Things To Do In Roatan Honduras
Updated August 2026 · written by the team that runs the tours
The western Caribbean island of Roatán is a magnet for cruise passengers and independent travellers alike. Ringed by the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef and barely 40 miles long, it packs postcard beaches, sloth and monkey parks, jungle ziplines and secluded mangrove tunnels into a single day trip — which is why it is arguably the most varied port of call in the western Caribbean.
These are the 25 things to do in Roatán, Honduras our guests book most, grouped by the kind of day you want. Every price comes from the live booking page, and drive times from both cruise ports are listed further down.
Beaches & Resort Days
STARTING AT $44.99
The Little French Key has become the most popular destination for cruisers and travelers visiting from other parts of the world and Central America. This tropical island paradise sits across the channel of Roatan, a short two minute boat ride. The slice of heaven offers an exotic animal refuge, white-sand walkways with lush tropical plants and trees, and crystal clear beaches. A must for any first-time island guest.Â
STARTING AT $47.99
West Bay Beach is by far the most beautiful beach in Roatan. The white-sand beach with crystal clear turquoise waters offers travelers some of the best rest & relaxation in the Caribbean. Resort access includes; restaurants, bars, beach chair, activity rentals, and other amenities. The reef is in close proximity to the shore, so make sure to take advantage of this world-class snorkeling destination. We recommend the Infinity Bay Resort & Spa for their day pass and all-inclusive package.Â
More Roatán beach and resort day passes, with live pricing:
-
All Inclusive
Fantasy Island Resort All-Inclusive Day Pass
From: $69.99Back to Ship Guarantee!Book Now
Wildlife & Animal Parks
STARTING AT $47.99
The Mayan Eden Eco Park is a unique animal park in Roatan. It offers the only butterfly sanctuary in Central America. The park attendees will interact with monkeys & sloths, Amazon Parrots, Scarlet Macaws, and other exotic animals found in these parts of the world. What separates Mayan Eden from other animal parks? Its comprehensive park tour…with hiking trails, replica Mayan ruins, suspension bridges, and a zipline course (zipline sold separately).
STARTING AT $46.99
The iguanas in Roatan are a unique experience for visitors. There are over 3500 iguanas at Arch’s Iguana Farm & Marine Park! The indigenous Black Spiny-Tailed Iguana is a crowd favorite, as are the Tarpon in the marine park. Island guests are free to interact with iguanas and feed them. This island attraction is an awesome combination excursion with Daniel Johnson’s Monkey & Sloth Hangout.
Roatán’s other monkey, sloth and wildlife parks — and note these are three different places, not one “sloth sanctuary”:
Adrenaline & Adventure
STARTING AT $89.99
Roatan’s pitched landscape and dense rainforest canopy make for some of the best zip-lining in the western Caribbean. South Shore Zipline in West Bay has several zip-line courses and a hiking excursion with suspension bridges. Zip-line participants will experience panoramic views of the island and the reef below. Thereafter, it’s off to the famous West Bay Beach for some beach time. The Zip-n Dip is ideal for cruise line passengers wanting to spend most of their day off the ship.
Ziplines, ATVs and horseback riding — including three that run on the Isla Tropicale cruise center grounds:
-
ATV
Extreme Jungle ATV & Beach Safari at Isla Tropicale
From: $114.99Back to Ship Guarantee!Book Now
Underwater Roatán
STARTING AT $114.99
Navigating through Roatan’s inlets, bays, and channels gives you a sense of what the first explorers experienced when reaching this Caribbean paradise. The pristine reef system just offshore gives access to world-class snorkeling. The Catamaran Sail & Snorkel visits 2-3 snorkel spots and includes all gear, drinks, and snacks. Catamaran may be chartered for larger private parties or events.Â
STARTING AT $119.99
There is no doubt that SCUBA diving in Roatan is the most popular water-sport. The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef aligns itself on both sides of the island and is in close proximity to the shoreline. Beginner and experienced divers have access to hundreds of world-class dive sites, just minutes away by boat. A fun dive from shore or a two-tank dive is recommended. A Discover SCUBA Course is an excellent option for non-certified divers wanting to try SCUBA.Â
STARTING AT $79.99
Several underwater adventures in Roatán let you enjoy the offshore reef without being a certified diver — or even knowing how to swim. The BOSS Underwater Adventure puts you on a self-propelled scooter with your head inside a clear air bubble, the glass-bottom boat tour suits the whole family, and the deep submarine dives go further down than any diver can reach. Calm seas and water clarity in Roatán are second to none and ideal for these underwater adventures.
More ways to get in the water on the world’s second-largest barrier reef:
Culture, Food & Island Tours
STARTING AT $64.99
West End is a hotspot for travelers and those wanting to explore Roatan. The waterfront village offers bars, restaurants, gift shops, art studios, dive shops, and much more. Half Moon Bay is perfect for swimming, snorkeling, glass-bottom boat, and other activities. Popular attractions in West End include the Roatan Chocolate Factory and the Waves of Art Gallery for local Honduran products. The Fun-n-Sun Tour and the Taste of Roatan Tour visit this location.Â
STARTING AT $99.99
The Mangroves on Roatan play an important role in its diverse ecosystem. Legend has it, the carved out mangrove tunnels at Jonesville were the work of pirates attempting to hide and protect their loot from other pirates and the bad weather just beyond the reef. Today, The mangrove tunnels offer travelers a tranquil boat ride through their narrow channels. Look for birds, fish, and other animals living within the mangroves. The Roatan Culture Tour is best suited for this island attraction.
Gardens, pirate history and more of the island beyond the beach:
How This List Is Put Together
This list is built from years of guest feedback and actual booking volume, not sponsorships — we run these tours ourselves, so the ranking reflects what people genuinely choose. We review it regularly, so check back for new Roatán attractions as they earn a place.
Arriving by cruise ship? Carnival, Princess, Holland America, Costa, P&O, Cunard and AIDA dock at Isla Tropicale — see our most popular things to do in Isla Tropicale. Most other lines dock at Port of Roatán in Coxen Hole.
How Far Is It From Each Cruise Port?
Roatán has two cruise ports and they are not interchangeable. Isla Tropicale (formerly Mahogany Bay) sits about three miles east of Coxen Hole, which makes it closer to most of the island — and farther from West Bay. These are operator-confirmed drive times, not estimates.
- Mayan Eden Eco Park — about 15 min from Port of Roatán | 10-15 min from Isla Tropicale
- West Bay Beach — 20-25 min from Port of Roatán | 30-35 min from Isla Tropicale
- Daniel Johnson’s Monkey & Sloth Hangout — about 25 min from Port of Roatán | about 15 min from Isla Tropicale
- Little French Key — about 25 min from Port of Roatán | about 20 min from Isla Tropicale
- AJ’s Monkeys & Sloths — about 30 min from Port of Roatán | about 20 min from Isla Tropicale
Not sure which pier you arrive at? Carnival, Princess, Holland America and Costa use Isla Tropicale; most other lines use Port of Roatán in Coxen Hole. Both 2026–2027 schedules list every ship by date. For anything not on this list, ask us — we quote real drive times and never estimate.
Arriving By Cruise Ship? You Don’t Have To Book With The Line
Every excursion on this page is covered by our Back to Ship Guarantee. Your day is built around your ship’s published all-aboard time, with a buffer of at least one hour — and in 13 years and more than 24,000 guests it has never been invoked. Not once.
Ready To Plan Your Roatán Day?
Book direct with the island’s local operator — no cruise-line markup, no third-party middleman.
Things To Do In Roatán — FAQ
What is the number one thing to do in Roatán?
For most first-time visitors it is the reef. Roatán sits on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second largest in the world, so snorkelling or diving is the one thing the island does better than almost anywhere in the Caribbean. If you only have a few hours, West Bay Beach gives you reef access straight off the sand.
How many days do you need in Roatán?
Three to four days lets you cover a beach day, a reef day and an inland day without rushing. Cruise passengers usually have six to eight hours ashore, which is enough for one main excursion plus beach time — two stops if they are close together.
Is Roatán expensive?
Less than most Caribbean islands. Day passes to beach clubs and resorts start around $47, animal parks around $46, and reef snorkelling around $99. Diving and dolphin programmes are the higher end. Every price on this page comes straight from the live booking page.
Which monkey and sloth park should I choose?
Three different parks all get called “the sloth sanctuary” — Daniel Johnson’s Monkey & Sloth Hangout, AJ’s Monkeys & Sloths and Mayan Eden Eco Park. They are different places at different distances from each cruise port, so always check which one a tour actually visits before you book.
Can I do this on a cruise day?
Yes. Everything on this page is bookable as a shore excursion and is covered by our Back to Ship Guarantee, with a return buffer of at least one hour before all-aboard. Drive times from both cruise ports are listed above so you can judge what fits.
Do I need a car to get around Roatán?
No. Roads outside the main corridor are rough and signage is limited. Guests we take out are collected and returned by our own drivers, and the island also has taxis and water taxis between West End and West Bay.
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Receive Roatan travel information, tips & tricks, discounts, and news.
Hello, is there a sea turtle sanctuary in Roatan we can visit? Thank you.
Hello Sylvia,
Thank you for your comment. There isn’t a designated sea turtle sanctuary on the island. However, Half Moon Bay in West End is a good place to snorkel and possibly see turtles.
Can you pairasail (pair-A-sail) here because if so I would love to thank you!
Hello Nelli, Yes! Parasailing is available on West Bay Beach and can be included as an add-on to any excursion.