Positioned close to the most important barrier reef within the Caribbean Sea, Roatan is a well-liked cruise vacation spot for good motive. And we’ve got compiled a listing of a few of the greatest issues to do whereas your ship is in port.
Not solely is that this stunning island dwelling to among the finest diving and snorkeling areas on the earth, it additionally has a wealthy cultural heritage you could discover on one in every of many excursions provided.
Roatan, Honduras is 36 miles lengthy and about 4 miles extensive with many of the inhabitants on the western half. Among the greatest seashores are additionally on this aspect of the island.
We have now a listing of 16 issues to do in Roatan, however let’s begin with some details about the cruise port itself.
Cruise Port Information
There are two completely different piers that cruise ships cease at when visiting Roatan. Carnival cruise ships will go to Mahogany Bay whereas different cruise traces will cease at Coxen Gap. The piers are a pair miles away from one another.
There are a lot of buildings and companies across the vacationer facilities that embrace eating places, retailers, and different small institutions the place you may get no matter you want for the day.
The official language of the island is Spanish, however with many individuals talking English within the vacationer areas, you’ll not want a lot assist discovering your method round. There are buses and vehicles which might be obtainable for pick-ups and drop-offs should you select to go on an tour farther away from the port, and with many retailers and eating places accepting US {dollars}, you gained’t should convert your forex.
1. West Bay Seashore
This non-public seashore is an efficient selection for households due to the shallow water that permits you to go far out within the ocean with out being in too deep. Dad and mom can enable their youngsters to splash round within the water as a lot as they need whereas they get pleasure from a drink of their selection and work on their tans.
The shallow water is nice for image taking and underwater exploration as a result of you’ll have an ideal take a look at the ocean life and coral within the water. In case you convey alongside an underwater digital camera, the waters enable for crystal clear images of the life that goes on beneath the waves.
2. Scuba Diving
You’ll be able to take scuba diving classes at Roatan Dive Heart and prepare to go underwater for some sea diving. With starting classes that train you the fundamentals of tips on how to placed on and use your scuba gear, you’ll have all the talents you want to take to the water.
All scuba gear is included within the worth of the teachings and you’ll have all the things you want to start your underwater journey. Whereas diving, you’ll get to see numerous sea life and creatures that stay within the heat waters of Roatan and make recollections you could maintain ceaselessly.
3. Horseback Using
In Roatan, you may select to go horseback driving on the seashore and get classes on tips on how to journey correctly earlier than heading out on a journey of your individual. These horses are used to individuals and are educated for newcomers and youngsters riders.
On the West Bay, you’ll have particular person or group classes from skilled riders and horse homeowners who will present you the ropes so you’ll really feel comfy across the horses. Then, when you will have had sufficient follow, you’ll journey collectively alongside the water for a pleasant gallop on the seashore.
It is a best choice for animal lovers and offers you the chance to pet and stick with the horses as you discover ways to work together with them.
4. Native Eats
If an outside journey isn’t aside of your trip itinerary, then you may go for some nice native meals on the eating places close to the port. With a brief stroll to Eldon’s Grocery store, you will discover the within cafeteria that serves native dishes and island favorites. This selection is definitely in the midst of Coxen Gap port, so that you gained’t be venturing far.
Nevertheless, if you wish to go a bit of additional on your meal, then take a taxi from the port alongside the coast to different choices that serve Honduran specialties and attention-grabbing fusion dishes with native fish and meats. You too can seize a chilly beer, Salva Vida is the native favourite, and relaxation up for the stroll again to the docks.
5. Camp Bay Seashore
Need to sit on a seashore, however not be surrounded by dozens of different vacationers? Then the Camp Bay Seashore is your golden vacation spot. You’ll be able to lease an ATV to journey by means of the realm, however you’ll need a taxi journey to get to the seashore itself. With a semi-secluded space of land, this 2-mile lengthy space is a quiet place to have a picnic or lay on the nice and cozy sand, however you even have variety of medium-sized waves that come to the shore for youthful children and adventurous adults to leap into.
The world is lined with palm timber that often have just a few coconuts rising on the high, which some locals will take down and drink the candy milk from. This space is quieter than different seashores and likewise makes for a romantic getaway for {couples} that want to keep away from crowds of households with numerous children operating round.
6. Monkey and Sloth Hangout
This distinctive and sudden tour is one that you simply gained’t quickly neglect. With the chance to hang around and get to know the sloths and monkeys in a managed atmosphere, you may pet and maintain them whilst you go to the Monkey and Sloth Sanctuary of French Cay Roatan.
Right here, you will notice the completely different monkeys, sloths, and different tropical animals that stay on the sanctuary and get to know a bit about every of their consuming and sleeping habits. With these humorous creatures providing a singular probability to see them of their pure habitat up shut, it is possible for you to to carry, hug, and snap just a few images with these pleasant creatures to indicate off to your family and friends.
7. Dune Buggy Rides
Up for some journey? Then a journey across the island of Roatan on a dune buggy is likely to be simply the factor. These all-terrain automobiles might be rented at distributors working on the docks and rode everywhere in the trails across the island. These buggies will take you off the principle path and away from the opposite vacationers for some enjoyable that avoids the massive crowds that can flock to the seashores and eating places.
These buggies additionally provide the chance to show this tour right into a double-adventure with a journey to one of many stunning seashores or to the monkey and sloth sanctuary. You’ll be able to have guides that take you across the island to ensure you get to your meant vacation spot, or you may simply journey round by your self. Simply make it again to the cruise ship earlier than it takes off!
8. Ziplining
As one of many principal excursions of Roatan island, ziplining is without doubt one of the greatest adventures you’ll have whereas docked right here. You’ll be able to journey on a excessive cable by means of a tropical forest for an unforgettable time. You’ll fly by means of the air and be capable of see sights from a excessive vantage level for the perfect views round.
From sure areas of the zipline, it is possible for you to to see the Caribbean waters and untouched areas of the island. Nevertheless, if you’ll go along with a household, just be sure you discover out concerning the age, peak, and weight limits for this tour. Youthful youngsters who’re too small might should opt-out and those that are over the load restrict might not be capable of both.
9. Kayaking
With non-public waters which might be made for visitors and guests staying on the resorts within the areas, you’ll find many excursions you could’t get wherever else on the island. The Little French Key is without doubt one of the non-public areas that you have to entry by means of the lodge. In case you are coming from the cruise port, you’ll arrange your tour by means of the lodge and acquire entry to the realm for the day.
Right here, you may go kayaking within the nonetheless waters with rental gear from distributors alongside the shore. You’ve single or multi-person choices that can maintain the entire household on your selection of journey. As soon as you might be finished you may retailer the kayaks and spend the remainder of the day on the non-public seashore.
10. Contemporary Fruit Carts
If you’d like the power to take a look at the native produce, however don’t need the trouble of heading to a busy sit-down restaurant on the town, then you may keep near the ship and look out for the well-known Roatan fruit carts. These small carts are run by locals who provide their very own fruits and flavors from across the island.
You’ll be able to have a recent pineapple or mango for a refreshingly candy deal with with out having to go a lot additional than the port gates. Cease in at one of many retailers on the docks for a bottle of tajin or different spice so as to add some additional taste to your fruit.
11. Manwakie Eco Nature Park
Get your fill of family-friendly journey with the assistance of the Manwakie Eco Nature Park. This park is in West Finish, close to the West Bay Seashore, and homes many various unique animals. This park is not going to solely provide the alternative to take a look at all of the superb animals which might be housed there however presents guides that can train you concerning the historical past of Roatan Island.
Footage are allowed on this park so you may convey a digital camera or cellphone with you to take some fast snaps of your favourite animals to seize the recollections. After the tour of the park is finished, you can be guided to the seashore the place you may spend the remainder of the day lounging by the ocean.
12. Roatan Island Tour
For these vacationers who need to get to see all the islands in a short while, you may guide a visit for a full Roatan Island Tour. This guided tour will present you all the principle sights on the island, provide you with a while on a few of the hottest seashores, and take you to native bars and grills for a fast chunk between adventures.
This tour begins early and ends proper earlier than it’s a must to head again to the dock, however you will notice a snapshot of all of Roatan in a day and get to expertise a number of excursions collectively. You’ll be able to customise the journey with a fast horseback journey or hike alongside the best way and ask to go to particular eating places on Roatan for an individualized tour that meets the entire group’s desires and desires.
13. Snorkeling
Roatan is legendary for it’s unimaginable offshore reefs, so don’t miss a possibility to dive beneath the floor to examine them out.
In case you’d wish to see what’s beneath the water’s floor however aren’t a fan of scuba diving, then snorkeling is a good selection. You’ll be able to keep nearer to the floor, however nonetheless get to see the tropical creatures that decision the Caribbean Sea their dwelling.
Rental gear is accessible on the West Finish of the island the place you may pay distributors money to take out their gear for just a few hours of underwater exploration. Folks of all ages will get pleasure from this tour, and after you’ve returned your snorkeling gear, you’ll already be on the seashore for just a few hours of lounging earlier than heading again to the cruise ship docks.
14. Garifuna Historic Tour
The Island of Roatan has a wealthy and numerous historical past that begins with the Garifuna individuals. This tour will provide you with details about the historical past of the Garifuna individuals, their customs and traditions, and train you concerning the land they stay on.
This tour presents stops at an animal sanctuary will you’ll study concerning the native wildlife of the land, then it can take you to the Garifuna Cultural Heart the place you’ll get to see a presentation of the Garifuna individuals’s native dances.
This tour will provide you with extra perception into the island and its historical past in addition to train you about one other tradition and its values and traditions. With a tour that features a look into the lives of the native individuals, first-time guests to the island will particularly love this selection of tour.
This tour presents dock pick-ups and drop-offs and exhibits you a number of areas of the island for an immersive expertise.
15. Glass Backside Boat Excursions
This attention-grabbing and thrilling tour possibility is a singular method to discover the underwater creatures and plant lifetime of the island. These excursions will take you out into the Caribbean Sea and alongside the coast of the island to see the creatures that stay there, and the coral reefs alongside the underside of the ocean.
These boats look very small from the shore however have a cabin that’s beneath the water that comes with glass throughout the boat so vacationers can see straight out into the water at sea creatures swimming by. You might even see many several types of fish, turtles, and sea cucumbers cross your path for a close-up view of their scaly our bodies or brilliant fins.
The cabin of those boats is a bit small to boost the viewing expertise, so it’s nice for households which have babies so a number of individuals can match collectively within the observatory on the identical time. In case you are not a fan of the tight area, then you may have a look from the highest deck.
16. Combo Excursions
Many excursions on this island can help you create a combo tour with a number of excursions put collectively for an entire day of excursions. Every of the boat excursions will provide the chance to cease at a number of seashores all through the day or will watch for you on one tour to take you to your subsequent cease.
With choices like a combo tour of the glass backside boat and horseback driving, you’ll catch a journey on the boat and look ahead to sea creatures on the best way to the seashore, the place you’ll have your horseback driving classes. Then, you’ll take that very same boat again to the unique spot for a two-in-one deal with.
These excursions are customizable however should be arrange forward of time. So, if you realize what you need to do, guide prematurely to get probably the most out of your journey.
17. Gumbalimba Park
Animal lovers will discover a fantastic expertise at Gumbalimba Park, proper close to West Bay Seashore. The park does have an entrance price, however has rather a lot to supply. Guests can discover unique birds like macaws and peacocks, and spot capuchin monkeys throughout the realm. You too can go zip lining, take a nature path, go kayaking, or simply calm down by the pool or seashore. There’s a museum within the park as effectively, and you might even spot a sloth whilst you’re there.
Video of Issues to do in Roatan
Conclusion
The Island of Roatan is a tropical paradise within the Honduras Bay Islands that provides many wildlife and water sport adventures to vacationers and locals alike. In case you are making ready for a historic tour of the island, otherwise you need to take a journey on the zipline, you’ll lots to do on this island for the entire time your cruise ship is docked right here.
