Roatán Cruise Ports

The Basics

Compact Roatan—just 31 miles (50 kilometers) from end to end—is easy to explore from wherever your ship docks, and both Roatan cruise ports are convenient jumping-off points for shore excursions. Popular options include sun-soaked tours to West Bay Beach and Gumbalimba Park, snorkeling and scuba diving trips to Roatan Marine Park, and active jungle adventures, as well as nature tours that feature the Roatan Butterfly Garden, Daniel Johnson’s Monkey and Sloth Hangout, and rainforest canopy ziplines.

Things to Know Before You Go

• There are two cruise ports on Roatan: Coxen Hole and Mahogany Bay Cruise Center.

• Both Roatan cruise ports have terminals with restrooms, ATMs, duty-free stores, souvenir shops, Wi-Fi, and restaurants.

• Bring plenty of reef-safe sunscreen. These formulas—which don’t include ingredients like oxybenzone and octinoxate—won’t harm the coral.

• Malaria is present in the Bay Islands. Safeguard against mosquito bites with insect repellent and protective clothing.

• If you’re planning to do any hiking or zipline tours, bring a sturdy pair of closed-toe shoes.

• Many beach tours cover beach fees and offer access to facilities, in addition to providing transportation.

How to Get Around Roatan From the Roatan Cruise Ports

While Coxen Hole is more centrally located than Mahogany Bay, Roatan’s compact size makes it easy to sightsee from either port. Most shore excursions include pickup and drop-off at your port. To explore on your own, you can book a car and driver before you arrive, or take a taxi, which are available at both ports and generally charge fixed rates for zones within the island.

Port Information

Most Caribbean cruise lines stop at one of Roatan’s two ports. Many local residents speak both English and Spanish. The local currency is the lempira, but US dollars are accepted at most tourist destinations. If you pay with US dollars, you will usually be given change in lempiras. Be aware that the electricity on the island fails fairly regularly.