West Bay Beach

West Bay Beach is one of the best spots on Roatan Island to spend a day relaxing in the sun or snorkeling. Adventurous travelers can also enjoy a range of water sports, including scuba diving and jet skiing. Those who’d prefer to stay dry can opt for a glass-bottom boat tour above the offshore reef.

Many of the resorts lining West Bay Beach allow visitors who aren’t staying overnight to use their facilities for a small fee. These day passes typically include access to a swimming pool, beach chairs, and showers and sometimes also include a credit for food or drinks.

• West Bay Beach can get very crowded, so arrive early to stake out a space in the sand.

• Don’t forget to pack a bathing suit, a beach towel, and reef-safe sun protection. You may also want to bring an umbrella for shade, if you’re not planning to use a local resort’s facilities.

• There is no fee to access West Bay Beach.

• Visitors can rent snorkeling equipment at beachside outfitters.

West Bay Beach is on the west coast of Roatan. To reach the beach from West End Village, you can take a car or water taxi, both of which take about 10 minutes. The beach is roughly a 30-minute drive from Juan Manuel Gálvez International Airport and the Port of Roatan cruise ship terminal.

The best time of year to enjoy the beaches on Roatan, including West Bay Beach, is between March and May. Avoid the area when a cruise ship is moored, as it can get overrun with passengers.

For a romantic evening out in Roatan’s West End, start with cocktails and dinner at one of the restaurants at West Bay Beach, where the sunsets are often spectacular. Afterward, take a water taxi to West End Village, a popular spot full of restaurants, bars, and lounges, where you can enjoy live music, karaoke, and dancing.

West Bay Beach is a popular tourist destination on Roatan Islan, thanks to its white sand beaches and emerald waters. It offers cruise day-trippers the opportunity to explore a part of the island away from the port while also visiting Gumbalimba Park and the Roatan Rum Company nearby.

West Bay Beach is located in West Bay on Roatan island. West Bay is on the island's westernmost tip. From the Roatan island ferry terminal, it’s about 10 miles (16 kilometers) away for a 30-minute drive. The popular Kimpton Grand Roatan Resort and Spa is on West Bay Beach.

West Bay Beach doesn’t take long to tour; the beach runs north to south for approximately 1 mile (2 kilometers), and most visitors spend their time at the beach. West Bay, the town along the coast, can take three to six hours if you visit Gumbalimba Park and Casita Monita.

Getting from West End to West Bay Beach is relatively easy. The two towns are approximately 3 miles (5 kilometers) apart and can be reached in 10 minutes by taxi. It's a 30-minute drive from Coxen Hole, and most day-trippers arrange a taxi through their hotel or cruise line.

There are hotels and restaurants along West Bay Beach, but they reserve their restrooms for paying customers. If you’re interested in additional amenities like showers, towels, or sun loungers, ask hotels, restaurants, or your cruise line about any day passes they offer to the surrounding West Bay beach clubs.

Yes, West Bay Beach is family-friendly. Many beachside hotels like the Kimpton Grand Roatan Resort and Spa and Xbalanque Resort are family-friendly. Day cruisers often visit this popular cruise island stop with their kids to snorkel, swim, and dive. There are multiple dive shops and equipment rentals.