Black Pearl at Pristine Bay

The long, narrow island of Roatán lies just off the north coast of Honduras and it’s one of the larger islands that make up the Bay Islands Department of the Central American country.

The Pristine Bay resort is located on the north side of the island and this impressive residential development first opened its doors to investors in 2010, citing the Black Pearl golf course as its star attraction.

A round here starts alongside the Caribbean Sea then holes move inland to the rolling hills of French Harbour - fourteen of the fairways offer wonderful views of the Meso-American Barrier Reef - before the routing returns golfers to the seaside clubhouse.

Designed by Perry Dye, son of Pete Dye, Black Pearl is, above all else, a fun course to play. “It’s what I call bohemian golf – the architecture is relaxed,” says Perry Dye. “For instance, I left a few trees in the middle of fairways, just for giggles.”

And in case you were wondering, you’ll find a trademark – almost obligatory – Dye island green at the 160-yard 11th. A little more forgiving than its counterpart at the 17th on the Stadium course at Sawgrass, this putting surface is surrounded by a necklace of beach bunker sand that allows a recovery to be played when tee shots narrowly miss the target.