Tourist
Activities on Roatan Island
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What do people do when they visit Roatan?
There are many things to do on Roatan, be sure to bring your camera. Listed below is only a small sample of the typical activities that cruise ship passengers and visitors enjoy. If you purchase a "sim" card for you cell phone or have cell phone service, you might want to check our telephone directory. Also check web links of the tourist attractions. The phone numbers listed below are local Honduras numbers. Cell numbers have 8 digits.
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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 the do-it-yourself excursions, head to West End. |
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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. |
| There are several choices for zip line adventures. Two are in the Wet Bay area. Gumbalimba Park and the South Shore Canopy Tour. East of French Harbor is the popular Pirates of the Caribbean Canopy Zip line. They will pick you up at the cruise dock or hotel. Palmetto Hill has 20 platforms, swing bridges, and a climbing wall |
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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. | |
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Deep sea fishing and flats fishing. This link will give you more information and links for reservation requests for fishing. |
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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 |
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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! |
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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, open Sunday through Friday 9-5. Contact them at www.roatanbutterfly.com. |
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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 445-3026. |
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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 445-3026. |
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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. |
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Stanley Submarine Adventure is for the serious underwater explorer. Trips range from 1-1/2 to 4 hours and prices range from $400 to $1200. 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 |
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Explore the island by rental car and visit local villages, flower farms, and remote beaches. Rental cars are available by the airport at Coxen Hole, West End or French Harbor. Avis, Budget and several local companies rent cars, trucks or SUV's for daily or weekly rentals. You could tour the island, visit the Iguana Farm, Marble Hills Farm, Jonestown, Oakridge, West Bay, mangrove tunnels, etc. Contact www.caribbeanroatan.com or at 455-6950 or 455-6951. |
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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. There is an admission charge. Telephone 445-7743 or 445-7482. |
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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. |
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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). |
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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. |
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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). Check
locally before going. It is open every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 AM - 3 PM, entrance fee is $5 per person. |
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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 |
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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, Air, Taxi, Power Boat and Sailing |
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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. |
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Do It Yourself Excursions |
There are 2 cruise ship ports in Roatan. The Roatan port is located in Coxen Hole. Mahogany Bay (Carnival Cruise ships) port is 4 miles east of Coxen Hole. Walking into Coxen Hole from the Roatan port is very easy. Coxen Hole does not offer a lot for the tourist. However, there are some 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 and 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. |
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Maya Key (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 70000 gallon swimming pool, a 5000 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.mayakeyroatan.com or contact them at 800-227-3483 or 504-9995-9589 |
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Mahogany Bay is the latest project for Carnival Cruise Lines. The 2000 passenger Carnival Legend, 3070-passenger Crown Princess. and 2974-passenger Carnival Valor were in port recently. More than five years in development, and two years under construction, the Mahogany Bay Cruise Center encompasses 20 acres of waterfront property and includes a two-berth cruise terminal that can accommodate up to 8000 passengers daily. It is a joint project of Carnival and Roatan's businessman Jerry Hynds. The $62 million project will have all the conveniences and amenities to service guests that will arrive aboard the Carnival ships. Mahogany Bay expects about a half a million tourists from the 200 cruise ships that arrive in Roatan each year. In addition to a welcome center, there are two theme bars, a restaurant and several shops. At the transportation hub you will find taxis, rental cars tour buses, and shore excursion tours. Unique to Mahogany Bay is the "Magical Flying Beach Chair" lift system that takes cruise ship guests from the welcome center to Mahogany Beach, a 10-acre, private island featuring an 825-foot-long, white-sand beach with a beach volleyball court and water sports. Eight cabanas are also available for rent. The Magical Flying Beach Chair takes guests on a six-minute ride across nearly 1200 feet of suspended cables. All-day passes for the beach chair lift are $5 per person. An elevated path also is available for those who prefer to walk. Visit www.mahoganybaycc.com.
Note: We do not "book" or make
reservations for the above activities. |
