11 Best Things to Do in Mahogany Bay Isla Roatan

Mahogany Bay is one of the top-rated Caribbean cruise destinations. This Isla Roatan’s largest cruise port is a privately owned by Carnival. It is a real hidden gem of the Western Caribbean. It’s worth to check out.

Roatan is known as a premier travel destination in the Western Caribbean. The island is literary sitting on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the world’s second largest barrier reef. This is the reason why Isla Roatan has been worldly famous among scuba divers. The island is also an important eco-tourism destination in Honduras. Rich vegetations and mangroves beautiful cover this magical island.

Do you know Mahogany Bay has gained much popularity among the cruisers these days?

Barrier Reef and clear turquoise watercolours make Mahogany Bay so unique and exclusive. Over one million cruisers are visiting Mahogany Bay annually.

In this article, you will find the information on Roatan’s top activities and visiting places. These places are all accessible from Mahogany Bay. We will break down the information on Mahogany Bay for planning your next cruise. Get information and make your Caribbean dream cruise come true. Discover Mahogany Bay, Isla Roatan!

Mahogany Bay, Isla Roatan

Mahogany Bay is one of the top cruise destinations in the Western Caribbean. In 2011, Carnival Corporation built Mahogany Bay at the cost of 62 million US dollars (source). This huge 20-acre property facilitates excellent restaurants, bars and shops. The port has a capacity to receive over 8,000 cruise passengers. Various activities are available including kayaking, snorkelling and volleyball.

Mahogany Bay Cruise Port

Mahogany Bay terminal is located on the south coast of Dixon Bay and in the east of Roatan Airport. The area of the port is known as a beautiful region, Dixon Cove. The terminal is a two-berth station capable of receiving two large vessels (post-Panamax) at the same time. It’s a large and modern port.

Find out further details of port facilities on the map from Mahogany Bay Cruise Centre.

Where is Mahogany Bay?

Mahogany Bay is located in the Southshore of Roatan. Not Mexico but Honduras where Mahogany bay is located. Roatan is the largest island among the Bay Islands of Honduras. It is located about 65 km (40ml) off the northern coast of the mainland.

The Mahogany Bay port is close to Coxen Hole, the capital of the Bay Island. Coxen Hole is a vibrant and lively town. French Harbour is also a lively Roatan’s fishing trade village. Roatan’s exclusive hotels are all lined up in this area. It’s also Roatan’s only iguana conservatory as I will introduce to you a little later. French Harbour is accessible by taxi from Mahogany Bay.

Cruises to Mahogany Bay, Belize and Cozumel

Roatan is one of the popular ports of call in the Western Caribbean. It is the tropical island of Caribbean dreams. You may visit Roatan for your next cruise vacation.

• Amber Cove, the Dominican Republic
• Grand Turk and Caicos
• San Juan
• St. Thomas.

The major cruise departure ports for the Caribbean are:

• Miami
• Galveston
• Port Canaveral
• Tampa
• Fort Lauderdale

Mahogany Bay Isla Roatan port is privately owned by Carnival. Cruise lines visiting the Mahogany Bay Cruise Ship Port are:

• Carnival Cruise Line
• Princess Cruises
• Holland America Cruise Line
• Costa Cruise Line
• P&O Cruise Line

If you are visiting Roatan with Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean, your fleet will arrive at Coxen Hole cruise terminal.

Roatan Island

Isla Roatan is one of the major cruise ports in the Western Caribbean. The land has a length of 60 km (37ml) and width 8km (4 ml). Roatan is located between the islands of Utila and Guanaja. It’s geographically slim and is the largest among the Bay Islands of Honduras.

In 1502, Christopher Columbus discovered Roatan. Later Spanish and English entered this magnificent island. Roatan is also well known as housing over 5,000 buccaneers (pirates). You will find the historical backgrounds of Roatan in the local languages, food and landscapes.

Roatan Map

Roatan Weather

Roatan’s tropical rainforest climate is ideal for any activities and adventures. It’s the largest Bay Islands and has a little chance for a hurricane. The average temperature in Roatan year-round is about 80º F (28º). The humidity rate is above the average and is about 72%.

Since it’s tropical climate, Roatan doesn’t have a dry season. Offshore trade-wins, rain with a thunderstorm and high temperature are a part of the tropical weather. But no worries. After some rain, soon later, the sunshine reappears. It’s Caribbean!

What is the best time to visit Roatan?

The best time to visit Mahogany Bay, Roatan can be March and April. Roatan has a fairly stable and moderately pleasant weather throughout the year. If you are selective, from March to May is the best for warm temperatures and low risk of rain. February is known for consecutive rainy days.

Knowing the weather in Mahogany Bay is very important for you. You can avoid the risk of rainy days on a cruise vacation.

Western Caribbean cruises are popular from December through April. This is because the Caribbean weather is the best during those months. Mahogany Bay weather is no different and is the same as Roatan weather. In the weather in Mahogany Bay in January, the risk of rain is slim.

• The rainy months are October, November and December. (source from Roatan Tourism Bureau).
• Compared to February, the rain of the months comes rather as scattered showers.
• May is the hottest month in Roatan.

Things to Do in Mahogany Bay

1. Relax at Mahogany Bay Beach

Mahogany Bay has an excellent beach within a walking distance. You can find the beach just over the bridge from the cruise terminal. The sand is fine and powdery. Warm, clean and tranquil waters make your mind relax.

The views of the beach are excellent. The beach also has a restaurant and a bar. Enjoy the pleasant landscapes from the open-air restaurant. Water sports facilities and gears are also available.

2. Take a Magical Flying Chair

Before you step onto Mahogany Beach, there is something you can do.

Head to the beach by a flying chair from the Mahogany Bay welcome centre. It takes about 5-minute ride.

What makes Mahogany Bay unique is this magical chair.

You will arrive on a beach by a flying chair. That’s so cool. You will not forget about this.

On the beach, water sports are available including kayaks, volleyball courts and other activities.

The cost of riding the Mahogany Bay Chair Lift is approximate $8 for Children and $14 for adults. Children under the age of 3 rides free of charge. (flying chair price)

3. Explore the Beach in West End

Mahogany Beach is a man-made artificial beach. That’s why there is no reef for snorkelling. If you are looking for something further, Half Moon Bay and Marbella Beach are the places to go. They are popular beaches in Roatan. They are perfect place for swimming, snorkeling and glass-bottom boat.

West End is a popular place for travelers in Roatan. The village offers waterfront restaurants, bars, souvenir shops and scuba diving shops. Half Moon Bay is and other activities.

Half Moon Bay beach has the palm line. Feels of the atmosphere is perfect for a resort. There is also the active local band music and dances. Explore West End and visit the beaches. This is the best things to do in Roatan, Honduras.

4. Go to West Bay Beach

If you are looking for worldly famous beaches, one of them actually exists in Roatan.

West Bay Beach is the longest beach on the island. The beach offers the powdery white sand with crystal clear turquoise waters. It’s a real heaven existing in the world. The exceptional snorkelling experience can be expected! For resorts, fancy restaurants, bars and many resort hotels are available.

The beach is worldly renowned, but the area does not feel overcrowded. Visiting West Bay Beach is one of the top things to do in Roatan.

5. Swim with Dolphins

Meeting with dolphins is one of the popular activities in the Caribbean cruises. Many of you may have already experienced the encounter of dolphins.

What makes different in Roatan is the unique place where you can meet dolphins. You swim with dolphins, not in the segregated areas but in their living environment. Find this out at Anthony’s Key and the Roatán Institute for Marine Sciences.

Anthony’s Key Resort offers a guided dolphin encounter. The snorkelling experience is also included with this meeting of dolphins.

6. Scuba Diving

Roatan is surrounded by the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. The reef is the largest in Roatan and is the second-largest in the world after Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Scuba diving is one of the most popular activities in Roatan.

The great things about scuba diving in Roatan is that diving spots are accessible within 10 minutes while in Great Barrier Reef takes more than an hour by boat. You can save much energy and can even add more activities after scuba diving.

• Roatan’s waters are colourful and vibrant with full of spires and lettuce corals. The seascape varies with canyons, fissures and tunnels along the reef walls. The visibility of water is insanely clear.

• Wreck diving is popular in Roatan. The wrecks are intentionally sunken into the sea to colourful tropical fish and sea animals.

• Scuba divers gather in Half Moon Bay in West End. Their boats are often coming and going all day. After scuba diving, you can relax in bars and restaurants while you stay nearby the ocean.

7. Little French Key

Little French Key is a private island. It is located in French Harbor and needs a short two-minute boat ride. You need to join a tour.

This island resort is one of the most popular tours in Roatan. You can enjoy horseback riding and zip-lining. Watersport activities are rich including snorkelling, jet-skiing, paddle-boarding and kayaking. Visiting Little Frech Key can be a good start for the first-time visitors.

8. Visit Gumbalimba Park for Zipline

Take a great adventure combined with the hilarious zip-line experience at Gumbalimba Park. You will experience spectacular views of the island and the reef below. The colours and rich nature are immeasurable. Enjoy Roatan’s rich eco-systems from the air into a jungle. Zipline goes fast but the instructors make you feel safe and comfortable.

Gumbalimba Park is located in West Bay and offers botanical gardens, beaches, water activities, shopping and a cafe. You will find an animal presence. Have some experience with the monkeys and wildlife at Gumbalimba Park. And observe beautiful birds, insects and monkeys.

9. Find Out The Wrecks

The abundant wrecks are intentionally sunken partially for scuba diving. They are creating a part of Roatan’s unique landscapes. This invokes the histories of this magical island involved in the stories of the 17th century pirates.

10. Visit Arch’s Iguana Farm & Marine Park

French Harbour is Roatan’s leading resort area. Imagine 3,500 iguanas are resting and waiting for your visit in this iguana conservation area. Mr. Sherman Arch established the sanctuary in 1980. His team has been working on protecting the wildlife and marine ecosystem of Roatan. Roatan’s visitors are free to interact with iguanas and feed them.

It takes a half hour by taxi from the cruise port. Entrance fee is about $12 and cash only. Combine with Daniel Johnson’s Monkey and Sloth Adventure. It’s just 2 minutes away.

11. Mahogany Bay Shopping

The shopping scene of Mahogany Bay is modest compared to other Caribbean cruise ports. You can still find international brands, jewelry and luxury ornaments. The port has local arts, crafts and souvenir shops.

Top 10 cool souvenirs in Roatan

• Honduran coffee
• Clay items of made by ethnic tribes of Honduras
• Locally made honey
• Locally made rum
• Shell Jewelry
• Honduras cigars
• Wooden bowls
• Rum cakes
• Local arts
• Caribbean reef life photography books

Mahogany Bay Cruise Tips

Is Mahogany Bay Honduras safe?

Mahogany Bay is a private port and is a segregated resort area in Roatan. It is safer than other areas of Honduras. The vast majority of cruise line passengers have no problem. However, it is also true that incidents of robbery and theft have been reported. It is always good to monitor your bags and follow the guides who knows the safe areas.

Is Roatan dangerous?

Ratan is reasonably safe. The island is felt safer and lower criminal more than mainland Honduras. The main industry of the island is tourism. The local government is working to improve tourism security. You have nothing, but it is very important to follow general tourist tips.

• Not going to the beach alone at night.
• Going to Coxen Hole should be avoided after dark.
• Keep an eye on your valuables. Need to watch out theft in Roatan.
• Do not carry much cash with yourself.
• Make sure the price of taxi and US dollars are accepted.
• Book a shore excursion or a tour through a reliable source.

What language is spoken in Mahogany bay?

Roatan islanders speak both English and Spanish. They welcome visitors. My impression is that Roatan is not really Honduras but rather Caribbean. You will find a unique cultural mixture of English, Spanish and Garifuna. Over the centuries, pirates, traders and slaves inhabited. There were also British and Spanish settlers. The Bay Islands’ residents have a unique culture and lifestyles.

What currency is used in Mahogany Bay?

ATM’s is located within Mahogany Bay, near the Tourist Information Booth. There are also ATM machines at the Mahogany Bay Cruise Center. You can get local currency (Honduran Lempiras) and the US Dollars. The U.S. Dollar is widely accepted in Roatan.

Can I use my credit card in Honduras?

Credit cards are accepted within Honduras. You will not have any problem paying with your Visa or Mastercard.

Mahogany Bay Port Schedule

It’s very important to be informed the time you need to get back to the ship. If you go out by yourself without a cruise line’s shore excursion, your ship leave if you were late. I confess that occasionally, and only occasionally, I forgot and thought what time it was. Then I ask the passengers or crews if I find them. Check out Mahogany Bay terminal schedule. (source)

Getting Around

Taxies and excursion buses are available from Mahogany Bay area. Rental car service is also available. The taxi rates are reasonable.

• It takes about 20 minute and costs about $20 to get to Coxen Hole. It is the largest town of Roatan and is a popular place for dining, shopping and exploring the town.

For your safety:

• Make sure that the US dollar is available and check out the rates before you get on a taxi.

Is Water Safe in Roatan?

Roatan and Honduras seems to lack full infrastructure. Maintaining water quality does not seem to be enough for sure. It is strongly encouraged not to drink tap water. I even did not take ice of drinks. Bottles of water is the best to keep your health in Roatan.

Coxen Hole Cruise Terminal

The first Roatan cruise port is Coxen Hole cruise terminal. While Mahogany Bay port serves the Carnival group, Coxen Hole does NCL Norwegian Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean Cruise Line. The port is named after Captain John Coxen, a renowned late 17th-century buccaneer (British pirate). Coxen Hole is the largest city of Roatan.

Happy Cruising!

You may be interested in reading more on the Caribbean cruises:

>> Best Things to Do in Amber Cove, the Dominican Republic

>> 68 Top Things to Do Cozumel Beaches

>> More on the Caribbean Cruises

Best Things to Do in Mahogany Bay Roatan