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Roatan: when your ship stops here

A white sand beach by the reef, the second largest barrier reef in the world, and the dive village of West End.

Facts checked Nov 1, 2026, each with its source. No prices on this page.

Roatan is the largest of the Bay Islands of Honduras, about 65 km (40 miles) off the north coast of the mainland. Royal Caribbean ships come in at the Port of Roatan in Coxen Hole, a port the Royal Caribbean Group manages.

Source: Wikipedia: Roatán

Top 3 things to do

  1. 1. West Bay Beach

    A white sand beach on the west side of the island, right by the reef. In 2011 the magazine Caribbean Travel and Life ranked it fourth among the best beaches in the world for snorkeling.

    Tip: Snorkel from the sand only at the southern end, where the reef is closest. North of the jetty, boats come and go all day.

    Sources: Wikipedia: West Bay, Roatán; Snorkeling Report: Snorkeling West Bay, Roatan

  2. 2. Snorkel or dive the reef

    Roatan sits on the southern edge of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second largest barrier reef in the world. Since 2010 the sea around the Bay Islands has been a national marine park, the largest marine protected area in Honduras.

    Tip: Wear a reef safe sunscreen. The Roatan Marine Park is asking for a ban on six sunscreen chemicals, oxybenzone among them, to protect the reef.

    Sources: Wikipedia: Roatán; Roatan Marine Park; Roatan Marine Park: Prove it's clean (the sunscreen ban it asks for)

  3. 3. West End village

    The island's tourism, social and diving hub: a road lined with shops and small hotels. The Roatan Marine Park has its home here.

    Tip: If you want to dive, or learn about the reef, this is the place to go.

    Sources: Wikipedia: Roatán; Wikipedia: West Bay, Roatán; Roatan Marine Park

What to skip

  • A tour that starts at the other port

    Roatan has two cruise ports. Royal Caribbean ships use the Port of Roatan in Coxen Hole; Mahogany Bay, about 5 km (3 miles) east, is where Carnival, Princess and Holland America call. If you book a tour on your own, check that it meets you at Coxen Hole.

    Source: Wikipedia: Roatán

Before you go ashore

You do not have to book a tour: you are free to go ashore on your own. Royal Caribbean sets the all aboard time about 30 minutes before the ship sails, posts it near the gangway, and says the ship does not wait for guests touring on their own.

Source: Royal Caribbean FAQ: Do I need to book a shore excursion?

Back-to-backs that stop in Roatan

Back-to-back cruises from these home ports have a stop in Roatan, from the Royal Caribbean sailings we track:

Sources

Read on Nov 1, 2026. Opening days, hours and rules change: check with the place itself before you go. legtolegcruises.com is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by Royal Caribbean International or any place named here.

Find back-to-backs that stop in Roatan

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