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For those who’re visiting Roatán on a cruise, you’re in luck! Roatán is a favourite Western Caribbean cruise port for a lot of cruise vacationers. This small island off the coast of Honduras has gorgeous seashores and is full of alternatives for journey.

On this put up, I’ll share the perfect issues to do in Roatán on a cruise, together with shore excursions in addition to cheap or free actions. You’ll additionally study every thing you have to learn about visiting the Roatán cruise port for the day and get solutions to generally requested questions.

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Roatán Cruise Port 

There are two cruise ports situated on the island of Roatán.

Mahogany Bay Cruise Middle

Carnival Cruise Line constructed this port/cruise middle, which might accommodate two mega-ships. Carnival cruise ships dock right here, together with Princess and Holland America cruise traces.

Mahogany Bay Cruise Middle is a big 20-acre welcome middle with a “non-public” seaside. Many cruisers will spend the day inside the Cruise Middle visiting the eating places, bars, duty-free retailers, craft markets, or simply enjoyable on the seaside.

The Port of Roatán (Additionally Often known as Coxen Gap)

This port can accommodate three cruise ships at a time. Ships from the entire different cruise traces (apart from these talked about above) sometimes dock right here.

This port is inside strolling distance of Roatán island’s largest metropolis, Coxen Gap. The port terminal has restrooms, taxi stands, tour and tour pick-ups, and an ATM. 

What Cruise Passengers Must Know About Roatán Cruise Port

Foreign money

Roatán’s official foreign money is the Honduran lempira (HNL). Nevertheless, money (together with USD!) reigns supreme right here. You possibly can pay with U.S. {Dollars} on Roatán, simply anticipate to get change again in lempiras.

Language

The official language in Roatán is Spanish, however English (with a Creole twist) is broadly spoken.

Time Zone

The time zone in Roatán, Honduras, is Central Normal Time, which is one hour forward of the Jap time zone.

Climate

Roatán is an island in Central America situated simply off the Honduras coast. Its local weather is tropical rainforest, with temperatures hovering within the 80-degree Fahrenheit vary year-round.

Mid-July via October is taken into account the “heat season,” with temperatures within the higher 80s and low 90s. Roatán may be very humid year-round, with humidity reaching 90% within the final 4 months of the yr.

The wet season in Roatán is from September via July.

Getting Round Roatán

The island of Roatán is 48 miles lengthy and 5 miles vast at its widest level. It’s most secure to e-book excursions (whether or not non-public or cruise ship excursions) to get round Roatán. 

On Foot

Whether or not you port in Mahogany Bay Cruise Middle or Coxen Bay, actions are inside strolling distance. The Mahogany Bay Cruise Middle is a 20-acre complicated with a seaside, eating places, bars, and procuring areas.

Coxen Gap is Roatán’s largest metropolis. Actions and facilities, together with procuring, eating places, and bars, are inside strolling distance of the port.

Public Transit

There are various taxis and buses out there for transport in Roatán. The “buses” are sometimes 16-passenger vans working common routes between Coxen Gap and West Finish or French Harbour.

Taxis could be non-public “privado,” which prices just a little extra, or “colectivo,” which implies you may choose up and drop off different folks alongside your route. It is a enjoyable strategy to chat with locals however may take just a little longer to get to and out of your vacation spot.

Automotive Leases

Automotive leases can be found on Roatán, with rental kiosks close to the cruise terminal. The island is straightforward to navigate, simply look ahead to horses and cows on the highway.

The Finest Roatán Shore Excursions

Roatán has a special vibe than different Caribbean cruise ports. This Honduran island has a Central American affect with a Caribbean twist.

Roatán is located on high of uncovered historic coral reefs, and simply off-shore is the second largest reef system on this planet: the Mesoamerican Reef System, often known as the Nice Mayan Reef.

The varied tradition and distinctive pure wonders of Roatán make for a one-of-a-kind cruise port expertise. Listed below are 22 of the perfect Roatán Shore Excursions.

1. Mahogany Bay Cruise Middle

Carnival designed this 20-acre port complicated to be an tour in itself. The 800-foot-long white sand Mahogany Seashore is a part of the Cruise Middle. You will get off the ship and spend the day studying on a seaside chair or swimming within the crystal clear waters.

This seaside will get busier and louder because the day goes on, so seize your chair early or select a special seaside in case you are in search of quiet. The Cruise Middle has a mixture of duty-free retailers and retailers, together with Diamonds Worldwide, Del Sol, and Piranha Joes.

If you’re hungry, there are a number of eating places within the Cruise Middle. Cease by Fats Tuesday’s atop Monkey Hill for wonderful views, some Caribbean Jerk hen, and a chilly and refreshing “Banana Banshee” Daquiri.

2. Magical Flying Seashore Chair

It is a enjoyable expertise that’s distinctive to Roatán. Instantly after disembarking at Mahogany Bay Port, there’s a chairlift which you can take to move you to close by Mahogany Bay Seashore.

You’ll discover the Magical Flying Seashore Chair up the hill and to the best of the Cruise Middle. You should purchase an “all-day move” for limitless use.

Bear in mind that the Flying Seashore Chair regularly stops for folks to get on and off. The prospect to see iguanas within the timber and the magnificent ocean view make this a pleasing choice.

3. Store ‘Til you Drop at The City Middle Coxen Bay

There’s a unbelievable number of duty-free boutiques and native memento retailers in The City Middle procuring space on the Port of Roatán.

You’ll want to cease at “Yaba Ding Ding” for native handmade arts and crafts, together with Garifuna and Lenca pottery paintings. For those who love pictures, you’ll marvel on the underwater images by Roatán native Shawn Jackson in his gallery right here.

4. Snorkel, Scuba, and Calm down at West Bay Seashore

The world’s second-longest reef system, the Mesoamerican Reef, lies simply off the coast of West Bay Seashore. This seaside is 30-45 minutes from the cruise ship docks and has a few of the greatest snorkeling and diving in Roatán.

The seaside is public and free to enter. Nevertheless, paying a close-by resort for his or her day-use price offers you entry to chairs and a break from the distributors attempting to promote their items and companies.

If you wish to snorkel or scuba, water taxis from West Bay Seashore will take you nearer to the reef.

5. Cuddle a Sloth at an Animal Sanctuary

A number of animal sanctuaries exist in Roatán. These excursions sometimes embody the chance to carry a sloth, feed monkeys, and work together with parrots and macaws.

You possibly can e-book a personal tour, which is a bit more costly however means that you can transfer via the animal sanctuary (and have the experiences!) extra rapidly. This expertise takes round an hour, so it’s a good one to bundle with different excursions.

6. Spend the Day at The Little French Key

This resort is a one-stop tour spot. You possibly can pay a price to take part in actions like horseback using, swimming with pigs, massages, manicures, snorkeling and scuba diving, kayaking, rope swings, and a present store. In addition they have a mini zoo the place they’ll work together with animals.

Search for the VIP move, which incorporates drink vouchers, a lunch plate, a therapeutic massage, horseback using, and entry to a less-crowded seaside. Little French Secret is a 30-minute drive from the port.

7. Style the Distinctive Taste of Wild Honduran Chocolate at a Chocolate Manufacturing facility

Cacao beans in Honduras are distinctive as a result of they’re grown within the wild as an alternative of on plantations. A number of chocolate factories could be visited to do this tasty deal with.

Manufacturing facility excursions are often part of a “bundled” tour. If you’re a chocolate lover, it is a “should” for treats and memento procuring in Roatán.

8. Scuba Dive on the Mayan Reef

You don’t need to miss the chance to scuba dive within the second-largest reef system on this planet: the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. Scuba diving is among the high issues cruisers suggest for porting right here. Roatán has excursions out there for each degree of diver, from newbie to scuba-certified.

The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef is residence to various sea life, together with colourful fish, coral, sea turtles, eels, stingrays, sponges, starfish, shrimps, and lobster. Most Scuba excursions happen on the West Facet, nearest the reef, and can take a number of hours.

There are various dive retailers in Roatán. You possibly can e-book a newbie scuba tour, the place you study scuba fundamentals within the security of a pool after which enterprise to the reef. Many boutique diving excursions will will let you use your scuba certifications for magnificent dives within the deep.

9. See the Island’s Range whereas Horseback Driving

Horseback using is a calming strategy to escape the crowds and see the range of this stunning island.

There are various several types of rides out there, from seaside horseback using to mountain trails. Some excursions provide a combo that features a trip via native villages, up into the mountains, and even a trip alongside the seaside.

10. Bike Round an Island on Hydrobikes

If you’re in search of an out-of-the-ordinary water sports activities expertise, hydrobiking is an thrilling selection. Hydrobikes have pedals like a conventional bicycle, however are on floats so that you glide on high of the ocean.

Your information will take you on a tour round a personal island close to French Key. Hydrobikes are simple for all talent ranges and are an energetic strategy to spend a couple of hours in Roatán. Simply remember to placed on loads of sunscreen.

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11. Eat and Seashore at Ginger’s on Half Moon Bay

Half-Moon Bay is situated on the West Finish of Roatán. It’s an distinctive seaside for swimming and snorkeling, and the placement of a scrumptious Caribbean Grill known as Ginger’s.

You should utilize the seaside chairs at Ginger’s for those who order meals OR simply come for the scrumptious contemporary seafood. Catch a recreation on the TV and order coconut shrimp and a frozen mojito.

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12. Cruise By the Mangroves

Positioned on the East Finish of Roatán, this tour contains transportation to Oakridge’s conventional Caribbean fishing village. The city is an fascinating go to, with buildings constructed on stilts over the water and fishing boats bobbing within the bay.

In Oakridge, you’ll board an genuine cayuco (a small motorized canoe), and journey with a information via a canal dug out within the mangroves a few years in the past to attach the harbors and bays. Components of the tunnel are barely vast sufficient for the boats to get via.

The land in mangrove forests offers shelter for migratory birds and monkeys, so there’s a good probability to see (and listen to) distinctive Roatán wildlife.

13. Spot Sea Turtles Underwater and On Land

For those who love sea turtles, Roatán is an excellent place to see them of their pure habitat. This island has three sorts of sea turtles: Hawksbill, Inexperienced, and Loggerhead Turtles.

The very best time to see sea turtles on land is throughout their nesting interval from July to August, once they come ashore to nest on West Bay Seashore and Paya Bay Seashore. If you’re in Roatán in the course of the non-nesting months, you too can observe these stunning sea creatures gliding within the crystal-clear waters.

Dive and snorkel excursions can be found that can take you to spots the place sea turtles frequent. Usually, they’re on the West Finish.

14. Take a Historic Dune Buggy Tour to Punta Gorda

This half-day tour will take you on an journey as much as the North Shore and the historic fishing village of Punta Gorda. Drivers should be 16 years or older and have a driver’s license.

Observe a tour information on an adventurous dune buggy drive to the Punta Gorda neighborhood. When you’ve arrived, take pleasure in a dance and music present by the Garinagu (Garifuna), natives of Roatán.

Afterwards, you should buy lunch from close by eating places, together with Garifuna favorites like Machuca, a scrumptious mash of inexperienced and candy plantains rolled into bites and dunked into tasty soups.

15. Monkey Round at Gumbalimba Park

This 20-acre beachfront journey park provides many choices for journey seekers. Your tour information will train you in regards to the historical past of the island of Roatán and its folks when you hike round and observe animals, together with monkeys and macaws, roaming of their pure surroundings.

After you’ve met the monkeys, you will get a monkey’ s-eye view of the park’s Path Cover Tour. You’ll zipline between 17 cable platforms extending from 120 to 500 toes in size.

Gumbalina additionally has water actions, together with kayaking and going to the seaside.

16. See Fish With out Getting Moist on a Glass Backside Boat Trip

Glass backside boats depart often from the seaside at West Bay on Roatán. For those who can’t snorkel or scuba however need to see the wonders of the reef, it is a unbelievable strategy to do it.

These boats have home windows which can be underwater in a “semi-submarine” expertise. Select a glass-bottom boat trip if you wish to witness the beautiful marine life in Roatán with out the trouble of sand and sunburns.

17. Underwater Scooter like a BOSS

If you would like a singular scuba-like expertise with out the certification, you possibly can e-book a BOSS (Respiratory Commentary Submersible Scooter) tour. Your journey will begin with a catamaran trip out to the reef. When you arrive, you’ll have the choice to make use of snorkel tools or check out the BOSS.

The BOSS submersible electrical scooter has an oxygen-filled respiratory helmet connected. You’ll have the ability to breathe freely when you scooter round 8 toes beneath the water floor, viewing the colourful marine life in Roatán.

18. Be taught About Native Flora on the Carambola Botanical Backyard

The 40-acre botanical backyard is residence to quite a lot of stunning vegetation, together with orchids, fruit and nut timber, flowering vegetation, medicinal vegetation, the world-famous Honduran mahogany tree, and the favored “Chocolate Tree.”

The botanical gardens could be visited as a self-guided tour, or for more cash, you possibly can have an informational guided tour by the founding father of the backyard. Plan on strolling alongside the jungle paths for wherever from half-hour to 2 hours.

19. Snorkel Proper-off Tabyana Seashore

The reef is extra accessible from this stunning seaside. Not like different seashores in Roatán, which require a brief boat trip to achieve the reef, you possibly can discover it about 300 toes off the shore of Tabyana Seashore, making it the most effective seashores for snorkeling.

Some excursions embody snorkeling at Tabyana, or you possibly can take a 20-25 minute taxi cab trip from the port.

You possibly can calm down on towels on the general public seaside or pay a resort price to make use of close by chairs. Native seaside distributors aren’t allowed in roped-off areas, so if you wish to calm down with out interruption, the resort price is well worth the cash.

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20. Spend the Day on the Non-public Island of Maya Key

Maya Secret is a small non-public island that’s situated 3 minutes from the Roatán Cruise Terminal and quarter-hour from Mahogany Bay Cruise Terminal.

This 11.5-acre island has two seashores, a 70,000-gallon pool, an animal rescue middle, jungle backyard paths, a Mayan Interpretation Middle, A Honduras Artwork Exhibit, a restaurant, and a shopping mall.

Day passes for Maya Key begin at $35 and embody a tour of the wildlife middle, entry to the seashores and swimming pools, and the usage of restroom amenities. It would value additional for the museums, meals and drinks, lockers and procuring.

21. Roatan Craft Markets

There are some superior craft markets in Roatan. Many objects are handcrafted by locals. One nice store is Rusty Fish, which makes use of recyclable supplies.

22. Pattern Native Rum on the Roatán Rum Firm 

Rum truffles, rum cigars, and, in fact, rum are the celebs of this tour. Positioned between West Finish and West Bay, the Roatán Rum Firm provides samples of distinctive artisan rums (darkish chocolate, spiced, and Caribbean coconut, to call a couple of) and rum truffles.

Roatán Rum Co. is situated proper throughout from El Faro Lighthouse and subsequent door to a small memento market. Many excursions mix the three.

23. Select Your Journey with a Customizable “Better of Roatán” Tour

If you’re having a tough time deciding between all of those thrilling excursions, a “Better of” tour is perhaps the way in which to have your rum cake and eat it, too.

You possibly can select the actions you need and have the experience of an area driver to get you the place you have to go. Roatán is sufficiently small that you need to have the ability to slot in a number of actions, and tour guides are sometimes versatile with the climate.

A customizable tour is an effective way to expertise all that Roatán has to supply.

Roatan Cruise Port Regularly Requested Questions

What’s the greatest time of yr to go to Roatán? 

The very best time to go to Roatán is between February and Could. This may put you within the candy spot of much less precipitation, heat (however not scorching) temperatures, and fewer humidity. 

How far is downtown Roatán from the cruise port? 

Regardless of which port you dock in (Mahogany Bay Cruise Middle or Coxen Gap), you’re near actions and consuming.

Coxen Gap (The Port of Roatán) cruise port places you on the doorstep of the island’s greatest city. 

The Mahogany Bay Cruise Middle’s 20-acre complicated provides loads of choices. It’s a few 16-minute drive from downtown Coxen Gap.

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Closing Ideas On Issues to Do in Roatán Cruise Port

Roatán provides all kinds of excursions, permitting cruisers to discover the pure wonders of the Mesoamerican Reef and expertise the folks and cultures that make this island an enchanting place to go to.

Have you ever been to Roatán but? What was your favourite a part of this historic metropolis?

Completely happy Cruising!

Stephanie

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