The largest of Honduras's Bay Islands, Roatan delivers Caribbean reef diving, jungle zip lines, and powdery white-sand beaches — all served by two well-equipped cruise piers minutes from the island's best spots.
Two main piers: Isla Tropicale Cruise Center (formerly Mahogany Bay, rebranded April 2025) for Carnival/Princess/HAL; Port of Roatan at Coxen Hole for Royal Caribbean, NCL, MSC, Celebrity. Both docked — no tendering.
Walk to Center
Isla Tropicale is a self-contained beach complex — no walking to town. Coxen Hole pier is adjacent to the capital; taxis queue just outside for West Bay (~20 min) and West End (~15 min).
Best For
Reef snorkeling & diving, jungle zip lines, West Bay Beach, wildlife encounters, Garifuna culture
Don't Miss
West Bay Beach, Mesoamerican Barrier Reef snorkel, Gumbalimba Park, canopy zip line, water taxi between West End and West Bay
📄 Take this port with you
A printable port guide — key info, things to do & tips. Includes an editable “My Day in Port” box for your ship times & booked excursions.
Roatan has two dedicated cruise piers — Isla Tropicale (Carnival family ships) on the south coast, and Port of Roatan at Coxen Hole (Royal Caribbean, NCL, MSC, Celebrity). Both are docked; no tender required.
Getting Ashore in Roatan
1
Isla Tropicale Cruise Center (formerly Mahogany Bay)Rebranded in April 2025, this Carnival Corporation-owned terminal on the south coast includes a private beach, pool, swim-up bar, duty-free shops, restaurants, and watersports. A free chairlift runs to the beach area. Carnival, Princess, and Holland America ships dock here. The complex is self-contained — most island attractions require a taxi or tour.
2
Port of Roatan — Coxen HoleThe public commercial port sits adjacent to Coxen Hole town, the island capital. Royal Caribbean, NCL, MSC, and Celebrity dock here. The two-pier terminal can host two large ships simultaneously. Taxis, shuttles, and tour operators queue just outside the gate. Coxen Hole is a working Honduran port town — most passengers head straight to taxis.
3
Getting to West End and West Bay BeachWest Bay Beach and West End village are 10–15 km from both piers. Taxis run approximately $20–30 per cab (not per person — always negotiate before getting in). Exit the Isla Tropicale gate first for better rates. Shared shuttles from tour operators are cheaper for groups.
4
Water taxis between West End and West BayOnce at West End, small water taxis shuttle to West Bay Beach — a scenic 5-minute boat ride that skips the hilly road. Fare is roughly $3–5 per person each way. Boats wait for a few passengers before departing from the West End public dock.
💡 Pro move: USD is accepted everywhere near tourist areas. Keep small bills — change can be scarce. Always agree on taxi fare before getting in; there are no meters on the island.
Piers & Tendering by Cruise Line
Two dedicated cruise piers serve Roatan — Isla Tropicale (formerly Mahogany Bay) for Carnival group ships, and Coxen Hole for Royal Caribbean, NCL, MSC, and others.
Roatan packs world-class reef diving, jungle zip lines, wildlife parks, beautiful beaches, and authentic Garifuna culture into a single shore day.
Nature
Mesoamerican Barrier Reef Snorkel
The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef — the world's second largest — runs along Roatan's north shore. Guided boat tours from West End and both piers reach sites with sea turtles, eagle rays, parrotfish, and healthy coral. West Bay Beach also has snorkel-ready reef starting just 50–100 yards offshore in clear, shallow water.
Operators including South Shore Canopy and Roatan Zipline Adventures run zip-line courses high above the jungle with ocean views. Courses typically include 8–12 platforms and cables up to 400 meters long. Often combined with a beach stop or wildlife park visit.
A well-established wildlife and nature park in the West Bay area where you can meet trained macaws, interact with capuchin monkeys, walk through tropical botanical gardens, and snorkel in the park's protected cove. Family-friendly; about 18 minutes by taxi from Coxen Hole.
⏱ 2-4 hrs🦜 Wildlife encounters🚕 Taxi or tour from pier
Consistently rated among the Caribbean's best beaches, West Bay has a long stretch of white sand, calm turquoise water, and a shallow reef just offshore. Beach clubs rent chairs and serve food and drinks — or walk the public beach for free. Best reached by taxi from either pier or by water taxi from West End.
⏱ 3-5 hrs🏖️ White sand, calm water🤿 Reef just off the beach
The Garifuna people have deep roots along Central America's Caribbean coast. Guided visits to Garifuna communities near Punta Gorda on Roatan's north coast include drumming and dance, traditional food (hudut fish stew, cassava bread), and a look at a culture unlike anywhere else in the Caribbean.
Guided ATV tours wind through Roatan's interior villages, jungle roads, and scenic overlooks with ocean views. Several operators offer loop tours combining ATVs with a beach stop — a great way to see beyond the terminal areas.
Coxen Hole is walkable from its pier for a quick local market browse; West End village is a short taxi ride away and perfect for a relaxed stroll to West Bay.
Coxen Hole Town Walk
~1 km · Easy · 20-30 min
From Coxen Hole pier, walk into the island capital — a working Honduran port town with colorful buildings, a local market, and street vendors selling fresh fruit and snacks. Not a polished resort area, but good for a quick look at real Roatan before jumping in a taxi to West Bay.
West End is Roatan's laid-back dive hub — a low-key strip of dive shops, beach bars, open-air restaurants, and souvenir stalls fronting a calm bay. Walk Main Street from the public dock south toward Half Moon Bay, stopping for fresh ceviche or a cold Salva Vida beer. Catch a water taxi to West Bay Beach from the dock at the far end.
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
Sunrise
Sunset
Jan
79°F / 26°C
76°F / 24°C
19
6:17 AM
5:33 PM
Feb
79°F / 26°C
76°F / 24°C
12
6:11 AM
5:48 PM
Mar
80°F / 27°C
77°F / 25°C
9
5:53 AM
5:56 PM
Apr
82°F / 28°C
79°F / 26°C
6
5:30 AM
6:01 PM
May
83°F / 28°C
80°F / 27°C
7
5:15 AM
6:09 PM
Jun
83°F / 28°C
81°F / 27°C
10
5:14 AM
6:19 PM
Jul
83°F / 28°C
80°F / 27°C
15
5:22 AM
6:22 PM
Aug
84°F / 29°C
81°F / 27°C
15
5:30 AM
6:10 PM
Sep
84°F / 29°C
81°F / 27°C
18
5:34 AM
5:47 PM
Oct
83°F / 28°C
80°F / 27°C
22
5:38 AM
5:24 PM
Nov
81°F / 27°C
78°F / 26°C
23
5:49 AM
5:11 PM
Dec
80°F / 27°C
77°F / 25°C
20
6:06 AM
5:16 PM
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Insider Tips
🏷️
Mahogany Bay is now Isla Tropicale. Rebranded in April 2025, it is the same Carnival-owned complex on the south coast — just with a new name and ongoing renovations adding a pool, peninsula, and cabanas. Ship schedules may still show the old name.
💵
USD accepted everywhere. US dollars are the de facto currency at all tourist sites, piers, and beaches. Lempira is rarely needed unless you are deep in a local market. Bring small bills — $1s and $5s for tips and street vendors.
🚕
Negotiate taxis before you get in. No meters on the island. Typical fares: Coxen Hole to West Bay ~$20–25 per cab; Isla Tropicale to West Bay ~$25–30 per cab. Sharing with other cruisers cuts costs significantly. Exit the terminal gate first for better rates than drivers inside.
🤿
West Bay snorkeling is free from the beach. You do not need a paid boat tour — rent a mask locally ($10–15) and wade in. The reef starts just 50–100 yards offshore in clear, shallow water with excellent coral and fish.
🚤
Take the water taxi. West End to West Bay is a 5-minute boat ride for $3–5 per person. Far better than the winding road and a quintessential Roatan experience — look for the boats at West End public dock.
⏰
Leave West Bay early on busy ship days. With multiple ships in port, afternoon traffic back to Coxen Hole can back up significantly. Aim to leave the beach by 3:30 PM for a 5–6 PM departure — allow 30–45 minutes minimum for the return trip.
Getting Around
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
🚗 Ride-share: ✅ UberUber dispatches licensed local taxis; coverage is decent near the cruise ports and main tourist areas.
Private taxis depart from both Mahogany Bay and Coxen Hole (Port of Roatan). Fares are per taxi (not per person) to West End or West Bay; agree on price before departing as meters are not used.
🚐 Collectivo (Shared Taxi)
$2–$5 per person
Shared "collectivo" taxis run set routes along the main road and are the cheapest way to get around. A collectivo from near Coxen Hole to West End is roughly $5 per person.
📱 Uber
Varies (app fare)
Uber is available in Roatan and dispatches licensed taxis through the app. Useful for fare transparency and overcoming language barriers, though coverage may be limited in remote areas.
🚗 Rental Car / Golf Cart
$50–$80/day
Golf carts and small cars can be rented near Mahogany Bay and West End for independent exploration. A valid driver's license is required and driving is on the right side of the road.
Cruises Calling Here
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.
