Major Places on Roatán
West End
The funkiest, most touristy part of the island. A variety of hotels, souvenir shops, beaches & restaurants.
West Bay
West Bay has the highest tourist density, and most concentrated number of hotels on the island. The beaches are good, but crowded.
Sandy Bay
A major dive and snorkeling center on the island.
Coxen Hole
Coxen Hole is the largest town on the island, and is where the large cruise liners dock. There is a large number of interesting tourist shops along the main street.
French Harbour
This second largest town is the educational center of Roatan and offers some excellent restaurants as well as the largest supermarket on the island, in addition to the islands first North American style shopping center.
Oak Ridge
Oak Ridge is Roatan’s “Little Venice”, with boat mangrove tours and some excellent restaurants in a typical island fishing village.
Punta Gorda
Step back into the past in a Native Garifuna Village where old island traditions are very much alive.
Things to Do and See
Roatan Museum & Roatan Institute of Marine Sciences – Sandy Bay
Learn about the island or enjoy a dolphin skill show.
Canopy Tours – West Bay & French Harbour
Glide or zoom through rain forest canopy on a 200m steel cable from hilltop to a beach.
Carambola Botanical Gardens – Sandy Bay
Enjoy a hike or a picnic at this rainforest garden while watching for birds watching wildlife.
Spanish School – Sandy Bay & West Bay
Learn Spanish through culture classes on a weekly basis.
Dolphin Experience – Sandy Bay & Coxen Hole
Swim, interact, and learn about these smart marine mammals at one of the island’s oldest resorts.
Roatan Butterfly Garden – West End
The garden is home to over 12 different species of butterfly, exotic plants and tropical fruit trees.
Iguana Farm – French Cay
The iguana farm is home to over 3,000 iguanas, 200 lobsters, 200 conch fish, tarpon fish, and turtles.
Glass Bottom Boat – West Bay
Watch marine life and reef with your entire family, in comfort, with a knowledgeable guide.
Pirate Tours – Port Royal
Take a guided tour on the Captain Merrell boat across the bay from Oak Ridge to Port Royal.
Diving and Snorkeling
Some of the more famous island wrecks are Prince Albert and the Aguila. Roatan has over 15 dive shops located around the island, and excellent snorkeling accessible from many beaches. One of the best snorkeling reefs is at the mouth of Caribe Point Bight.
Mangrove Tours – Oak Ridge, Jonesville, or Calabash Bight
Take a nature tour through Roatan’s magnificent mangroves, through the pirate channel cut between Caribe Point Bight and Jonesville. Water taxis are available in Jonesvill, Oak Ridge, or Calabash Bight.
Shark Dive – Las Palmas in Dixon Cove
If reef diving isn’t exhilarating enough, try diving in the company of dozens of reef sharks.
Horseback Riding – Various Stables
Several horse stables on Roatan offer rides along beaches and trails in Sandy Bay, West Bay, West End, and Palmetto Bay.
Gumba Limba Park – West Bay
Something for everyone; monkeys, tropical birds, a beach with water equipment, and a museum cave. You can catch and release fish from a pond fed by a waterfall.
SNUBA Diving – West Bay
Dive to three or 30 feet in comfort and without the hassle of air tanks.
Sea Shell Carving – Gravel Bay
Watch artists carve intricate cameos and sea shells at Stone Castle Cameo.
Coral Cay – Dixon Cove
See a turtle hatchery, a nurse shark, or just rent snorkel gear, a kayak, or swim off to nearby coral reefs and two ship wrecks.
Deep Sea Fishing
The Bay Island’ waters and banks are heaven for anglers on the lookout for wahoos, king mackerel, mahi mahi, barracuda, tuna, and marlin.
Fly Fishing
If you want to wade in the cool waters to try fly fishing, Roatan offers packages in the east end.
Windsurfing School – Sandy Bay
The school offers advanced and beginner lessons and equipment rentals.
Parasailing – West End
Harness yourself for a better view of the island from a boat-pulled parachute.
Catamarans – West Bay & Dixon Cove
Rent your own or go along on a sailing trip around the shores of Roatan.
Plane & Seaplane Charter
If you want to have a bird’s eye view of the island, just go up in a Cessna or hire a two seat airplane.
Punta Gorda
Step back into the past in a Native Garifuna Village where old island traditions are very much alive. This Garifuna experience center exhibits the African-Caribbean community’s dancing, handicrafts, traditional activities and food.
Deep Water Submarine – West End
Ride in the world’s deepest tourist submarine at Half Moon Bay. There is a shipwreck at 2,600 feet to explore and a seamount rising over 2,000 feet.
Cayos Cochinos Marine Protected Area
A marine protected area and home to the Smithsonian Tropical Institute. You can visit it and dive with AKR, Subway Water Sports, Las Rocas, or by boat from Nueva Armenia.
Bar Hopping – West End
Sip a Monkey lala while watching the sunset in Roatan’s Funky tourist zone.
Jet Skiing and Wakeboarding – Turquoise Bay
Rent jet skis and wake boards at Turquoise Bay Dive Resort.
Sea Kayaking
Roatan has over six kayaking rentals located through the island an excellent snorkeling from the several beaches.
