Roatan Cruise Port: Top 5 Things To Do & See

Roatan, Honduras, that little gem in the Caribbean, often welcomes visitors arriving on cruise ships. Finding cool things to keep you entertained during your visit is super important. Thinking through what you’d like to do makes your short time in Roatan pretty memorable. Let’s have a look at the absolute top things you’ve got to experience while you’re on the island. It’s almost like we’re uncovering some of the best secrets this place has to give.

1. Relaxing at West Bay Beach

West Bay Beach, that spot you have to see, usually makes it on most “best of” lists, and rightly so! That water is crystal clear and so very inviting, and the sand? Think soft, like walking on clouds kind of soft. You know, many visitors love to come and just unwind on the beach, soak in the sunshine, and maybe take a refreshing dip. It’s typically perfect for people who just want to chill and not do too much. There are also many cool water activities there too, should you want to get a little more active.

That location is very, very popular, so that area can get somewhat crowded, particularly when many cruise ships are visiting Roatan. You could think of perhaps arriving early to grab a sweet spot, so, maybe get your beach towel down early in the morning! While you are there, are you feeling a bit hungry or thirsty? So, don’t worry; there are often plenty of bars and restaurants around West Bay where you could easily grab a tasty bite or a cold drink. So, spending a relaxing day at West Bay Beach is generally thought of as a superb thing to do while at Roatan.

2. Snorkeling or Scuba in the Mesoamerican Reef

You see, Roatan boasts having the Mesoamerican Reef right nearby, that second biggest barrier reef on the planet. If you are interested in snorkeling, this is an incredible experience because you can get to see a kaleidoscope of colorful marine life so amazingly close. You can probably spot fish of all colors, interesting coral formations, and maybe even a turtle or two! So, it’s worth bringing an underwater camera to take pictures of the creatures that you will find.

Even if you’ve never gone scuba diving before, you could maybe take a resort course, which could give you an introduction to scuba, so that you can explore some underwater spots. Of course, there’s plenty of certified spots for experienced divers, where you are likely to see things that will make memories that stick with you. Plus, you know, the reef plays a critical role in Roatan’s ecological system; seeing it firsthand almost gives you an even deeper respect for nature, that’s for sure.

3. Explore the Gumbalimba Park

Do you fancy a bit of adventure with a bit of relaxation thrown in? The Gumbalimba Park tends to provide precisely that mix, in a way. When you’re there, one thing to look for is the monkeys. These friendly critters are always very cute, yet that said, always listen to instructions from the guides to ensure your safety, as well as theirs. They’re often playful. It’s quite fun to just watch them.

Furthermore, they have those cool suspension bridges hanging around in the trees, where you could stroll and drink in all the amazing island scenery, it feels just a little bit surreal. Oh, plus there’s that beach access and pool on offer at the park. After all that exploration, it’s pretty great to kick back in or by the water. I mean the combination really gives you the best of both resting spots and things that get your pulse going. Gumbalimba Park usually gives people fun memories; people end up happy they visited.

4. Visit the Roatan Institute for Marine Sciences (RIMS)

Do you happen to be someone keen to know a bit more about marine life and Roatan’s environment? Roatan Institute for Marine Sciences (RIMS), that area is a superb spot for discovering and also interacting with dolphins. Actually, many of the guests mention how informative they found those dolphin encounter programs. You might learn heaps concerning these clever mammals. The conservation effort is just, it gives everyone the feels, it does.

If dolphins are not your thing, the Institute sometimes gives tours focused upon marine conservation, and that’s so interesting for the sake of really learning how important marine life tends to be in the Caribbean. The thing about RIMS is, really, by getting insight, guests could definitely acquire greater regard for what should be protected within our ecosystem, which could impact just about every visitor.

5. Garifuna Cultural Tour

For something slightly different, go immerse in Roatan’s heritage by experiencing a Garifuna cultural tour. It can almost feel pretty authentic since it involves local guides from that culture, sharing information on things like their histories, that music, that dancing. Plus, that cuisine? Really is an exploration alone! That taste alone is probably worth that travel, for real.

Some tours will take you to Sandy Bay, so you’ll explore and maybe check out the cultural preservation centers that might teach you quite a bit concerning Garifuna customs. It is generally really impactful to check out, given those dance rituals that people may attend. This type of learning could lead to some even deeper recognition for the varied culture found across Roatan. Such engagement is more than merely visiting some vacation place, and you’ll discover unique people, in the same way, very different from anyplace that tourists previously knew!