Roatan Bay Islands Cruise Destination Port

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Roatan, Bay Islands

The islands of the Caribbean are located in a region southeast of the Gulf of Mexico and Northern America, east of Central America, and to the north of South America.

The island is located near the largest barrier reef in the Caribbean Sea and the second largest worldwide after Australia's Great Barrier Reef. It has become an important cruise ship and scuba diving destination in Honduras. Roatan has a population of about 30,000 inhabitants.

For many years the island was a hidden gem, with some of the most beautiful white beaches and the best snorkel and diving spots in the Caribbean, but it was 'discovered' around 2005 by cruise ships and hotel developers.

Rotan is the biggest and most populated of three islands located off the coast of Honduras. The island is only 33 miles long and 4 miles wide and located about 50 miles from the northern coast of the Honduran mainland. 

Coxen Hole is the Capital of Roatan.

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History

The restored Mayan ruins near the Guatemalan border in Copan reflect the great Mayan culture that flourished there for hundreds of years until the early 9th century. Columbus landed at mainland Honduras (Trujillo) in 1502, and named the area "Honduras" (meaning "depths") for the deep water off the coast.

Honduras is a democracy with a developing economy.  Facilities that would normally be used by tourists, including hotels and restaurants, are generally adequate in the Bay Islands, and near the Copan ruins. Large sections of the country, however, lack basic public services or even a governmental presence.  

Honduras is one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere with an extraordinarily unequal distribution of income and massive unemployment.  Growth remains dependent on the status of the US economy, its major trading partner, on commodity prices, particularly coffee, and on reduction of the high crime rate.

The country was devastated by Hurricane Mitch in 1998, which killed about 5,600 people and caused approximately $2 billion in damage. Mitch left hundreds of thousands homeless, devastated the road network and other public infrastructure, and crippled certain key sectors of the economy.

Good to Know

Port of Entry

Mahogany Bay Cruise Center

The Mahogany Bay Cruise Center was - two-berth cruise terminal is capable of accommodating up to two post-Panamax ships simultaneously with over 8,000 passengers.  The facility is located in a stunningly beautiful region locally known as Dixon Cove, on the southwest coast of the island of Roatan.

Time Zone

CST (EST-1, UTC/GMT -6 hours)

Map Coordinates

16°23′N 86°24′W

Average Temperatures

Water: 80º Summer - 70º Winter

Air: 83º Summer - 78º Winter

Personal Safety

Roatan and the Bay Islands experience lower crime rates than the Honduras mainland.  The national government of Honduras, Roatan authorities, and businesses took measures in 2014 to improve tourism security.  As on the mainland, thefts, break-ins, assaults, rapes, and murders do occur, and rates are still high by international standards.  You should exercise caution, especially at night.  If staying at a hotel resort, book tours and sightseeing through the resort or reputable tour companies. Coxen Hole on the island of Roatan should be avoided after dark. 

If you are traveling on a cruise ship, you should take safety precautions, avoid unfamiliar areas, and take care to book only with reputable tour companies during your stopover in Honduras.  Cruise lines and port agencies work with approved tour companies to offer packages.  The port agencies at Mahogany Bay and Towne Center have worked to improve taxi service to and from the ports.  The vast majority of cruise line passengers in Honduras experience no problems, but incidents of armed robbery and carjacking have been reported.

The Honduran law enforcement authorities' ability to prevent, respond to, and investigate criminal incidents and prosecute criminals remains limited. Honduran police generally do not speak English. The government has established a special tourist police in the resort town of Tela and other popular tourist destinations, including Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, La Ceiba, and Roatan, but the number deployed is small and coverage is limited. 

Precautions While in Honduras

Be vigilant of your surroundings at all times and in all locations, especially when entering or exiting your home/hotel, car, garage, school, and workplace.  Whenever possible, travel in groups of two or more.  Avoid wearing jewelry, carrying large sums of money, or displaying cash, ATM/credit cards, or other valuables.  Avoid walking at night in most areas of Honduras or walking alone on beaches, in historic ruins, and on trails.  Several U.S. citizens have reported being robbed while walking on isolated beaches.  Motorists should avoid traveling between cities at night and always drive with the doors locked and windows up to deter potential robberies at traffic lights and on congested downtown streets.  Arriving U.S. citizens are strongly urged to exercise caution in discussing travel plans in public since criminals may conduct crimes based on tips from sources at airport arrival areas. 

Things to do and see

Mahogany Bay offers abundant amenities just steps from the pier including shopping, restaurants and bars, full-service beach, nature trail, watersports, dolphin encounter and zipline.

Shopping

Brand names like Harley Davidson and Del Sol along with a straw market, small booths with local crafts.

Zipline Express

The Zipline Express canopy ride is located at the Mahogany Bay cruise center and within a 150-acre nature reserve. Eleven cables totaling more than a mile offer a look at the island's wildlife and vegetation. Platforms are between 16 - 65 ft. above ground. Closed toe shoes and shorts and shorts or pants, and medical waiver required. The excursion is about an hour long.

Dolphin Action Swim

This one-hour experience includes 30 minute instruction and 30 minutes with the dolphins. This excursion is located at Mahogany Bay. Find this excursion in your cruise line excursion guide.

Mahogany Beach

Long stretch of of white sand beach minutes from the pier. Beach loungers and mats are complimentary. You can rent beach chairs with a cabana cover, snorkeling equipment, kayaks and private luxury cabanas. Check your cruise line excursion guide for various options.

Magical Flying Chairs

The lift provides transportation from the edge of Mahogany Bay Cruise Center to Mahogany Beach - a five minute ride. All-day pass is $12.00. For safety reasons, passengers must be at least 32" in height to ride the lift.  

Excursions outside Mahogany Bay

Gumbalimba Park

Gumbalimba Park is located in West Bay and offers an animal preserve, botanical gardens, beach, water activities, shopping, beachside cafe and more.  and leisure of the beach and ocean, but also diverse attractions in over 20 lovely acres. 

http://www.gumbalimbapark.com

West Bay Canopy Tour

Ride a zip Line and glide through the jungle.

Coxen's Cave

Take the history tour.

Botanical Garden

Water sports including snorkeling, SNUBA and kayaking.

Beaches

Pigeon Cay

45-minute boat ride from Roatan. This beach offers calm waters, shade trees and some wildlife.  Great get-a-way spot.

Tabyana Beach (West Bay Beach)

Powdery sand beach. Popular excursion with the snorkelers. Beach is crowded when ships are in port.

Half Moon Bay

Food and beverage services.

Snorkel/Dive

The island is surrounded by nearly 70 miles of living reef and offers excellent snorkel and dive. opportunities.

Local resorts that offer day trips

Anthony's Key Resort
Mayan Princess Beach Resort

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