offering these experiences to an international audience. Distinguished clientele visit from all over the world for quality and private nudist experience in Roatan.
About Paya Bay.
Paya Bay Resort is a nature and leisure beach retreat. The boutique hotels offer a wellness experience through its private beaches, world-class customer service, and a variety of activities to bring mind and body into harmony. The views of the Caribbean are stunning from Paya Bay. Nature reigns supreme at Paya Bay Resort. Paya Bay aims to be in harmony with our natural environment.
Over the years, Roatan has slowly built a reputation as a top destination for the naturalist. More and more travelers visit Roatan's east end each year in search of "au naturel" alternatives. Write up are more frequent in a variety of publications but in particular in the naturist press.
Property Specs.
Paya Bay Resort sits on a spectacular 22 acres of Caribbean Sea coast peninsula. The Paya Bay peninsula juts out from the northeastern coast of Roatan Island. The property features very diverse terrains: Two natural beaches, private coves, cliffs, ridges, humongous rock formations, wetlands, and even a small island just offshore!
Resort Activities.
Plunge Pool.
Paya Bays Plunge pool sits on a private beach. Behind the pool is a two-story rock formation that towers above and behind the pool while on the other side are the clear waters of the Caribbean sea. The pool is a perfectly private place to toggle back and forward between the Caribbean sea and the refreshing waters of the pool. The views of the Roatan sunsets are amazing, and few places make for a better experience of the sunset.
The peninsula where Paya Bay sits is nearly 1/2 a mile in length. The shoreline is rocky with a few private beaches along the way. Big Beach is frequently visited by travelers and guest of other resorts. Other beaches on Paya Bay offer a more secluded experience.
Pigeon Cay.
During naturist week, Paya Bay organizes trips to one of Roatan's best-kept secrets, Pigeon Cay. The trip to this remote key sets the stage for snorkeling and sunbathing all-natural. Paya Bay is eager to listen and improve its service offerings. Staff at Paya Bay are liberal, open-minded, professional, and discrete.
Nature Reserves.
There are two nature reserves on the Paya Bay property. One of the reserves is a natural garden or Tropical Garden Reserve. Guest enjoy a variety of plants in the garden including palms, vines, cacti, and a plethora of bromeliads and orchids. The other natural reserve is the Wetlands Reserve, which is home to crabs, small rodents, birds, and lush green vegetation.
Partially Nude.
Paya Bay also caters to guest who might not subscribe to a full-nude experience. For this reason, they ask their guest to use minimal textiles while roaming about in common areas, such as the property's restaurant, main lobby, and walkways. Swimsuits and sarongs work just fine.
Naturism.
“Rebel, Connect, Rejoice.”
What is Naturism?
Nudist Beach
Clothing Optional
Topless Resort
It’s About Freedom.
Naturism is first of all about freedom. Freedom to experience life in your most natural state. We are born nude ànd then often taught through family, societal and cultural cues to be "ashamed" of our bodies. People who practice naturism are rebelling against the notion that our amazing bodies (regardless of what "shape" they may be in) should be a source of shame, rather our bodies should be a source of pride.
Naturism helps us to accept our bodies along with the imperfections whether they are real or imagined. With social nudity, you take away all the barriers that people use to separate themselves from others, and there is an immediate sense of belonging to the human race at its most basic and honest level. THIS is who I am. Naturism also encourages people to take better care of their bodies, because your body becomes your "Tarjeta de Presentación," there is nothing to hide behind.
Naturalism helps people psychologically to accept their bodies as they are and to be okay with the effects and changes in the aging process. My favorite thing about naturism is the sense of community you immediately feel with other naturists: we are people who dare to break through this cultural taboo and experience life in a whole new dimension. Also, once you swim nude, you'll NEVER want to wear a swimsuit again, you'll realize that the Universe intended us to swim in our birthday suites.
Comfort & Privacy
Zone & Comfort Levels.
Paya Bay sits on 22 acres. The property is one of a kind no only by Roatan standards but on a global scale. Peninsula provides breathtaking sceneries while protecting the privacy of its guest. There is a waterfront on three sides, and this lends itself to a zone system for everyone's comfort level. There are two natural beaches on Paya Bay's property. The private Bliss Beach is clothing optional. Topless sunbathing is always in fashion and allowed. Bliss Beach becomes 100% clothing optional during Naturist Weeks, or when the resort is reserved in full by naturist guests.
Paya Bay has designated areas of the property as clothing optional because of a growing number of naturist who visits the resort year round. Beautiful walkways connect the various zones on the property and make it a pleasure to get around on foot. Among the many noteworthy hangouts on Paya Bay is the Buccaneer Landing, which is a private cove. The cove is near the Alligator Head which is a rock formation on property that offers excellent swimming and snorkeling access. There are several hammocks knee deep in the water for guest to enjoy the secluded waters around Paya Bay.
Naturalist Week.
Making Reservations.
Naturalist week is a time reserved for people who are in search of a fully nude beach. Paya Bay encourages only the naturist to make reservations during this week. What sets Naturalist Week apart, lies in the events. Special events are put on to entertain guest. For example, Pay Bay will organize a sunset cocktail party at the Buccaneer Landing. Further, they normally host a tribal beach party on Lil'Bay Beach. There is also a naturalist excursion to Pigeon Cay. During this week, minimal clothing is required in the resort lobby and common areas. That said, during this week, it is not uncommon to find guest walking from their rooms to the beach fully nude.
Paya Bay Inquiries.
Camp Grounds.
Bliss Beach.
Undoubtedly the crown jewel of Paya Bay Resort is Bliss Beach. This natural, white-sand beach is located in a small half-moon bay between two massive rock formations. Bliss Beach has been voted one of the Caribbeans top ten most beautiful private beaches. Paya Bay Resort offers an unparalleled sense of the freedom for our guest to enjoy. Paya Bay allows topless sunbathing. During Naturist Week Bliss beach becomes 100% clothing optional. Few places on the planet offer this ideal combination of beauty, privacy, and freedom. Paya Bay's Black Iguana beach bar features a plunge pool. The Pool is shaded with semi-shaded decks, lounge areas, and showers. Black Iguana Bar enhances the user-friendliness of this beautiful Caribbean beach.
Buccaneer Landing.
The best way to describe the serene lagoon area known as Buccaneer Landing is as a "symphony." A symphony where nature, sky, sea, views, light, freedom, privacy, serenity, and cutting-edge design come together to create a place of extraordinary beauty. A small bridge connects the private islet in the center of the lagoon to the property's main promenade. The cove at Paya Bay has beautiful ridges and rock formations on three sides. These structures provide a naturally private experience. The side of the peninsula facing the open ocean, however, opens up dramatically to frame the sea and the sky around Paya Bay. Beautiful and contemporary shaded cabanas nicely complement the abundant natural beauty of Paya Bay Resort.
Nature Trails.
A network of nature trails and paths runs throughout the property, making all the tropical nature, the spectacular views, and natural beauty easily accessible and fun to explore. While exploring the Sky Trail, you will come to the Ananda Yoga Pavilion. This yoga and meditation facility is respectfully nestled into pristine nature on a privileged, breezy location atop one of the highest points on Paya Bay's property (some seven stories above sea level). The pavilion features 1,200 square feet of unobstructed floor space and can accommodate up to forty movement practitioners. With views that take your breath away, the pavilion is undoubtedly one of the top yoga and movement facilities in the Central American Caribbean!
Chill-out Stations.
These are just some of the highlights of the amazing property guests enjoy at Paya Bay. Also, you will also be constantly surprised to discover our many “chill-out stations,” amazing spots with names like Zen Rock, Vista Linda, and The Edge of the Universe. All in all, you will quickly understand why many consider Paya Bay Resort to be the most beautiful property on Roatan!
Where is Paya Bay Resort?
