🇭🇳 Roatán, Honduras — Cruise Port Guide
Honduras's largest Bay Island, ringed by the Mesoamerican Reef and famed for world-class diving and the powdery sands of West Bay Beach.
Updated September 2026
Quick facts
Getting ashore
When to visit Roatán
Best in the drier season, roughly February-May, with warm mid-80s°F temperatures; June-November is Caribbean hurricane season with more rain.
Getting back to the ship on time
Roatán runs on one main road, so the 20-minute run back from West Bay takes considerably longer when several ships are in port. Start back 90 minutes before all-aboard and name your pier to the driver, since Coxen Hole and Isla Tropicale are 3 miles apart and the wrong one costs another 15 minutes.
All-aboard is ship's time — check it in the daily programme, and set your watch to it.
Things to do in Roatán
West Bay Beach
Lounge on powdery sand with reef snorkeling steps offshore.
Reef dive or snorkel
Discover the Mesoamerican Reef, second-largest barrier reef on Earth.
Gumbalimba Park
Meet capuchin monkeys and macaws in a tropical nature park.
Jungle zipline canopy
Soar over rainforest treetops on a network of ziplines.
West End village
Wander the bohemian beach strip of shops, bars and dive centers.
Sloth sanctuary visit
Hold sloths and see native animals at a wildlife park.
Popular excursions
Mesoamerican reef snorkel trip
Roatan sits right on the world's second-largest barrier reef.
What to eat
- Baleadas
- Sopa de caracol
- Machuca
- Pastelitos
- Fried fish with tajadas
Weather by month
Best time to visit: Mar–May (dry season)
| Month | High | Low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 84° | 72° | 8" |
| Feb | 84° | 72° | 4.5" |
| Mar | 86° | 73° | 2.5" |
| Apr | 87° | 75° | 2" |
| May | 88° | 77° | 3.5" |
| Jun | 88° | 77° | 6" |
| Jul | 88° | 76° | 5.5" |
| Aug | 89° | 76° | 4.5" |
| Sep | 89° | 76° | 4" |
| Oct | 87° | 75° | 11" |
| Nov | 85° | 74° | 12.5" |
| Dec | 84° | 73° | 10.5" |
Local phrases
A little history
Roatán was a haven for English pirates in the 1600s, and Garifuna culture still thrives here.
Islanders are relaxed and friendly; a smile and greeting go a long way.
Tipping around 10% is common; some restaurants add a service charge.
English and Spanish are both widely spoken across the Bay Islands.