Arrrr!...
I've always wanted to write that. There's something cool about pirates. They dress cool, and they talk cool (here's a quick lesson in pirate speak if you're interested). As hard as it is for me to admit, Johnny Depp probably had a lot to do with our current fascination with pirates. But other aspects of popular culture have helped too... like rum, for example.
Captain Morgan Was a Cool Pirate
Henry Morgan was born in Wales around 1635. He was an Admiral of the English Royal Navy, a privateer and a pirate. Most infamous for his unclear role in the burining of Panama and most famous for the rum company that carries his name, Morgan was a very successful pillager and plunderer and stands tied for #8 on the Forbes list of top-earning pirates (yes, there is such a list here). He was ultimately knighted and served as the Lieutenant Governor of Jamaica before his death on August 25, 1688. Admiral Sir Henry Morgan was in his mid-50s.
Did Captain Morgan Ever Take a Roatan Vacation?
I have no idea. A little bit of research on the web uncovers no evidence that the famous British privateer ever set foot on Roatan let alone lived here. It is clear that pirates generally inhabited Roatan in significant numbers and for a significant period of time (Roatan's capital city of Coxen Hole is named after the pirate Captain John Coxen), and it is equally clear that, in the words of the rum company's brief on its namesake, Captain Morgan "rocked the Caribbean" for many years. We just can't be sure he did so on Roatan.
But let's not let the facts get in the way of a good blog post.
What We Know and Don't Know About Captain Morgan
According to several web sites, the good Captain did visit the Bay Islands. The fact that these web sites are all affiliated with Roatan tourist businesses should not concern you. It's possible he stayed on Roatan.
Wikipedia does not mention Roatan in its entry on Captain Morgan, but hey, who said Wikipedia is the source of all knowledge. Just because the Internet doesn't confirm he was there, doesn't mean he wasn't. It's possible.
17th century technology being what it was, we are unable to account for Captain Morgan's whereabouts for long stretches of time during which... he might have been hanging out on Roatan. It's possible.
So, let's just agree that it's at least possible Captain Morgan went to Roatan.
The Best Roatan Vacation for Pirates of all Eras
Which brings us to the obvious question: If Captain Morgan visited Roatan - where did he stay? Fortunately for us, the answer to this question requires no Internet research, just good, old-fashioned common sense.
Pirates like the finer things in life. And pirates like to party and enjoy themselves. They eat, drink and be merry (apparently pillaging towns helps pirates be merry). They don't just lay on beaches or hang out in hotel bars. They also don't golf (as far as we know) or sun themselves by the pool. So between the three most popular Roatan vacation options (West Bay, Pristine Bay and West End), it's obvious Captain Morgan stayed in West End. Just like today, there was a lot more to do, a lot more places to eat and even a few drinking establishments ;) where the good Captain could... um... get a captain.
And if they had been built then, Captain Morgan would almost certainly have anchored at the most popular Roatan vacation rentals, Coral Vista Villas. They're the nicest places to stay in West End and, if you're a pirate, you don't always have to pay full price.
So if you're planning a Roatan vacation, give us a shout, because Coral Vista Villas rock the Caribbean, and West End is the best place to stay if you got a little captain in ya.
