Caribbean Cruise Destinations-Isla Roatan, Honduras
Ranked #4,961 in Travel & Places, #144,296 overall
Roatan Island, Honduras
Roatan
is famous for its scuba diving and being located near the largest barrier reef in the Caribbean Sea and second largest in the world. Only Australia's Great Barrier Reef is larger.
Both
Spanish and a form of English are spoken here. The first permanent English settlers in Roatan and Northern Honduras probably came from the Cayman Islands and Jamaica in the early 1800's after slavery was abolished.
The
English speaking population is known by the term Caracol. The term Caracol (conch or snail) presently refers to all people born in the Bay Islands (of which Roatan is one).
Tourism
is its most important economic sector, though fishing is also an important source of income for islanders. It has become a major stop on the Western Caribbean cruise routes in recent years.
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This
lens is one of a series that the author is providing on over twenty cruise destinations in the Caribbean. Each lens will include general information on the destination, suggested shore excursions, and video and photographic illustrations where appropriate.
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Suggested Shore Excursions For Roatan, Honduras
Shore excursions
are a major part of all cruise destinations. If you do not wish to spend all your time on ship, and most tourists don't, then you need to experience the local culture and sites through shore excursions. You generally have a wide range of shore excursions that you can choose from, but you can only choose one or two shore excursions within the time you have available.
Remember that you can always see the rest on your NEXT cruise to Isla Roatan. I am listing a few of the shore excursions listed by Carnival cruise lines below.
The full list of twenty plus or minus excursions can be found HERE.
If you go to the Carnival Cruise Lines site above, you will be able to click on links for each excursion which will give detailed descriptions of each excursion.
The photos with the excursions below are from Carnival's site and are specific to their excursions. Other cruise lines may have different excursions.
Follow the links on the linked excursions to see the original pictures and a more detailed description of the excursion.
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Dolphin Encounter & Tabyana Beach Day
5 Hours
A combination of a once in a lifetime encounter with Atlantic bottle-nosed dolphins with a relaxing day in paradise, where jungle meets powdery white sand beach and crystal clear waters.
Note: Minimum age is 8 years, actual dolphin encounter time is approximately 30 minutes. All transportation and equipment is provided, an approximate 30-minute bus ride, takes you to the beach, with return transportation departing the beach every ½ hour.
Equipment is available for rent at the beach. Please see the Shore Excursion Desk onboard for additional information/transportation for this excursion.
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Garifuna & Mangrove Tunnel
4 Hours
On this excursion you will: Get an opportunity to watch traditional dances of the Garifuna people, descendents of African slaves stranded here since 1797.Glimpse into their daily lives as they prepare cassava bread using a mud stove, weave baskets and create beautiful crafts. Learn the history of the Garifuna people and their voyage from Africa to Roatan. Visit Jonesville, a stilt village for a 30-minute trip through the mangrove tunnels.
Have great photo opportunities from hilltops, beaches and mangroves throughout the excursion.
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Semi-Submarine & West End Village
3.5 Hours
Experience the thrill of underwater discovery as well as a chance to explore and shop in the quaint West End Village. While you are seated in air-conditioned comfort, your guide will explain the underwater environment, as you observe beautiful coral formations, living reef, and colorful tropical fish. You will see our amazing coral reef without even getting wet on this approximate 30-minute ride!. . . Then you will be taken to the center of West End Village, in our beautiful meeting point built on the water, where complimentary Honduran coffee, lemonade or iced tea are offered...Last but not least, visit the only Cameo Factory in the Americas. During this shopping stop admire many cameos pieces, hand made bracelets, rings and necklaces in bullion, gold and silver. Each of one pieces are one of a kind and the attention to detail and exquisite craftsmanship of each work of art is unmistakable. . -
Snuba
3 Hours
Experience the wonders beneath the sea without having to be a certified scuba diver. Enjoy a fun combination of snorkeling and scuba diving that allows you to explore without the cumbersome scuba equipment and without the surface limitations of snorkeling.
Take an island bus from the pier to Gumbalimba Nature Park. Have an orientation and practice session in shallow water.
Walk into the water and snuba at a depth comfortable to you -- a maximum of 20 feet. Walk among the starfish, rays, octopi and juvenile fish hiding in the sea grass. Move on to a coral reef teeming with a spectrum of tropical fish.
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Catamaran Sail & Snorkel
4.5 Hours
Sail through the crystal clear Caribbean waters off Roatan's coast aboard a 70-foot, yacht style catamaran.
After a half-hour bus transfer from your ship to the catamaran dock and be introduced to your catamaran, the Graziafeilce, that has sailed around the world several times and features the finest mahogany and maple, a spacious interior, three areas furnished with sofas, a wet bar, two large trampolines suspended between the hulls and airy sundecks.
Enjoy the Caribbean breeze as you sail along Roatan's scenic coastline for approximately one hour, then drop anchor and enjoy some of the best snorkeling along the coast.
Marvel at the spectacular coral formations and beautiful tropical fish.
After approximately one hour of snorkeling, relax onboard with a complimentary beverage and a light lunch while you sail back to the pier. -
Clear Kayak, Snorkeling, & Gumbalimba Park
3 Hours
Glide over the reefs in your very own clear kayak and see the ocean as you've never seen it before. You will take an island bus to Gumbalimba Nature Park for your equipment and a safety briefing.
Start at the beach and paddle your kayak along the white sand beaches, jungle-covered hillsides, and over the coral reefs. Get a closer look at the marine life when you stop to snorkel along the way or near Gumbalimba Park.
Enjoy one hour of free time to take a stroll through the park or relax on a hammock or lounge chair at the Park's beach.
Aerial Tour of Roatan Honduras
This three minute video takes the viewer completely around the island in a small aircraft.
It gives a very good overview of the island from above.
Check Out Some Of Our Sponsors
Diving Resources For Roatan
Cruise Trip Toolbox
"Know Before You Go"
It is always a good idea to know the basics before you leave on your cruise. The following links will aid you in preparing for your cruise.
From currency exchange to travel warnings, it is all here.
And, don't forget your passport. Never leave home without it.
- Universal Currency Converter
Check out the current exchange rates before you sail.
- Latest Custom Restrictions
Get the latest Customs warnings, regulations, etc.
- Foreign Entry Requirements
Different situations require different documents. Please become familiar with the specific document requirements for the country(s) you are visiting. More information on these documents can be found here.
- Travel Advisories
Travel documentation requirements and international travel reminders.
- U.S. Department of State Travel Warnings
Get the latest U.S. Department of State travel warnings at this site.
- Book Your Travel Here Or Research Options Further
This is my full service travel web site where you can research and book cruises, flights, car rentals, hotels, or even purchase travel insurance.
Current Weather In Roatan, Honduras
Current weather conditions in Roatan, Honduras
Local Pollen Reports
29°C (Feels like 33°C)
Last update: 6/4/12 8:00 PM Local Time
Humidity: 74%Visibility: 10.0 km
Dew Point: 24°C
UV Index: 0 (Lawn and Garden Weather)
Barometer: 1010.2mm rising
Moon: Rush Hour Traffic
Wind: 37km/h From: Airport Conditions

Tonight
Low
Low: 27°C
Sunrise: 5:13 AM
Sunset: 6:16 PM

Tuesday
Jun 5
N/A
High: 31°C
Low: 27°C
Sunrise: 5:13 AM
Sunset: 6:16 PM

Wednesday
Jun 6
Partly Cloudy / Wind
High: 32°C
Low: 28°C
Sunrise: 5:13 AM
Sunset: 6:17 PM

Thursday
Jun 7
Isolated T-Storms
High: 32°C
Low: 28°C
Sunrise: 5:13 AM
Sunset: 6:17 PM
Other Western Caribbean Destinations To Consider
Isla Roatan, Honduras is only one destination on the Western Caribbean Cruises.
Although the specific destinations vary by cruise line, there are certain destinations that are common to most of these cruises.

Shark Diving In Roatan
Some Representative Photos From Roatan, Honduras
Roatan, Honduras Dolphin Dive
How Do You Like The New Look?
Every time I do a new Caribbean Destination lens, I try to add some additional glitz and glamour to it. Sometimes I succeed. Sometimes I don't. I am even going back to add upgraded touches to the previously published lens. In this lens, I introduced a new effect, that of a three-dimensional feel. This is done by using certain combinations of color which give the effect of depth. Let me know if you like this effect. I'd love to hear from you.
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colibri
Jan 7, 2012 @ 6:28 pm | delete
- true, great 3D effect but horrible to try to read! Hurts my eyes!
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elsiehui Jun 15, 2011 @ 5:13 pm | delete
- Great Lens! Be sure to check out Cruise Ship Balcony Deals!
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KatBar
May 1, 2011 @ 11:30 pm | delete
- Had a chance to go to Isla Roatan-so beautiful.
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blackspanielgallery
Mar 10, 2011 @ 7:50 am | delete
- good lens
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CruiseReady Jan 2, 2011 @ 8:59 am | delete
- I absolutely LOVE Roatan. Just get me on a ship, take me there, and I am in heaven!
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FamilyVacations
Nov 23, 2010 @ 8:13 pm | delete
- I like you lens. Lots of info and pics.A caribbean cruise would be a great trip.
Cheap All Inclusive Vacations
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timmay2010
Oct 13, 2010 @ 10:12 am | delete
- Excellent site, keep up the good work. I read a lot of forums on a daily basis and for the most part, people lack substance but, I just wanted to make a quick comment to say I'm glad I found your forum. Thanks
Personal Injury Solicitors
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tata2010
Oct 9, 2010 @ 7:34 am | delete
- Placed on the Caribbean plate, this region houses more than seven thousand islands most of them enclosing the sea and there are some special tourist attractions like the National Park in Curacao.
Cheap Cruises
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patbham
Jun 10, 2009 @ 9:42 pm | delete
- I thought i waould return the favor you stoped by my article and you left a your self in my fan club. Thank you so much i am reading your other stuff now!
patbham
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tef
Apr 10, 2009 @ 12:35 pm | delete
- 5***** I wish I'd seen your lens before we went to Roatan before we went last year.
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TopStyleTravel
Apr 10, 2009 @ 12:25 pm | delete
- Great lens on Roatan, 5 stars! The info, pics, & resources are great. The colors in this lens are lovely but a little hard on the eyes. Congrats on the Top 100!
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anthropos
Mar 2, 2009 @ 5:27 pm | in reply to poddys | delete
- Tony, thanks for dropping by. I realize that this effect can be hard on some people. I have generally limited its use to 2 lenses, this one and one I did specifically on using 3-D effects such as this one. This effect probably has limited usefulness, but I like to do things differently once in a while.
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poddys
Mar 2, 2009 @ 3:43 pm | delete
- Very nice lens and very interesting effect. 5***** Unfortunately the red doesn't give enough contrast for me so I can't read it properly - my eyes aren't as good as they once were. I was supposed to visit Roatan some years ago when I installed a computer system for a client in San Pedro Sula (Honduras), but the dates got changed and we couldn't go the the reef. I did get to visit the Mayan ruins at Copan though, very different but equally impressive.
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julcal
Feb 20, 2009 @ 4:36 pm | delete
- you are great! anthropos! I LOVE looking at your lenses! 5*
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shopberta
Nov 24, 2008 @ 7:05 pm | delete
- Great lens. I love the 3-D effect.
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by anthropos
Hello, My name is Lamar (better known as "anthropos" on Squidoo).
I am certified by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA)as a "Master Cruise...
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