Best Way to Spend the Day in Roatan on a Carnival Cruise
ROATAN | HONDURAS
Roatan is a small island that lies off the coast of its mainland country of Honduras. It is the largest island in the Bay of Honduras and a popular vacation destination. It is also a popular port of call for Carnival and other cruise lines sailing to the western Caribbean. The island is surrounded by the second largest coral reefs in the world which makes it ideal for scuba diving and snorkeling. Mahogany Bay is the name of the development in which the cruise ships dock and most excursion depart from. In this post, I will give you some ideas about how to spend your day on Roatan, whether you are looking to spend the day just lounging on the beach, exploring more of the island or some of the underwater world.
BEACH DAY | ROATAN
Cruisers are made up of all types of people and some just like to soak up the sun in a different tropical port of call each day while on a cruise. If that is you then you are in luck because Mahogany Bay has its own beach, aptly named, Mahogany Beach. You can access the beach via a small bridge or if you want to opt for the scenic route, via a chair lift. The lift will give you an aerial view of the island and the crystal-clear waters that surround it. If you book your ticket on the ship, in advance, it will save you a bit of money. Mahogany Beach is a man-made beach but offers plenty of sun and fun for you to enjoy. Don't forget to take a walk through the shops of Mahogany Bay before heading back to the ship to get your souvenir magnet.
HOP ON HOP OFF | ROATAN
For those looking to get out of the Carnival-owned Mahogany Bay and explore more of the island, the hop on hop off bus is a great way to see a bit of the more developed western half of the island. It makes it way through Coxen Hole, the most populated city on the island, before continuing on to West End and West Bay Beach. The guide gives you a bit of history of the island and teaches you about the culture. It is a great way to mix exploring and beach time. You can read more about my review of the hop on hop off bus here.
SCUBA DIVING | ROATAN
If you are scuba certified, there are great scuba diving opportunities in Roatan. As I mentioned, the island is surrounded by coral reef and the waters are warm which makes it a perfect diving destination. Book your two-tank dive excursion through Carnival and explore the underwater world of the western Caribbean.
You can follow along with our 7-Day Western Caribbean cruise on board the Carnival Legend that also stopped in Grand Cayman, Belize and Cozumel or read the review of the entire cruise.
