Roatan Island Isla Tropicale-Coxen Hole, Honduras

1148 Cruises availables At departure or passage at this port

Carnival Cruise Line (200 Cruises)

Carnival Jubilee.

Carnival Jubilee

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carnival liberty

Carnival Liberty

2974 Passengers
110000 tons
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Crystal Cruises (24 Cruises)

Holland America Line (29 Cruises)

MSC Cruises (294 Cruises)

msc poesia cruise ship

MSC Poesia

3223 Passengers
92627 tons
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msc cruises msc seascape cruise ship

MSC Seascape

4540 Passengers
169400 tons
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MSC World America

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Norwegian Cruise Line (145 Cruises)

Norwegian Getaway Cruise Ship

Norwegian Getaway

3969 Passengers
145655 tons
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Cruise NCL Norwegian Cruise Line Viva Ship

Norwegian Viva

3099 Passengers
142500 tons
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Oceania Cruises (34 Cruises)

Princess Cruises (88 Cruises)

Star Princess.

Star Princess

2600 Passengers
108977 tons
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Sun Princess.

Sun Princess

2000 Passengers
77441 tons
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Regent Seven Seas Cruises (34 Cruises)

Royal Caribbean Cruises (240 Cruises)

royal caribbean enchantment of the seas cruise ship

Enchantment of the Seas

2284 Passengers
82910 tons
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royal caribbean icon of the seas cruise ship

Icon of the Seas

5610 Passengers
248 tons
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Cruise RCI Royal Caribbean Star of the Seas Ship

Star of the Seas

5610 Passengers
248 tons
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Symphony of the Seas ship

Symphony of the Seas

5580 Passengers
225000 tons
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Roatán Port, Honduras | Cruise Port Guide & Shore Excursions Meta Description:

Long before the pier, it's the colour of the water that announces Roatán. The Mesoamerican Reef, the second-largest barrier reef in the world, comes close to the surface here and traces gradients of turquoise around the island that are visible from the ship's deck. The largest of Honduras's Bay Islands stretches for some sixty kilometres, covered with green hills, and has always lived to the rhythm of the sea.

Two terminals, one island

Ships dock at two separate locations. Carnival and its sister lines go to Isla Tropicale, formerly Mahogany Bay, a complex developed around a private cove with its strip of sand, shops and chairlift over the palm trees. Other cruise lines use the Coxen Hole pier, right in the heart of the small island capital, with its duty-free shops and craft market at the exit of the landing. About five kilometres separate the two facilities, and in both cases, taxis and shuttles wait at the exit to take you toward the western tip, where the most beautiful shores are concentrated.

West Bay, the shore that made Roatán famous

About twenty minutes' drive from the terminals, West Bay lines up nearly two kilometres of pale sand backed by shallow water. The reef comes within a few dozen metres of the shore: a mask and snorkel are all you need to glide over the corals, meet parrotfish and sometimes a ray. It's the busiest spot on the island, and for good reason. Those who prefer a more local atmosphere stop just before, in the village of West End, with its colourful wooden shacks, dive schools and small restaurants with their feet in the sand, where you can eat grilled lobster while watching the boats go by.

Sloths and macaws in the heart of the forest

Roatán has also carved out an endearing specialty: its wildlife sanctuaries. Several parks set between the hills and the coast let you get close to sloths, capuchin monkeys, iguanas and scarlet macaws, the national bird of Honduras. Visits are easily combined with a zipline over the canopy or a swim stop, all within half a day. Families can't get enough, and you understand why when you see a sloth lazily clinging to a child's shoulder.

Beneath the surface

Certified divers know these waters by reputation: dizzying walls, coral gardens, wrecks and remarkably clear water twelve months a year, all a few minutes by boat from shore. Dive centres on the west coast organize outings to fit port call schedules, including introductory dives for beginners supervised in small groups. Those who prefer to stay dry can opt for a glass-bottom boat excursion from the terminals.

Before heading back on board

At the end of the day, the Isla Tropicale chairlift carries passengers back to the ship above the flame trees, while in Coxen Hole the stalls of vanilla, hot sauces and carved wood make their last sales. From the deck, you follow the pale line of the reef beneath the surface for a long time. Roatán leaves the memory of water you won't find anywhere else in the western Caribbean, and a clear wish to come back with more time, and perhaps a diving certification in your pocket.

Practical pointers

  • Two terminals: Isla Tropicale (Carnival and associated lines) and Coxen Hole (other lines), about 5 km apart.
  • West Bay is 11 or 12 km from the piers; allow 20 to 30 minutes by taxi depending on traffic.
  • The US dollar is accepted everywhere; agree on the fare before getting into the taxi.
  • Book wildlife excursions and diving early: spaces go quickly on busy days.

Frequently Asked Questions

At one of two terminals, depending on the line: Isla Tropicale (formerly Mahogany Bay) for Carnival and its sister brands, or the Coxen Hole pier in the middle of the island capital. About five kilometres separate them.
Isla Tropicale is a purpose-built complex around a private cove, with its strip of sand, shops and a chairlift over the palms. Coxen Hole opens straight onto the town, with duty-free shops and a craft market at the pier exit.
By taxi or shuttle: 11 to 12 kilometres and 20 to 30 minutes depending on traffic. Agree the fare before getting in.
Nearly two kilometres of pale sand against shallow water, the beach that made the island's name. The reef comes within a few dozen metres of shore: mask and snorkel are enough to drift over the coral. It is also the busiest spot on the island.
West End village, just before it: colourful wooden cabins, dive schools and small restaurants with their feet in the sand. The mood is more local, and you can eat grilled lobster watching the boats go by.
Yes. Several animal sanctuaries between the hills and the coast let you get close to sloths, capuchin monkeys, iguanas and scarlet macaws, Honduras's national bird. Visits combine easily with a zip line or a swim stop in half a day.
Excellent and well known: sheer walls, coral gardens, wrecks and remarkably clear water twelve months a year, minutes offshore. West coast dive centres tailor trips to port call schedules, including intro dives for beginners.
A glass-bottom boat trip from the terminals shows the reef without diving. The Isla Tropicale chairlift also gives a view over the flame trees.
The US dollar is accepted everywhere on the island. The lempira remains the national currency, but you will not need to change money for a port call.
Yes, particularly the wildlife excursions and diving: places go quickly on busy days, when several ships are alongside at once.