Best Things to Do in Roatán on a Cruise: Must-Do Shore Excursions & Activities

Roatán, the largest of the Bay Islands located off the northern coast of Honduras, is one of the most popular cruise destinations in the western Caribbean. There are actually two main ports on Roatán, the Port of Roatan located in the main town of Coxen Hole and Mahogany Bay located in Dixon Cove. Given its location near a barrier reef, Roatan offers a variety of water-based activities and marine life to explore, as well as beautiful beaches. There is also the jungle and the island’s native flora and fauna, plus the lively downtown atmosphere. If your next cruise is stopping at the island, we have you covered with our 2025 list of the best things to do in Roatán, Honduras on a cruise.

1. Go Wild at Gumbalimba

Gumbalimba Park, located in West Bay, is a unique beachfront attraction. Unlike other beaches though, you can get up close and personal with some pretty awesome creatures here. While touring the grounds, you can cross a 237-foot-long bamboo suspension bridge, pose with a macaw, stroll the botanical gardens, and see the many iguanas roaming the property.

Of course, the main attraction at Gumbalimba is the White Face Capuchin Monkeys. In the Monkey Refuge, you will be greeted by these social creatures and can take photos of them. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can always add on a zip line tour to your visit at Gumbalimba Park as well.

Tour Duration: 4.5-6 hours
Price Range: $80-$130 per person
Best For: Animal lovers

Sample Tour: Gumbalimba Park and Island Tour

2. Escape to Little French Key

Little French Key is a private island resort that is highly rated among cruisers visiting Roatan. Different packages are available including use of the white sand beaches, food, and drinks. There are also a number of add-ons like horseback riding, massages, and more. This private escape also offers combo tours which include access to the resort in addition to either a visit to AJ’s Sloth Farm, a guided Mayatlantis tour, a guided snorkel tour, a zip line ride, or scuba diving.

Most cruise lines offer packages to the neighboring Big French Key instead. Big French Key offers a similar, yet more simplistic experience.

Tour Duration: 5-6 hours
Price Range: Island packages range from $70-$100 per person. Packages with add-ons start at $108 per person
Best For: Cruisers of all ages looking for a beach day with everything easily accessible

Sample Tour: White Water Drift Snorkel and Sloth Hangout

3. Explore an Eco Nature Park

For a similar experience, many cruisers also enjoy the Manawakie Eco Nature Park. Located on the north side of Roatán, you can also interact with many exotic animals here. At Manawakie Eco Nature Park, you will get up close to sloths, birds, monkeys, and more.

The Mayan Eden Eco Park is another option located a bit closer to the cruise port. Here, you will find a butterfly and hummingbird sanctuary, in addition to monkeys, birds, and sloths. You can also add on a zip line tour at this attraction.

Both options are great cruise excursions for nature lovers.

Tour Duration: 3.5-5 hours
Price Range: $65-$100 per person
Best For: Visitors of all ages who love nature and animals

Sample Tour: Ecological Nature Park, City and Beach

4. Hang Around With Some Sloths

If your priority is making sure you get great selfies with sloths and monkeys, you can visit one of the sanctuaries on the island. Daniel Johnson’s Monkey and Sloth Hangout is highly rated among cruisers. At the Hangout, you will get a guided tour and learn all about the animals.

Victor Bodden’s Monkey and Sloth Sanctuary is another popular option. A visit here can be combined with other activities offered by the company like the Fun-N-Sun or Zip-N-Dip tours.

If iguanas are your thing, you might want to visit Arch’s Iguana & Marine Park.

Tour Duration: 3.5-5 hours
Price Range: $70-$100 per person
Best For: Those who are big fans of sloths and animals in general!

Sample Tour: Monkeys, Sloths and Iguanas

5. Make It a Beach Day

West Bay Beach is ranked as one of the best beaches in the world. So of course, it makes our list of the best things to do in Roatan on a cruise. Most cruise lines offer excursions to Tabyana Beach which is actually just a section of West Bay Beach with reserved loungers. Bananarama is a resort located on West Bay that also offer a cruise line package with transportation.

Turquoise Bay Resort and Sol y Mar beach club are other options located on the island.

Further, West End (different from West Bay) is home to Half Moon Bay beach. This popular beach is great for snorkeling and tends to be less crowded than West Bay.

Tour Duration: 4-6 hours
Price Range: $45-$90 per person
Best For: Those looking for a relaxing beach day

Sample Tour: West Bay Beach Resort Getaway

6. Maya Key Private Island Retreat

If you are looking for a private resort that is suitable for the whole family, Maya Key might be the best option. This 11.5-acre sanctuary offers beaches, pools, restaurants, snorkeling, animal encounters, and more. There is certainly something for everyone in your travel party at Maya Key.

You can choose to relax on one of two beaches, lounge on the sun deck near the pool, or stroll the botanical gardens. There is also a Mayan Interpretation Center and Ethnic Honduran Art Exhibit Center on property. The Animal Rescue Center allows you to see macaws, toucans, monkeys, and even jaguars.

Tour Duration: 4-5 hours
Price Range: $85-$100 per person
Best For: Those looking to spend time on a beautiful beach with everything you need nearby

Maya Key info: Maya Key

7. Visit West End Village

The town of West End, also referred to as “The Strip”, is known for more than just Half Moon Bay Beach. Located about 20 minutes from the cruise pier (35 minutes from Mahogany Bay), this tourist hotspot is hopping with hotels, restaurants, bars, artisan markets, and plenty of water-based activities. You can spend your day just strolling the strip and enjoying the lively atmosphere.

Or perhaps, you’d like to take advantage of one of the many dive shops located in the area for some scuba diving, SNUBA, or snorkeling. You can also take a glass-bottom boat tour, a fishing charter, or a kayak excursion if you’d prefer to stay above water.

If you like to shop, you will want to stop in at The Rusty Fish art store to purchase some souvenirs made from recycled goods or Waves of Art featuring crafts from local artists. A visit to the Roatán Chocolate Factory for some sweet treats is also a must during a call at the Roatán cruise port.

For a cool rum experience, just a quick five minute drive from West End Village towards West Bay is the Roatán Rum Company. There, you can try samples of rums and rum cakes. Across the street from the rum company is the El Faro lighthouse, which provides a great vantage point to get photos of both sides of the island.

Tour Duration: 4-5 hours
Price Range: $70-$90 per person
Best For: Those looking to explore the local culture

Sample Tour: Discover Roatan Above & Below

8. Immerse Yourself in the Meso-American Reef

As previously mentioned, Roatán is known for diving and snorkeling, just like other nearby Western Caribbean ports of call like Costa Maya and Belize. Given its location on the Mesoamerican reef, the 2^nd largest reef in the world, Roatán offers you the opportunity to view some spectacular coral formations and diverse sea life.

Even though a majority of the dive shops are located at West End, you can have an amazing time snorkeling just about anywhere on the island. That means you can combine one of the many other activities with snorkeling to make for a perfect day ashore.

There are several cruise line excursions offered that include snorkeling. So, grab your gear, hop into the crystal-clear waters, and get ready for one of the best snorkeling experiences you will ever have.

Tour Duration: 3.5-5 hours
Price Range: $75-$120 per person
Best For: Teenagers and adults who love being in the water

Sample Tour: Three Stop Snorkel with Lunch

9. Soar to New Heights

If you’d prefer to trade the snorkeling, shopping, and ordinary beach days for something a bit more extreme, why not soar to new heights during your visit to Roatán? Explore this beautiful western Caribbean port of call from a completely new vantage point as you zip through the jungle on one of many thrilling zip line courses.

South Shore Zipline Adventures is the most popular of the companies. With over two miles of zip lines, the Zuperman zipline (which allows you to be suspended face-down), and a series of suspension bridges, this tour is definitely for all the thrill seekers among us.

Jungle Top Zipline, Mayan Jungle Canopy Zipline, and Pirates of the Caribbean Zipline & Canopy are just a few of the other zip courses available in Roatan. What’s your favorite?

Tour Duration: 2-5 hours
Price Range: $70-$110 per person
Best For: Adventurous thrill-seekers

Sample Tour: Zuperman Zip Line and Beach

10. ATV Jungle Tour

For more jungle adventures, you can zoom off on an ATV through one of Roatán’s adventure parks on some scenic nature trails. There will be plenty of sightseeing opportunities, flora and fauna to admire, as well as some muddy fun. Similar dune buggy experiences are also available.

These tours are usually combined with visits to other island attractions, like eco parks or beaches to round out a fun-filled day in Roatan.

Prices: The ATV & Jungle Beach Safari ranges from $60-$78 per person depending on age
Best For: Those looking for an adventurous port day in Roatan

ATV Tours info: Xplore Roatan

Roatan Frequently Asked Questions

Is Roatan a walkable port?

There are two ports in Roatan. Mahogany Bay, which is primarily used by Carnival Corporation cruise brands, is a fully developed port area with shops, a few food and beverage options, and a ski resort-style chair lift that takes visitors over the water to the nearby Mahogany Beach. Beyond the port area and Mahogany Beach, you’ll need to take a taxi or go on an organized excursion as there isn’t a town center within easy walking distance.

The Port of Roatan is located in Coxen Hole, which is the capital of Roatán. It’s used by all of the other cruise lines that visit Roatan that are not under the Carnival Corporation umbrella. The pier is located a bit southwest of city center, but downtown is located within walking distance — about 15-20 minutes.

How long do cruise ships typically stay in Roatan?

Cruise ships typically stay in Roatan for eight to 10 hours. This allows for plenty of time to do a long excursion, or a few shorter activities before heading back to the ship.

Do you need a passport to cruise to Roatan?

If you’re a U.S. citizen taking a closed-loop cruise from the U.S. (meaning the cruise begins and ends in the same homeport), you technically can take a cruise to Roatan with just your birth certificate and a government-issued ID (like a driver’s license). However, we highly recommend cruising with a passport.

Can you use U.S. dollars in Roatan?

The official currency in Roatan is the Honduran Lempira. However, U.S. dollars are also commonly used across the island.

Comments

Have you visited Roatan on a cruise? What is your favorite thing to do in this western Caribbean port of call? Drop us an anchor below to let us know how you like to spend your time when visiting Roatán, Honduras on a cruise.