DivingCruiser

Hi, I've been posting on the Roatan board, but it doesn't get much action, and the reviews contradict each other. We're getting down to our last two weeks now, and trying to get some real answers Some say forget it, just stay on the boat there, others that it is the best port of the western Caribbean cruise on Crown.

 

There will be 3 ships in Roatan that day, with our ship being the only one at Mahogany bay.

My question is do you think with that many cruisers in port we should avoid Tabyana or West Bay beach? We had really hoped to go there, but I've been reading "too crowded" reviews lately. Some say stick with ship tours here, but other than Tabyana beach, there are none we are interested in.

 

Anyone done Fins and flippers, (now Maya Key)? We are looking for a good beach day, with maybe a little snorkeling (not all snorkeling).

 

We had planned to do an island highlights tour but wanted to spend most of our day at a nice beach, however maybe seeing more of the island is the way to go, I am totally confused at this point.

 

Any experienced Roatan cruisers care to give some advice???

 

Thank you!

Please don't spend the day on the boat, you will kick yourself in the tail for doing so! Roatan is a gem that I've fallen in love with. I've been to Roatan both for a week long vacation (and booked to go back this May) and on a cruise this past October on the Carnival Valor (which was still docking in Coxen Hole at the time). From what I heard, Mahogany Bay is completely owned by Carnival, so you'd get Carnival's take on what is best about Roatan. By getting out of the immediate area of the port to another place on the island, you'll get a better chance to see why this is a small slice of paradise.

Maybe consider doing a mix of tour/beach time. I'm a diver and dove with Bananarama on my cruise stop (West Bay Beach) but my parents booked the private island excursion with Rony and LOVED it! I know they'll build in beach time for private excursion as well. IMHO, the better snorkeling on the island is off of West Bay beach, yes it will have crowds but is the best for that option. The reef comes right into the shore and at the far end of the beach there is some fantastic snorkeling which I'll do during my surface intervals from diving. It is part of the marine park, so caution is needed when snorkeling, i.e. please don't be "that guy" who decides to stand on the coral in the shallow water:-) Couldn't believe it when I saw it, but a couple of marine park volunteers in kayaks were quick to correct the guy.

West Bay Beach is also the prettiest beach on the island, Half Moon Bay is another nice one. Sandy Bay is a little more rocky and there is some sea grass if that bothers you. West End isn't much of a beach, but has shops and restaurants. I don't know much about French Harbor, but they've recently opened some stuff out that way. If you do go out to West Bay, Celeste's (across the main road from the beach) has really good baledas (a local dish) at reasonable prices.

Please don't just stay on the ship, Roatan is a lovely place and keeping in mind that Honduras is a poor nation, could use the tourist dollars as well. A lot of places will accept US dollars in addition to the local currency, lempira.