Overview Roatan is the largest (but still pretty small) of Honduras' Bay Islands, located right off the coast of the mainland of Honduras. The most populated town is Coxen Hole, the capital of the Roatan municipality.
The marine wildlife in this area is truly amazing. In fact, Roatan is located near the largest barrier reef in the Caribbean (which is the second largest in the world), so it's a very popular destination among scuba diving enthusiasts. Aside from the great diving, the white sand beaches in Roatan are truly beautiful.
The weather in Roatan is tropical. This means there's beautiful weather year round and it can get quite hot (especially on a clear day during the summer months).
Destinations Roatan is included on a many Western Caribbean cruise itineraries.
Cruise Lines Departing Here
Roatan is not a cruise departure port.
Currency The official currency of Honduras is the Lempira (HNL). US Dollars are accepted at many places as well. Using a credit card whenever possible is a great way to avoid having to exchange currency.
Language The official language of Honduras is Spanish. However, most locals will speak English in the tourist areas.
Tourist Attractions Going to the beach and taking part in water sports are the most popular activities to do in Roatan. Particularly popular water sports in Roatan are scuba diving, snorkeling and kayaking. Located in West End Village, the Sueno del Mar Diving Resort is probably the best place to learn how to scuba dive in Roatan. In fact, the beaches and reefs by the West End are where the most popular diving spots can be found.
The most beautiful beaches in Roatan are those located in the West End (a town in Roatan). Half Moon Bay Beach is a popular beach for cruise ship passengers. As such, it can get quite busy on a day when a few ships are in port. West Bay Beach is another popular beach in the West End area. It's one of the best beaches in Roatan, with its white sand, palm trees and beautiful coral reef.
There's a flea market and shopping area right when you walk through the gates after getting off of your cruise ship. The West End has some tourist-geared shops as well.
The Roatan Butterfly Garden is a nice option for those looking to do something other than go to the beach. It's located right before the entrance to West End. This area is open from 9 am to 5 pm daily, except on Saturday (when it's closed). The entrance fee is $7 per person for adults and $5 per person for children (rates are in USD and are subject to change).
Port Location Cruise ships dock right by Coxen Hole, the largest city in Roatan.
