West Bay, Roatan

West Bay is located at the very Southwest point of Roatan, the largest of Honduras's Bay Islands. The white sandy beach forms a crescent shape that is lined with restaurants, resorts, and small beachside bars. Perhaps the biggest draw is the exceptionally clear ocean water and equally impressive sea life in the bay. Snorkeling and scuba diving are the top activities here, as Roatan lies on the southern edge of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, the second-largest barrier reef in the world. In more detail, just off the beach of West Bay, you can expect to see sea turtles, eels, sea fans, barrel sponge, lion fish (not native), and a diversity of other swimming and crawling creatures that is too plentiful to exhaustively list here.

In addition to the undersea viewing activities, West Bay offers boating, kayaking, and beach volleyball, to name a few fun activities. Due to the large amount of activities and great snorkeling/diving conditions, West Bay is a go-to location for tourists. If you’re looking for more of the local culture, you’ll need to travel outside of this location; while you’re here, however, you will certainly find plenty to keep you entertained.

Roatan Logistics

The island of Roatan is most commonly accessed by a flight from mainland Honduras or from Houston, Texas. There is only one airport on the island, so any visitor that is not arriving by boat will start from this centrally located point. Because the island is small (less than 50 miles from end to end), taking a taxi from the airport to your residence is likely the most efficient and cost-effective option. Popular destinations such as West Bay and West End will have options for vehicle rentals at a reasonable price.