Short time at Port...what to do?

We are stopping in Roatan in March off the NCL spirit. Our time at port has been cut drastically to 5 hours, total.

We were going to do the V Bodden tour, but now we don't think there is time?

Anybody have any good suggestions?

Has anybody done the zip lines, and if so, do we have time?

Any other ideas would be more than helpful...we're feeling a little lost.

Thanks!

I, personally, would definitely stick with Victor Bodden (or any independent tour operator). You will get to see the beauty of Roatan...the great jungles, beaches, views...not to mention experience the people and culture! By sitting on the ship, or just walking around the dock area you'll basically be throwing away your opportunity to visit Roatan.

It really is awesome! And a "taste", regardless of how short, will offer a lifetime of memories of a place like no other. One hour on Roatan would be worth the tour price of Victor or any other independent tour operator.

Again...just my opinion (and I'm trying to figure out a way to sneak down there for two weeks in April...any good excuses for getting out of work, anyone?)

Hi,

We were on the January 6th sailing of the Spirit and arrived in Roatan at 4:00 pm. Thankfully, we were booked with Victor Bodden and had a wonderful time. The men in our group did the zip lines and the ladies went shopping. We were very pleased with our guide, Wiliam and feel like the price was fair for the amount of time we had off of the ship.

Margaret

Thanks for the ideas...5 hours at port is enough for the bodden tour then?

5 hours is plenty. Here is a rough time frame for the tour we took last week:

9:00 In van on our way

9-10 Driving to other side of island for photo ops

10-10:30 Iguana farm

10:30-11 Drive to west end for zip lining with photo stops on way

11-12 Zip lining, (didn't need a reservation, just hopped on, takes 45-60 mins)

12-3 snorkeling and lounging at half moon bay

3pm back at port.

You have plenty of time if all you want to do is tour the island, see the iguanas, and zip line. Or simply skip the iguanas since they are on the far side of the island, stay on the west side of the island and zip line and have some beach time. Just so you know the iguanas & pirates zip line (the $65 zip line) is on the far side of the island, the good beaches and the south shore zip line ($45 zip line) are less than 20 mins from the port. Remember, with the Bodden tour, you are simply hiring a driver to take you where YOU want to go. They are more than happy to accomodate any itinerary.

The Jungle Canopy Zipline ($45pp) is also near the Iguana Farm (there are ziplines everywhere, it seems!) If you are considering a Bodden Tour, the best idea is to contact him with your interests. Just like "Gizmo22a" says, they build a private trip around what you want to do...

I didn't know the $45 and the $65 ziplines were on different sides of the island. I was hoping the $45 zipline was the closer one:o

Here's a map that shows the public zipline locations:

 

(http://www.roatanshoreexcursions.com/images/canopy_map.gif)

There is also a chart showing the comparisons between these ziplines and more information there, too: http://www.roatanshoreexcursions.com/roatan_canopy_tours.html

I've been to the Pirates Extreme Zipline and the Jungle Canopy at Palmetto Bay...neither requires hand-brakes or using gloves (to control the speed), so I enjoyed the zipping w/o having to worry about slowing myself down! Maybe I'll try the South Shore one in April...

Have a great trip!

Everyone has been SO very helpful...THANK YOU!

Please keep the ideas coming if you have any.

Thanks again!

We're so excited!:p

5 hours is plenty. Here is a rough time frame for the tour we took last week:

 

9:00 In van on our way

9-10 Driving to other side of island for photo ops

10-10:30 Iguana farm

10:30-11 Drive to west end for zip lining with photo stops on way

11-12 Zip lining, (didn't need a reservation, just hopped on, takes 45-60 mins)

12-3 snorkeling and lounging at half moon bay

3pm back at port.

 

You have plenty of time if all you want to do is tour the island, see the iguanas, and zip line. Or simply skip the iguanas since they are on the far side of the island, stay on the west side of the island and zip line and have some beach time. Just so you know the iguanas & pirates zip line (the $65 zip line) is on the far side of the island, the good beaches and the south shore zip line ($45 zip line) are less than 20 mins from the port. Remember, with the Bodden tour, you are simply hiring a driver to take you where YOU want to go. They are more than happy to accomodate any itinerary.

What zipline did you do?

I will be on the Spirit for the March 2nd cruise. With the Spirit getting in at 3pm - 4pm and sunset at around 6;00 PM what can be done during this period of time. Seems like there isn't much happening after sunset??

Dan

We were on the Spirit and arrived at 3:15 Pm. That was enough time to go horsebackriding at Barrio Dorcas Ranch. It was GREAT! Had a beautiful ride along the beach as the sun was getting low, really memorable. Our guide was very good, so I think a novice would be able to do this and he would look after you. It was really a special afternoon, I'm so glad we did this.

We did the Victor Bodden tour... you should have more than enough time. One suggestion. Try to visit the Roatan Children's Home. It was our last stop before we went back to the ship. Only about 1/2 mile from port. There were 15 children there and they so enjoy anyone stopping in to visit with them.. even 5-10 minutes.. Do try..

You can always do a zip-line tour at South Shore canopy in West Bay and still have time to get back to ship.

Is the South Shore Zipline in Gumbalimba Park?

Nevermind. Went to the website and saw that South Shore is in the same vicinity, but not the same as Gumbalimba.

We were in Roatan with the Spirit the week of 2/17. We chose the snorkeling excursion with NCL and enjoyed it. Beautiful late afternoon setting, no others snorkeling except us (our catamaran held about 30)

and lovely areas to view. Enjoyed "libations" on boat during short

trip to shore. Although snorkeling was nice, we wondered what the

rest of the island was like. Wish we had time for both.

We did the Victor Bodden tour... you should have more than enough time. One suggestion. Try to visit the Roatan Children's Home. It was our last stop before we went back to the ship. Only about 1/2 mile from port. There were 15 children there and they so enjoy anyone stopping in to visit with them.. even 5-10 minutes.. Do try..

This is such a great suggestion, thank you. * *** **** ****** **** *********. *** **** **** *******, ******** **** ** ********?

We had the same problem with a short stay last week. We ended up walking off the ship, hiring a cab for the day ($20 per person), and just driving around the island. The cab driver stayed with us for the entire time. He drove us out to see the ship wrecks, the Iguana farm, and dropped us off at a couple of public beaches to enjoy the view and the beachside bars. Required no planning and not much thought. But with only five hours, what are you going to do?

We are stopping in Roatan in March off the NCL spirit. Our time at port has been cut drastically to 5 hours, total.

We were going to do the V Bodden tour, but now we don't think there is time?

 

Anybody have any good suggestions?

Has anybody done the zip lines, and if so, do we have time?

 

Any other ideas would be more than helpful...we're feeling a little lost.

 

Thanks!

Ther is plenty of time - ask Victor to get you Tex Connor as a driver. He's great! We had 9-2 and got a great tour and back in plenty of time.