Roatán is the largest of Honduras' Bay Islands, set on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. Expect superb snorkelling, the famous West Bay beach, zip lines through the jungle and sanctuaries where you can meet sloths and monkeys.
Ships dock at Mahogany Bay (east of Coxen Hole) or the Port of Roatán / Town Center in Coxen Hole.
Mahogany Bay has a private beach reached by chairlift; Coxen Hole is the island's main town.
Licensed taxis wait at both ports; agree fares in US dollars.
West Bay and West End are 30–40 minutes by road.
Two cruise ports on the south coast.
| Cruise line / ship | Typical berth / arrival | Dock or tender |
|---|---|---|
| Carnival family lines (often) | Mahogany Bay | 📍 Docked |
| Royal Caribbean / Norwegian / others | Port of Roatán, Coxen Hole | 📍 Docked |
Typical arrangements only — your ship's berth is confirmed in the daily planner.
These typical arrangements are retained from the supplied port guide and have not all been independently reverified. Map links are location searches, not live ship assignments. Confirm the berth, tender landing and boarding arrangements for your sailing. Read this port’s researched access notes →
These cruise lines typically include Roatán on their itineraries — tap one to see its sailings in the region.
Typical lines only — which ships visit changes every season. Live sailings and prices come from Cruise Travellers' booking engine.
Compare access requirements for this port before booking an excursion →
The shore excursions most worth your time in Roatán.
Snorkel the reef straight from the sand, then relax on soft white beaches.
Find tours →Hold a sloth, meet capuchins and see macaws at a rescue park.
Find tours →Tours booked through Viator, Cruise Travellers' excursion partner. Check the operator’s written return-to-ship policy; a guarantee is not assumed.
Roatán has two cruise ports, Mahogany Bay and Coxen Hole, and some of the Caribbean's best snorkelling on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef.
| Beach | Getting there | Best for | Vibe | Snorkelling |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Bay Beach | Taxi | Snorkelling from shore | Beautiful, lively | ★★★ |
| Mahogany Bay beach | At the pier (chair lift) | Convenience | Fun, easy | ★★ |
| Tabyana Beach | Taxi or tour | A beach club & zip line | Adventurous | ★★ |
| West End | Taxi | Village charm, snorkelling | Laid-back | ★★★ |
| Little French Key | Tour | A private island day | Relaxed | ★★ |
Prices, packages and opening days change often. Check current details before you go, or ask me and I'll arrange the right beach day for you.
These are sightseeing suggestions. Distances and walking difficulty labels do not establish a step-free route. Read the port-specific access notes before choosing a route.
A sandy main street of dive shops, cafés and bars with reef snorkelling at Half Moon Bay.
Best time: February–June. Highs 28–31°C / 82–88°F; rainy season October–January.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 82°F / 28°C | 73°F / 23°C | 14 |
| Feb ⭐ | 82°F / 28°C | 73°F / 23°C | 10 |
| Mar ⭐ | 84°F / 29°C | 73°F / 23°C | 7 |
| Apr ⭐ | 86°F / 30°C | 75°F / 24°C | 5 |
| May ⭐ | 88°F / 31°C | 77°F / 25°C | 6 |
| Jun ⭐ | 88°F / 31°C | 79°F / 26°C | 9 |
| Jul | 88°F / 31°C | 77°F / 25°C | 11 |
| Aug | 88°F / 31°C | 79°F / 26°C | 10 |
| Sep | 88°F / 31°C | 77°F / 25°C | 13 |
| Oct | 86°F / 30°C | 77°F / 25°C | 17 |
| Nov | 84°F / 29°C | 75°F / 24°C | 17 |
| Dec | 82°F / 28°C | 73°F / 23°C | 16 |
⭐ = best months to visit. Approximate long-term averages — check the forecast before you sail.
About 30–40 minutes.
A short boat hop.
To the port's private beach.
Prices are typical ranges and change — confirm before you ride.
Other port guides close to Roatán.
Ships dock at Mahogany Bay or Coxen Hole.
It's about 20–30 minutes by taxi.
Yes. West Bay and West End have reef right off the shore.
Not usually. US dollars are widely accepted.
Tours, prices, transport fares and pier assignments change. Always confirm with the operator, your cruise line and your ship's all-aboard time before relying on anything here.
Mesoamerican Barrier Reef snorkelling, West Bay beach and sloth sanctuaries.
Roatán's Mahogany Bay chairlift is specifically unsuitable for wheelchair users; an easy beach activity rating does not mean roll-on access.
Published sources reviewed October 17, 2026. This is desk research, not an on-site access audit. Access can change with the ship, berth, equipment and operating conditions.
Not wheelchair accessible
Princess states that this continuously moving chairlift is not wheelchair accessible. Boarding and leaving it occur while the system runs. Do not use the chairlift as the essential link in a wheelchair beach itinerary.
Land route and sand access need a separate assessment
The same listing describes a private beach with watersports and amenities, but it does not document the alternative rolling route, gradients, beach-chair equipment or accessible changing facilities. Ask for those details rather than extending the chairlift excursion's easy label to beach access.
Planning suggestion: if docking at Mahogany Bay, arrange a confirmed land route and beach equipment; if docking at Coxen Hole, obtain a different transport plan.
Detailed access-planning questions · Save these arrangements in your day plan
Discuss my access needsTurn the interests in this guide into a private shore-day brief. These are ideas to discuss with Melody, not confirmed bookable products.
Before booking, request the named operator, inclusions, vehicle specification, entry tickets, cancellation terms and a written return plan. Private access, special entry and availability must be confirmed.
Request a Curated Ashore proposal Book a consultationSave a personal checklist on this device, then print it or share your brief with Melody. Times are your inputs in ship time; this tool does not calculate travel times or guarantee return.
Plans stay in this browser when storage is available. Email opens your own mail app; nothing is submitted automatically.
Confirm piers, fares, transfers, admission, tour duration and assistance with your cruise line and the relevant operator. Weather tables are inherited indicative averages, not a forecast. Report a correction.
