Top 10 Best Roatan, Honduras Beaches You Need To Experience
Are you looking for the best Roatan, Honduras beaches? You’re in the right place.
We’ve fallen in love with the beauty of Roatan Island, and we’re here to share all our top tips with you.
Roatan, north of Cayos Cochinos and Sambo Creek, is a tourist-friendly island in the Pacific Ocean.
Here, you’ll find secluded coves, busy tourist beaches, and private islands like Water Cay. You can go snorkeling, scuba diving, and even horseback riding.
The area has something for everyone, and it’s ideal for your next tropical vacation. Let’s dive in so you can plan your trip to Roatan today!
10 Best Roatan, Honduras Beaches
After spending the holiday season in Honduras, the only thing I wish we could have done more of was time spent on the beaches.
Read on to discover the best beaches in Roatan, Honduras you need to see.
West Bay Beach
West Bay Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Roatan, Honduras.
The crystal clear water offers perfect conditions for swimming, while the beach is in a secluded and protected bay.
It has an ideal location in the west end of Roatan, near many resorts, restaurants, beach bars, and shops. The beach is an easy walking distance from the village of West Bay and is a short drive from West End and Flowers Bay.
West Bay Beach is popular with tourists, but you can still find a quiet spot. It’s usually not too busy, especially during the shoulder months of spring and fall.
Head to West Bay Beach for water activities, from snorkeling to scuba diving. You can also go parasailing or book a boat tour.
Besides these thrilling experiences, you won’t run out of things to do, thanks to nearby stands and shops.
La Palapa Beach Bar is a lovely spot for a drink and you can also grab a plate of fresh seafood at the Iron Shore restaurant.
Marbella Beach
The private Marbella Beach attracts little tourism.
However, its calm waters make for a lovely afternoon getaway if you want to escape the cities and busy tourist beaches. You’ll have the chance to swim, snorkel, and hike in relative quiet.
Keep in mind you’ll need to pay a small fee to access this beach. There aren’t a lot of amenities, but you can grab a cold drink at the beach bar.
If you get peckish, it’s worthwhile making the six-minute drive down to The Cove Palmetto Bay for a sit-down dinner.
Marbella Beach has soft white sand, rocky sections, and a forested area. The water is clear, and there is plenty of marine life to see if you go snorkeling.
Marine life is abundant here, with vibrant coral reefs and a wide range of tropical fish.
Tabyana Beach
Tabyana Beach is in Roatan’s West Bay near many resorts and restaurants.
This stunning palm beach is a magnet for tourists, so avoid the peak summer season if you want a quieter beach.
The beach is sandy and shaded by rows of palm trees. Tabyana is home to one of the largest coral reefs, making this a must-visit if you want to try out snorkeling or scuba diving.
As one of the best beaches in Roatan, it’s little surprise that Tabyana features a gorgeous resort offering majestic views and eateries.
Since the area is walkable, you can also visit West Bay Mall or stock up on water sports gear at the dive shops in town.
Maya Key
Maya Key is a small island that has built a solid reputation for its beautiful beach and outstanding snorkeling.
Besides its natural beauty, Maya Key has a charming pier and temple ruins.
The island has a swimming pool, animal rescue center, art exhibit center, and two beaches.
Its water is bright blue and great for swimming or scuba diving. Or, you can relax with a book in the shaded areas.
You can take a boat via the Roatan cruise pier or the Mahogany Bay pier.
But Maya Key also draws in plenty of cruise ships, including Carnival Cruise Lines. Consider booking a day excursion on your Roatan cruise.
Mahogany Bay Beach
Mahogany Bay Beach is a popular cruise port in the Las Palmas area in the southern part of the island of Roatan.
It’s one of the best Roatan, Honduras beaches with bars, restaurants, white sand beaches, and water sports like paddle boarding.
The beach is on the western end of the island, not far from Dixon Cove. It’s just a 10-minute walk from the cruise port, and you can take a ski lift to the beach if you want to avoid walking.
The ski lift takes you on a scenic tour of the beach’s gardens, sandy shores, and tropical forests.
Mahogany Bay Beach is a private beach only available to Carnival Cruise line passengers. Schedule a stop-off and experience the beach on your next cruise!
Half Moon Bay
Half Moon Bay is a public beach not far from West Bay. It’s one of the best West End beaches with towering palm and coconut trees and exotic birds.
There is a short stretch of sandy beach, which often draws in more locals than tourists.
Go to Half Moon Bay for an afternoon of horseback riding or swimming in the turquoise water.
Other main attractions at Port Half Moon Bay include boat excursions and water taxi rides.
It’s one of the top tourist spots on Roatan Island, so expect decent crowds. The best time to go is early morning, before the crowd rush.
This smaller beach is home to some of the West End’s top restaurants, including Sundowner’s Beach Bar, Argentinian Grill, and Pazzo Italian Roatan.
Also, don’t forget to check out the submarine excursions in the cove!
Little French Key
Head to Little French Key for a secluded vacation away from the main tourist areas.
It’s a private island on the southern shore, just off the coast of Big French Cay, a more extensive island.
Little French Key Island, a resort hotel, owns the island, and you can access the beaches by booking a room.
Little French Key has several beaches with charming huts, lounge chairs, and hammocks. You can find a shaded area to read a book, a sunny shore to sunbathe in, or a cove with clear waters for swimming.
Water sports are popular at the resort, and the hotel offers snorkeling, jet skiing, kayaking, and water horseback riding.
There’s a spa nearby where you can get manicures and massages and a zoo housing local wildlife.
If you work up an appetite, you’re in luck as Little French Key is home to several top-rated seafood restaurants.
Camp Bay Beach
Camp Bay Beach is a remote beach on the island’s north shore. It’s about an hour’s drive from the airport and a few minutes away from the Paya Bay Resort.
There aren’t a lot of amenities at this out-of-the-way spot, but Camp Bay Public Beach is ideal for travelers wanting a quiet place away from other tourists.
You’ll find this long beach has gorgeous white sand, piers, and some rocky areas. The shallow water is great for swimming but can get choppy on a windy day.
Come prepared and consider hiking in the nearby forest if the conditions get too rough.
Camp Bay Beach is well-regarded for its kitesurfing.
Book a kite trip or take lessons at the nearby kite surf shop. The waters also make Camp Bay ideal for snorkeling, with crystal-clear views of coral reefs and colorful tropical fish.
Sandy Bay Beach
Sandy Bay Beach is on the northern coast, offering visitors easy access from the main road of Carretera Principal.
It’s about 10 minutes from West End Village and is a public beach popular with locals and tourists.
Stop by on your next cruise or book a vacation rental right on the beach to experience Sandy Bay.
The beach is small and secluded, with a scenic pier ideal for unwinding. There’s a sand volleyball court alongside opportunities for kayaking and horseback riding.
However, Sandy Bay isn’t a swimmer’s paradise, and the beach is more dirt than sand.
High tide is the worst time to visit as the water levels mean there’s little to do on the already small beach.
Still, the main draw of Sandy Bay Beach is its peaceful atmosphere. You won’t see large crowds here and can usually find a place to yourself.
Before you leave, be sure to visit the Carambola Botanical Gardens about five minutes away.
Paya Bay Beach
Paya Bay Beach is a resort-owned retreat on the northern shore. It’s a protected cove with mild waves, clear waters, and sandy beaches.
It’s a lovely spot for relaxation, thanks in part to the numerous tables, hammocks, and shaded areas to grab a seat.
Book a weekend at the Paya Bay Resort and enjoy yoga classes, pool swimming, scuba diving, and birdwatching.
If you want to go further afield, consider a boat excursion, as the sunsets over Roatan’s pristine waters offer incredible views.
The resort is a great spot for lunch and gives you access to the beach for a few hours. As with several other places in Roatan, Paya Bay Beach sees its fair share of cruise ships.
Keep that in mind if you’d rather avoid crowds, especially as it is on the smaller side.
Be aware that some zones of the shore are adults only, and the resort allows nudism.
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more about the Roatan area with these frequently asked questions.
When is the best time to experience Roatan’s beaches?
The best time to visit Roatan is from January to May, during the dry season. Temperatures are moderate, rain is low, and there are some cloudy days.
Tourism peaks from June to August, while the dry season sees fewer visitors.
How popular is Roatan as a tourist destination?
Roatan is a top tourist destination in the Caribbean Sea and the most popular of the Bay Islands of Honduras.
Over two million people visited in 2016 alone, with many being cruise passengers. Despite that, Roatan still has secluded beaches for a quiet vacation.
What’s the weather like in Roatan?
Roatan is near the equator, and the weather is remarkably pleasant year-round. Temperatures average 70°F to 80°F with little cloud cover during summer.
April is the peak dry month, with only three days of rain on average. In October, about half of the days are rainy.
Final Thoughts
If you’re going to Central America or the western Caribbean, why not book a weekend on the island of Roatan and experience the beautiful beaches?
It has a bounty of stunning beaches, some of which still feels untouched by tourism.
Once you’ve landed, you’ll be spoiled with incredible beauty spots, crystal clear waters, water sports, and countless other attractions.
The beautiful country of Honduras and the best Roatan Honduras beaches wait for you!
