Roatán is on many travel bucket lists for its exceptional snorkeling and scuba diving opportunities. Circled by the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second-largest reef system in the world, the coastline of the island boasts over 100 dive sites. The island’s well-rated dive shops provide expert guidance at value-for-money prices, and the proximity to the reef from the beach makes it a snorkeler’s dream. The island’s clear and calm waters, coupled with its diverse marine life, solidify its reputation as a top destination for underwater exploration.
There is no shortage of great water activities in Roatan. You can do some on your own but there are a great many tour guides and boat excursions that can take you on some really cool adventures.
SNORKELING/DIVING
Roatan offers exceptional opportunities for snorkeling and diving, with a variety of reputable dive centers and tour operators catering to both beginners and experienced divers. Dive centers like Roatan Dive Center, Clearwater Adventures, Sun Divers Roatan, Roatan Divers, TGI Diving Roatan, Coconut Tree Divers, Scuba Roatan, and SCUBA ADVENTURES ROATAN provide top-notch services, including guided dives, equipment rental, and certification courses. These centers offer access to the diverse marine life around Roatan, including colorful coral reefs, tropical fish, and even shipwrecks like El Aguila. Visitors can enjoy calm and clear waters for snorkeling and diving adventures while exploring the underwater wonders of Roatan’s Caribbean waters.
BOAT EXCURSIONS
Boat excursions in Roatan offer a fantastic way to explore the island from the water, providing stunning views of the beaches and crystal-clear waters. Popular boat tours include glass bottom boat rides for a glimpse into the underwater world, navigating mangrove channels in traditional canoes, and snorkeling adventures at the famous Blue Channel on the south side of Roatan. These excursions offer insights into different aspects of life on the island, from the diverse marine life to cultural experiences. Visitors can also combine boat trips with activities like visiting nature reserves or sampling local rums at a rum cake factory, making boat tours a highlight of their Roatan vacation.
FISHING
Fishing in Roatan is a popular and diverse activity, offering opportunities for both recreational and sport fishing. The island is known for its rich marine life, with common catches including Tuna, Billfish, Barracuda, Wahoo, Mahi-Mahi, Grouper, Tarpon, and the prized Blue Marlin. Roatan boasts world-class fishing charters and anglers, making it a premier destination for fishing enthusiasts. From traditional hand-line fishing near the shoreline to deep-sea excursions targeting big game species like Marlin and Sailfish, Roatan provides a variety of fishing experiences for visitors of all levels. The island hosts an annual International Fishing Tournament on September 15th, attracting anglers from around the world to participate in the catch-and-release competition. Whether you prefer bottom fishing for Grouper or spearfishing to control Lionfish populations, Roatan offers a range of fishing techniques and experiences to enjoy its abundant waters.
Roatan is home to a vibrant restaurant scene. Check out these favourites from past guests!
Located in the middle of a tropical garden of the ECO resort Tranquilseas, Sunken Fish has stunning views of Sandy Bay, especially at sunset. Come for the views but stay for the fresh and flavourful food, from Spicy Caribbean Octopus to Homemade Beetroot Pasta, and Homemade Banana Donuts for dessert!
A short walk from the beach in West Bay, Totally Taco is a small joint (with a couple picnic tables for eating) but delivers big flavours with its hard and soft tacos, from Firecracker Shrimp to the Wasabi Taco! Served with a side of nacho and salsa.
Their sticky cinnamon buns are famous on the island! Located in West End, Sandy Buns & Bakery also serves up delicious coffee and smoothies, and is open for breakfast and lunch.
Beachers has two locations, one in the West End but our favourite is in West Bay just a short walk from the house. Their happy hour is from 3-6pm where you can get 2-for-1 drinks like Roatan’s famous Monkey LaLa. The lobster special is on Mondays.
This is a favourite spot for Canadians as the owner is from Canada so you’ll always be able to catch a hockey game here. Food is really satisfying after a long day of play!
Weather
5-Day Forecast – West Bay, Honduras
$/ATM
US$ are accepted everywhere (provided the bills are in good condition, US coins are not accepted). Small denominations are best. Most ATMs distribute local currency (lempira), and generally in 500 notes. Honduran coins are not used on the island, figures are rounded to the nearest lempira. There are 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 , 100 and 500 lempira notes. Other currencies such as the Canadian dollar, Belize dollar and Guatemalan quetzals cannot be exchanged. 500LMP = $20US
Please note that some places do not accept credit cards, and that their internet is unreliable and can render electronic payments moot. Some places will accept Paypal in lieu of credit cards.
Grocery
Eldon’s Supermarket is the main grocery store on the island. Note: they have a produce section, but it’s not super extensive, as fruit and vegetables are also sold at small stands along the road.
A Roa Market recently opened on West Bay Beach near Beacher’s Bar & Grill. They carry liquor, snacks, sunscreen, milk, eggs, deli meats, condiments, canned goods, bread and more. Prices are typically more expensive than Eldon’s, but it is within easy walking distance to our place.
Transportation
Driving – Hondurans drive on the right side of the road. There are no traffic lights and very few stop signs. Roads are narrow compared to North America and very winding. In addition to the curves, watch out for the motorbikes, as they frequently weave in and out of lanes and almost all streets have only one lane each way, so passing happens often.
Taxi – Official taxis are white four-door cars with a yellow box. On West Bay Beach, there are water taxis to take you to the West End. It costs $5 per person each way. It is a lovely boat ride, about 5 to 8 minutes (depending on how fast the boat is going).
