Tabyana Beach Break through Carnival

Last time we we cruised to Roatan on Splendor there was an excursion through the ship called Tabyana beach break for $35 pp. they transport you from the ship to the beach and back but we hired Victor Bodden to tour the island, monkey business and then the second half of the day at Bananarama beach resort. We are booked on Glory next April and and just want to go straight to the beach, this time Tabyana beach break, right from the ship but shore excursions in my booking manager doesn't show it as an option for an excursion this go around. I havent seen much recent talk about it on this section either. Does Carnival not own or have partnership with Tabyana beach break anymore? Did they give it up when Mahogany Bay beach get off the ground and running? I dont want to go to Mahogany bay beach. I much rather go to West bay beach because of the much better snorkeling and sand at west bay is like powdered sugar. I've heard Mahogany bay sand is a lot more course. Just wondering what happened to Tabyana Beach break and also options for transporting 6 people cheap to and from if we go to Tabyana or Bananarama Beach Resort or one of the other nearby beach areas. Victor Bodden? how much? taxi? I know Tabyana is only a couple three properties south of Bananarama and doesn't matter to me where we go as long as were close to the snorkeling area thats right off the beach in that area. If I go to Tabyana Beach Break I know I can walk up and down the beach and pretty much pick any resort and eat at their restaurant without having to pay their day pass price if I dont want to eat the plain burgers and hotdogs at Tabyana. Just looking for options to get to Tabyana if Carnival doesnt offer the excursion anymore.

Bananarama offer days passes with transport included.

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It's listed as an option on our July Breeze cruise

Hi Brad, 

Out of curiosity did you do the Tabayana Beach Break? Was it as you expected?  I will be sailing in about 3 weeks and have booked this excursion, but have been seeing mixed reviews. Please advise. 

Thanks

This thread's pretty old but I can chime in. Wife and I did this excursion in January 2018. You're basically paying for transportation to and from the beach (about 45 min. each way) and guaranteed seating in a relatively secure location. It was pretty much what I expected, but I wasn't expecting much.We opted for this excursion because I really wanted to snorkel at West Bay and this seemed the safest and most economical option. It's through Carnival so you're guaranteed not to miss the ship.

The ride is long because the roads are full of potholes, and the drivers do their best to avoid them. But if you're prone to motion sickness, best be prepared for the ride; it's stop-and-go, swerving left and right much of the way.

There's a place to buy a simple lunch (I believe chicken and burgers were on the menu when we were there), and a couple of different souvenir shops. Between these and the beach is a restroom/changing area, and outdoor showers to rinse off. By the beach are row after row of plastic lounge chairs. We were met by a guy with a Tabyana shirt who helped us pick seats and promised our stuff would be safe while we were there. There's only a small bit of open sand between the chairs and the water, which is public and prowled by vendors hawking their wares, but they're restricted from setting foot past the edge of the seating area so they weren't much of a problem.

Honestly, though, I didn't take advantage of most of the amenities at Tabyana because I spent as much time as I could in the water. This stop was the highlight of our entire trip because of the snorkeling. I haven't been anywhere else yet that had snorkeling that could come close to what we experienced in West Bay, with only a short walk and swim out to the reef. My wife isn't a very strong swimmer or snorkeler so she was hesitant to do it much, but there were a number of young guys hanging around when we got there that were offering their services as guides to the reef. The service was free, and he offered to tow my wife out on a small paddle board attached to a string so she could just float and enjoy the view. He also came prepared with a little bread to feed the fish so they would swarm around us. It was awesome. After, when I said I was going right back out on my own, he told me the best route to look for to protect the reef and stay safe. We were more than happy to tip him well for all he did for us.

In short, I'd say that if you're looking for a guaranteed ride to a great snorkeling opportunity, Tabyana isn't a bad way to go. I've only been to Roatan once so far but I'm considering this option again for our next cruise there in September 2019.

22 minutes ago, Bahbert said:

This thread's pretty old but I can chime in. Wife and I did this excursion in January 2018. You're basically paying for transportation to and from the beach (about 45 min. each way) and guaranteed seating in a relatively secure location. It was pretty much what I expected, but I wasn't expecting much.We opted for this excursion because I really wanted to snorkel at West Bay and this seemed the safest and most economical option. It's through Carnival so you're guaranteed not to miss the ship.

The ride is long because the roads are full of potholes, and the drivers do their best to avoid them. But if you're prone to motion sickness, best be prepared for the ride; it's stop-and-go, swerving left and right much of the way.

 

There's a place to buy a simple lunch (I believe chicken and burgers were on the menu when we were there), and a couple of different souvenir shops. Between these and the beach is a restroom/changing area, and outdoor showers to rinse off. By the beach are row after row of plastic lounge chairs. We were met by a guy with a Tabyana shirt who helped us pick seats and promised our stuff would be safe while we were there. There's only a small bit of open sand between the chairs and the water, which is public and prowled by vendors hawking their wares, but they're restricted from setting foot past the edge of the seating area so they weren't much of a problem.

 

Honestly, though, I didn't take advantage of most of the amenities at Tabyana because I spent as much time as I could in the water. This stop was the highlight of our entire trip because of the snorkeling. I haven't been anywhere else yet that had snorkeling that could come close to what we experienced in West Bay, with only a short walk and swim out to the reef. My wife isn't a very strong swimmer or snorkeler so she was hesitant to do it much, but there were a number of young guys hanging around when we got there that were offering their services as guides to the reef. The service was free, and he offered to tow my wife out on a small paddle board attached to a string so she could just float and enjoy the view. He also came prepared with a little bread to feed the fish so they would swarm around us. It was awesome. After, when I said I was going right back out on my own, he told me the best route to look for to protect the reef and stay safe. We were more than happy to tip him well for all he did for us.

 

In short, I'd say that if you're looking for a guaranteed ride to a great snorkeling opportunity, Tabyana isn't a bad way to go. I've only been to Roatan once so far but I'm considering this option again for our next cruise there in September 2019.

Thank you very much! This is exactly what I needed to hear. I’m looking forward to it. 

I agree 100% w above.. Had a great time there last year.. going again in Feb.  bring a small box of fruit loops to break open when snorkeling.. watch what happens almost instantly..lol 

84 days!..sooo there 

5 hours ago, CLS/KAS said:

I agree 100% w above.. Had a great time there last year.. going again in Feb.  bring a small box of fruit loops to break open when snorkeling.. watch what happens almost instantly..lol 

84 days!..sooo there 

Please DO NOT feed the fish. I mean really what is fruit loops made of, not anything the fish would normally eat. 

Tabayana is our go to beach on western itineraries. Check with your ship. Many excursions include lunch. As was mentioned, don't feed the fish, it is not your aquarium.

On 11/23/2018 at 12:03 PM, CLS/KAS said:

I agree 100% w above.. Had a great time there last year.. going again in Feb.  bring a small box of fruit loops to break open when snorkeling.. watch what happens almost instantly..lol 

84 days!..sooo there 

This is very poor advice. You should never feed any type of wildlife, and this includes fish. Nature provides all that they need. You are in their aquarium, not in yours.

Anything notgrown in the sea will kill the fish. Fruit loops? Very selfish. Ya, you will get fish surrounding your, but to what end? Don’t do it.