The Caribbean Island of Roatan, Honduras


Roatan is the largest of the Honduran Bay Islands in the Caribbean and is becoming a popular cruise itinerary destination. Like many Caribbean destinations it is recognized for its beautiful beaches, water sports, including premier scuba and skin diving, and modern resorts. To accommodate the cruise ships the Honduras government helped develop Mahogany Bay with docks, duty free village and a beautiful beach area.
Where You Dock

Most Cruise ships now dock at the Mahogany Bay facility on the southwest coast. The beautifully laid out area includes piers, a duty free shopping area and a beach area. In addition there is also the Port of Roatan located a bit farther west past Barrio Loma Linda and some cruise ships may still dock there. It is about five miles between the two port facilities.
Transportation
The best way to get around Roatan is by hired taxi or a rental car. Taxi’s are inexpensive and you can usually negotiate an island tour at a fair price.
Money
The local currency is the Honduras Lempira with one being worth about US 5¢. US Dollars are usually welcome and most major credit cards accepted.
Attractions
There are several zip line facilities on the island and a dolphin encounter at Anthony’s Key Resort that’s very popular. But outdoor recreation is the real focus on this Caribbean island with its sandy beaches and clear, warm water being the central attraction featuring great snorkeling and diving trips being available.
If your ship docks at Mahogany Bay you can spend the day right at the ports beautiful beach that’s equipped with water sports equipment, beach loungers and umbrellas and a number of shore excursions leave right from the cruise port village.
A little over a mile from the Mahogany Bay is the town of Barrio Loma Linda. It is not a resort area but a typical Honduran town with stores and restaurants along with a couple of crafts facilities famous for working in leather and wood.