Typical Tourist
Activities on Roatan Island
| Home | Vacation Rentals | Tourist Guide | Dive Programs | Dive Sites | Maps | Site Index | Search |
What do people do when they visit Roatan?
There are many things to do on Roatan and be sure to bring your camera. Listed below is only a small sample of the typical activities that cruise ship passengers and weekly visitors enjoy. If you purchase a "sim" card for you cell phone or have cell phone service, you might want to check or telephone directory numbers and web sites of many of the common tourist locations. The phone numbers listed below are local Honduras numbers.
|
|
Scuba diving is readily available on the island and walk-in visitors do not need a reservation. There are many independent dive operators in West End and they will be happy to see you. There are several resorts that offer cruise ship passenger shore excursion packages. For those do it yourself excursions, head to West End. |
|
|
Find a remote beach to relax on or join the rest of the cruise ship crowd at West Bay and West End. There are a lot of beaches in Roatan and you will have a lot of fun exploring and snorkeling at any of the sandy beaches. |
|
|
The barrier reef is the second largest in the world and is only a 150 feet from the end of Sunnyside’s pier at Spooky Channel. The barrier reef is protected as a Marine Reserve in the northwestern tip of Roatan. A large variety of marine life will be seen while snorkeling and diving in this area. Click on dive location for a map of the popular dive sites on western tip of Roatan and information about a new Dive and Snorkel Guide of over 78 dive locations in Roatan. | |
|
|
Deep sea fishing and flats fishing. This link will give you more information and links for reservation requests for fishing. |
|
|
|
At the Carambola Botanical Gardens and nature trails you’ll find a protected iguana and parrot breeding cliff, as well as some archaeological sites dating back to Mayan times. Be sure to ask for a guide as this will make your experience here a lot more informative as the plants are not well marked. The Garden is located on the main road near Anthony's Key Resort in Sandy Bay. The garden is open 7 days a wek from 7 AM to 5 PM. Their phone number is 445-3117 and email is carambolabg@yahoo.com or www.carambolagardens.com |
 |
Ocean kayaking is a popular activity on Roatan. Rentals can be found at some resorts and in West End at Cannibal Cafe. While you are there, you might as well stay for Mexican food for lunch or dinner. Good food and low prices! Contact them at online@globalnet.hn or 445-4046. |
|
|
Visit the Butterfly Garden with approximately 200 butterflies and 20 different species which are native to Honduras. The Butterfly Garden is located along the main road just before arrive in West End. Contact them at www.roatanbutterfly.com or 445-4481. |
|
|
Watch the dolphin show at the Institute for Marine Sciences. Swim with the dolphins at Anthony’s Key Dive center in Sandy Bay. You might even get a kiss from "Bob". Contact them at www.anthonyskey.com or 800 227-3483 (US number) or 445-3003. |
|
|
Roatan Institute for Marine Sciences (RIMS) and the artifact museum of local history at Anthony's Key Resort in Sandy Bay. Here you will find Mayan and Payan history and artifacts. The RIMS facility is open 7am until 5pm Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm on weekends. Contact them at www.anthonyskey.com/en/rims/rims.html or 800 227-3483 (US number) or 445-3003. |
|
|
Horseback riding on the beach and in the hills is available from Keifetos Resort in the West Bay area. Water taxis or regular taxis can get you to Keifetos. Horses are also available in Sandy Bay and at Anthony's Key Resort. El Rancho Barrio Dorcas is located on the road to West End near Gibson Bight. El Rancho Barrio Dorcas does have cruise ship offerings. Contact them at www.barriodorcasranch.com or cell phone of 9555-4880 or email at RoosMaten@gmail.com. If you are in the West Bay area, then Keifito's Plantation is your choice for horse back riding with a guide. More information at keifitosplantation.com. |
|
|
Coral Cay Marine and Nature Park is on a 10 acre cay adjacent to a 60 acres of a mainland park with surrounding mangroves. It has 700 ft of beach front and offers activities where the visitors will be able to interact with marine species such as eagle rays, turtles, nurse sharks, and other sea creatures. Additionally other activities will be offered such as snorkeling, kayaking, massages and other water sports. More information can be found at www.coralcayroatan.com |
|
|
Stanley Submarine Adventure is for the serious underwater explorer. The two hour adventure cost $500 per trip for two passengers goes to depths up to 2500 feet. Contact Captain Karl Stanley through this web site or by visiting him in person at Half Moon Bay Cabins. Options include dives up to half a mile deep, on a shipwreck, to underwater canyons, on a seamount, overnight baiting trips, or simply picking a spot on the chart and seeing what's there. Contact them at www.stanleysubmarines.com or cell phone 3359-2887. |
|
|
Explore the island by rental car and visit local villages, flower farms, and remote beaches. Rental cars are available from Toyota, Avis Caribbean Rent A Car. There are 17 rental car companies on Roatan. Rent a local cab for the day and do an island tour. You could visit the Iguana Farm, Marble Hills Farm, Jonestown, Oakridge and/or the mangrove tunnels, and Las Plamas for shopping. Contact them at www.caribbeanroatan.com or at 455-6950 or 455-6951 or 786 380-4449(US number). |
 |
Take a tour to the Iguana Farm near French Key belonging to islander Sherman Archer where you can see more than 2,700 iguanas of many varieties. He also has lobster, tarpon, and turtles in a large pen area at the water side. $8/person admission charge. Telephone 445-7743 or 445-7482. |
|
|
Visit Jonesville where a dory water taxi takes you through the mangrove tunnels. There are several small shops in Jonesville with hand made local crafts. Tours can be arranged through Casi Todo tours. Send an email to averyl@globalnet.hn |
|
|
|
Santé Wellness Centre |
Enjoy the following: aromatherapy, four handed massage, reflexology, seated chair massage, lymphatic drainage, European facials, fruit acid facial peels, thalassotherapy body wraps, and therapeutic massages [Swedish, Lifestream, Deep Tissue, Tui-Na (Chinese Sports), Le Stone (Hot Stone)]. Be sure to contact her in advance of your arrival santedayspa@yahoo.com or at www.santewellnesscenter.com or 510 455-4232 (US number). |
|
|
Capt Van's Motorcycles is located in West End and West Bay. Rent a bicycle motor bike, or scooter for the day and tour the island. Be sure to say hello to Murray when you are there. Tell them this web site sent you there. Contact them at www.captainvans.com or 403-8751. |
 |
At Yubu the visitors will learn about the
descendants of the Garifuna, their history, journey and arrival in
Honduras. You will experience the music,
songs and dance styles of the Garifuna people which play an important
part in their ancestral traditions and are an integral part of their
culture. Yubu is located at Politilly
Bight, just before the entrance to the Garifuna village of Punta Gorda
(about 20 minutes out of French Harbour). It is open every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 AM - 3 PM, entrance fee is $5 per person. |
|
|
Bay Island Airways allows the visitor to create their own tour. Be sure to bring your camera. They also provide inter island travel. US
Contact Information
011-504-946-5665 |
 |
Fins and Flippers (operated by Anthony's Cay Resort) offers swimming, snorkeling, shopping, food, etc on a small island off the end of the airport runway. They have two secluded beaches, a 70,000 gallon swimming pool, a 5,000 square foot lounge deck and garden paths. Their boats will pick you up at the cruise terminal for a short 5 minute ride to the island. You won't see much of Roatan on this excursion but it is an inexpensive way to just "hang" in a tropical location. The best water activity may be by the pool. You can make reservations on their website at www.finsandflippers.com or contact them at 800-227-3483 or (954)-929-0090 |
|
Many cruise ship passengers will find Bodden Tours (bus tours) as an excellent way to see the island. They have a good reputation for their service at reasonable rates. Check their web site for more information at www.boddentours.com/tours.htm Contact them at their web site and arrange a custom tour to fit your needs and avoid all the hassles of negotiating a tour upon your arrival. Other information on tours is listed at Island Tours : Fishing, Bus, Air, Taxi, Power Boat and Sailing |
|
 |
Water taxi service is convenient and easy between West End and West Bay. The fare is 50 Lempiras during the day. Look for the dock near Foster's Bar or Crystal Beach Cabins in West End. The return trip from West Bay has two pickup spots and you'll easily recognize where to catch a ride. Water taxis will go to other areas and be sure to confirm the fee before taking the trip. |
|
Do It Yourself Excursions |
The main port is located in Coxen
Hole for the cruise ships. Walking around the port and into Coxen Hole is
very easy. Coxen Hole does not offer a lot for the tourist. The dock
port area shops do not offer much other than "imported" trinkets aka junk that
will make you wonder why you bought it in a few weeks. However, there are
some real hand carved wood items from the mainland. If it is highly
polished, it is probably not from Honduras. If you are an adventure
traveler, then a quick walk into town and catching the mini bus to other island
locations should be considered. Check the tours vs taxi information before
venturing out. Also, port information and some links to do it yourself
excursions can be found at
www.portofroatan.com.
There are excursion agencies besides the tour on the ship but with a little
research you will find direct links to most tourist activities with web sites
and phone numbers on this web site. You can find a "contact us" link on
the web sites linked here and you will be able to contact the activity of
your choice without any middleman! However, if you just want to book
an excursion, then the agents at
www.roatancruiseexcursions.com or
www.tropicalrez.com/
are two booking web sites that can assist you.
Note: We do not "book" or make
reservations for the above activities. |
