Roatan has two main cruise piers — Mahogany Bay (primarily Carnival ships) and Coxen Hole (public port used by Royal Caribbean, NCL, and others). Both are docked; no tendering required.
💡 Pro move: USD is accepted everywhere near the tourist areas. Keep small bills — change can be scarce. From West End, the cheap water taxi over to West Bay Beach is a great way to skip the winding road.
Two dedicated cruise piers serve Roatan — Mahogany Bay on the south coast and Coxen Hole to the east.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Carnival Cruise Line | Mahogany Bay Cruise Terminal, south coast, own private beach complex📍 | Docked |
| Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, MSC, Princess and others | Coxen Hole Cruise Terminal, adjacent to Coxen Hole town📍 | Docked |
Roatan packs world-class reef diving, jungle zip lines, wildlife parks, and gorgeous beaches into a single shore day.
The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef — the world's second largest — runs right along Roatan's north shore. Crystal-clear water, healthy coral gardens, sea turtles, parrotfish, and rays make this one of the Caribbean's best snorkel spots. Boat tours depart from West End and both piers.
Find Roatan snorkel & dive tours →Several operators — including South Shore Canopy, Roatan Zipline, and Victor Bodden's Mayan Jungle Canopy — run zip-line courses through Roatan's jungle with platforms and cables high above the trees, some with ocean views. One of the island's most popular excursions, often combined with a beach break or monkey/sloth park.
Find Roatan zip-line tours →A well-established wildlife and nature park in the West Bay area where you can meet trained macaws, interact with monkeys, walk through tropical gardens, and snorkel in the park's protected cove. Family-friendly; reachable by taxi or tour from both piers (closer to Coxen Hole, ~18 min).
Find Gumbalimba Park tours →Consistently rated among the Caribbean's best beaches, West Bay has a long stretch of white sand, calm turquoise water, and shallow reef just offshore for effortless snorkeling. Beach clubs rent chairs and offer food and drinks — or just walk the public beach for free.
Find West Bay Beach day passes →The Garifuna people have deep roots along Central America's Caribbean coast. Several operators offer guided visits to Garifuna communities near Punta Gorda on Roatan's north coast, with drumming demonstrations, traditional food, and a look at a culture unlike anywhere else in the Caribbean.
Find Garifuna culture tours →Rent or join a guided ATV tour to explore Roatan's interior villages, jungle roads, and scenic overlooks. Several operators offer full-loop island tours that combine ATVs with a beach stop — a great way to see beyond the pier area.
Find Roatan ATV tours →Coxen Hole is walkable from its pier; West End village is a short taxi ride and good for an easy afternoon stroll.
From Coxen Hole pier, walk into the main town — the island's commercial hub. It's a working Honduran port town with colorful buildings, local markets, and street food rather than a polished resort strip. A good place to pick up fresh fruit, explore the real Roatan, and catch a water taxi to West End.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →West End is Roatan's backpacker and dive hub — a low-key strip of dive shops, beach bars, open-air restaurants, and souvenir stalls fronting a beautiful calm bay. Walk Main Street from the public dock south toward Half Moon Bay, stopping for a fresh ceviche or cold Salva Vida beer.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Climate normals for Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 79°F / 26°C | 76°F / 24°C | 19 |
| Feb | 79°F / 26°C | 76°F / 24°C | 12 |
| Mar | 80°F / 27°C | 77°F / 25°C | 9 |
| Apr | 82°F / 28°C | 79°F / 26°C | 6 |
| May | 83°F / 28°C | 80°F / 27°C | 7 |
| Jun | 83°F / 28°C | 81°F / 27°C | 10 |
| Jul | 83°F / 28°C | 80°F / 27°C | 15 |
| Aug | 84°F / 29°C | 81°F / 27°C | 15 |
| Sep | 84°F / 29°C | 81°F / 27°C | 18 |
| Oct | 83°F / 28°C | 80°F / 27°C | 22 |
| Nov | 81°F / 27°C | 78°F / 26°C | 23 |
| Dec | 80°F / 27°C | 77°F / 25°C | 20 |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Upcoming cruises that call at Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.