What to do in Roatan???

[landrytlp]

Booked to arrive in early Oct on RCCL, yet we haven't finalized what were going to do while in port. My wife has been reading the boards and she's seen a few posts discussing Carnival warning their guests that it isn't safe to travel away from the port without a cruise rep.

 

Please let us know your experiences so she can be less apprehensive.

 

The main goal is to get to West Bay and enjoy some time on the beach and snorkel a bit.

[OCruisers]

Your wife might be less apprehensive if you simply book an excursion through the ship. :)

LuLu

[cdnmr]

Booked to arrive in early Oct on RCCL, yet we haven't finalized what were going to do while in port. My wife has been reading the boards and she's seen a few posts discussing Carnival warning their guests that it isn't safe to travel away from the port without a cruise rep.

 

Please let us know your experiences so she can be less apprehensive.

 

The main goal is to get to West Bay and enjoy some time on the beach and snorkel a bit.

 

 

We did an excursion through Carnival to Tabyana Beach and it is one of our all time favourite beach memories.

 

We heard stories as well (this is back in 2007) and that's why we were cautious and booked through cruise line. We did pass a truck with 2 or 3 guys with machine guns but no locals reacted to seeing them so we assumed they were just military and a normal thing to see.

 

We are going back to Honduras in February 2016 if that gives any idea of our level of concern.

 

Some very beautiful sights and beaches.

Enjoy!

[Capt_BJ]

dd (21) spent 6 weeks in Roatan last summer ... had absolutely no problems - using common sense ....

 

Mainland Honduras would be a different story and I might not have been comfortable having her go there, but Roatan is usually pretty isolated for the issues of the mainland

 

Things to do:

 

BOTANICAL GARDEN: Admission $5 PP |Tours $5 PP, Plus Transportation

Carambola Gardens showcases a wide variety of flowering plants, ferns, spices, and fruit trees, such as cashew and carambola. See famous Honduran mahogany and Roatan's most extensive orchid collections. There are also some excellent hiking trails.

•CAR RENTALS: $57 - $70 Per Day

Exploring Roatan is easier than ever. With only one road up the middle of the island, it's hard to get lost!

•DOLPHIN ENCOUNTERS: $103 PP For Snorkelers | $137 PP For Divers, Plus Transportation

The Roatan Institute of Marine Sciences offers a dolphin snorkel or dive. Price includes admission to the Roatan Museum, which displays artifacts, photos, murals, and a historical video presentation of the Bay Islands and Honduras. This excursion is only available on Mondays.

•Tim’s ECO TOURS: Price subject to number of guests.

If you enjoy exercise, wildlife, plants, history, and native cultures, this is your tour! This eco-tour will show you the Roatan few tourists see.

•DEEP SEA FISHING: $400 Half Day PP | $700 Full Day PP

Fish for Blue Marlin, White Marlin, and Wahoo. Snacks and beverages are provided.

•FLATS FISHING: Half Day $250 PP or $350 For 2 People | Full Day $450 PP or $600 For 2

Guided saltwater flats fishing with Mango Creek Lodge in Port Royal. Bonefishing, permit, and tarpon.

 

•GLASS BOTTOM BOAT: $20 PP, Plus Transportation to West End

Explore the wonders of the world's second largest coral reef on the semi submarine "Underwater Paradise." Sit 7 feet below the surface in air conditioned comfort!

•HORSEBACK RIDING ON THE BEACH: $40 PP, Plus Transportation

Keifito's Plantation on West End offers a 1 ½ hour horseback ride on our northwest coast. Climb hills with incredible panoramic views and finish your ride along the shore of famed West Bay Beach.

•IGUANA HIDEAWAY: $8 Donation PP, Plus Transportation

Visit Sherman Arch, a local islander who has created a habitat for hundreds of tame iguanas, championing their preservation and protection from the cooking pot. Although they are tame, Sherman says you shouldn’t wear yellow shoes, the iguanas might think they’re bananas!

•ISLAND TOURS: $35 Half Day PP

During this guided tour on a private bus you will visit scenic vistas, the Iguana Farm, the Botanical Garden, and Souvenir Shops and spend some time exploring the West End's shops and beach bars.

[texancruzer]

Have been 3 times….. once on a cruise stop and then twice again - both times for a week stay at Infinity Bay to dive.

 

While we have not headed out to the more remote areas on our own, we did do a tour with one of Victor Boddens guides and he took us all over the island. Awesome day. We also have golfed at the Black Pearl and shopped in a bunch of areas. Never felt unsafe.

 

We usually hang around West Bay or West End Village but have also headed to Gumbalimba park one day to play with the monkeys, birds etc….. also did a super dune buggy tour up into the mountains and more…...

 

Carnival owns the Mahogany Bay complex. They would LOVE to have you spend the day close to the ship at their complex and spend your money there so they can put it in their pockets….. LOL

 

Seriously, Roatan is a beautiful island with lots of wonderful friendly people. Are they poor ? Yes - very. Are there some people who would like to relieve you of some of your money etc… ? Of course, just like anywhere else. If you put yourself in a position to be a target (wear flashy jewelry, flash a lot of cash around etc) then you are asking to be relieved of some of those items…..just like in NY or Chicago or Baltimore or Rome or anywhere else there are tourists….. use common sense and enjoy your day on Roatan.

 

It is one of our favorite islands in the Caribbean :D

Edited August 10, 2014 by texancruzer

[wdowns9]

Hire a driver for the day - either Victor or Ronny and see the island. They will take you anywhere you want. You will be able to see and do many things like Capt_BJ mentioned. You will be safe as the incident that happened earlier this year has opened many eyes because it brought negative light to Roatan. The ship will also plant seeds so you use them which increases their bottom line.

[Bgem75]

Another option is to book with Victor Bodden.

We and many of our friends have used him before and we are booked with him again in September.

They have different options to choose from...

we loved their zip and dip and are doing it again.

 

http://boddentours.com/index.htm

[JimAOk1945]

We took a nice cruise line sponsored shore excursion on a bus that took us around the island. We saw a lot and the bus stopped every now and then for photo opportunities. Sorry I don't remember the name of the excursion.

 

Here is a link to a slide show my wife made with pictures she took for her website. You might enjoy seeing what the island has to offer. The ship docked at a small shopping mall. The excursion was short enough that we were able to do some shopping before getting back on the ship. We were on the Royal Caribbean Mariner of the Seas.

 

Roatan Shore Excursion

Edited August 12, 2014 by JimAOk1945

[#1TravelMom]

We've been to Roatan 8 times. It's one of our favorite ports. The water is soooo crystal clear. We also love to go play with the monkeys each time. South Shore Canopy zipline is Incredible - even if you don't think you'd like zipping or if you have an extreme fear of heights(me). We book with Rony Every time - he is fabulous. He is well known on the island and respected. We've never felt the least bit leary or afraid in any way. He will make sure you have a spectacular day! Ronystours.com is his website.

 

It's so nice to have a private driver for the day. Go at your own pace and stop anytime you see anything interesting. Rony will also make suggestions along the way if you'd like. I highly recommend him!

[LBumb]

thanks

[shout19661966]

If you don't mind spending a little extra. Little French Key. Google it and it can only be booked online or email. Pay in full when you get there. No deposit.

[ortech]

Thank you for the ideas been this island but we just did a beach day taking teen son need to plan fun ... Looking to book with victor bodden looks like fun tours