11 Fun Things to Do in Roatán, Honduras

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Roatan is the kind of place where you can decide to just relax on one of the stunning beaches while sipping drinks, or be more adventurous and among other things go snorkeling or diving. No matter what you want to do, I’ve gathered all the top things to do in Roatan here, including the best beaches and snorkeling sites.

I spent almost three weeks on Roatan in 2025 and the charming island completely took me by surprise. It’s one of those dreamy Caribbean islands that somehow still feels under the radar. I was afraid it would be too touristy because of the cruise port, but as long as you plan accordingly and stay at the right places I’m sure you will love this island as much as I did!

Below I’ve gathered all my favorite things to do in Roatan!

Half Moon Bay Beach

Half Moon Bay is located right in the heart of West End and was hands-down my favorite beach in that area. It’s usually calm and clear, perfect for swimming or just floating around in the sunshine. There are a few chairs to rent, but most people just plop down with a towel or blanket. The beach has a local, laid-back vibe and you’re always just steps away from cafes, dive shops, and cute food spots.

Half Moon Bay Beach in Roatan

Jumping Boat Platform

From Half Moon Bay, you’ll spot a floating boat platform in the water. It’s been transformed into a little adventure spot with swings and ropes. You have to swim out to get there (it’s a bit of a workout!), but once you’re there, it’s free and super fun. Not really my thing, but Adrian loved it and went back multiple times.

Boat turned in to jumping platform on Roatan

Unnamed Beach – Secret Local Hangout

There’s a more hidden beach near the end of West End, in the opposite direction from Half Moon Bay. It doesn’t even have a name and we kind of just stumbled across it and ended up having it entirely to ourselves. It doesn’t have the same wow-factor as Half Moon Bay, but honestly, having an entire beach to yourself? That’s magic. There’s a hotel with a pier at the end if you want a nice lunch or somewhere to jump into the water from. It also has a super cute pink bar in the middle if you want something to drink during the day.

We had this beach all to ourselves on Roatan

Sunrise Beach Yoga

Not a morning person? Neither am I, but even I got up early to try beach yoga in West Bay. It was such a peaceful way to start the day. They arrange it at the Sun Yoga Studio overlooking the Half Moon Bay beach. Just sign up the day before and get an amazing start to your following morning!

West Bay Beach

This is the beach Roatán is famous for, and for good reason. Long stretches of powdery white sand, crystal-clear turquoise water, and plenty of beach bars and restaurants. It definitely has a more touristy vibe than Half Moon Bay, but it’s truly beautiful. Try to avoid going there on the same days as the cruise ships are in port. That way you will have a quieter experience.

You can check the cruise ship schedule here or here.

Party Boat Sunset Cruise

The sunsets in Roatan are absolutely stunning! You can of course choose to just watch them from the beach or one of the many cute restaurants, but if you want a more special evening I highly recommend going on a sunset party boat or a sunset cruise. You’ll enjoy the sunset with some great music, drinks and have plenty of photo ops.

Find your sunset cruise here!

One-Hour Snorkel trip

Even if you’re not a diver, Roatán has amazing snorkeling. They offer different tours, but the cheapest one is to join a 1-hour snorkel trip from West Bay or West End that will take you straight to the reef. You’ll get to see lots of fish and if you’re lucky maybe even a turtle. We didn’t see any turtles, but the possibility is there.

Snorkeling Tour to Starfish Alley & Shipwreck

This was a highlight of our time in Roatan. You can book a half-day tour to explore Starfish Alley (exactly what it sounds like—starfish everywhere) and a nearby sunken shipwreck. On this tour they also usually stop at the snorkel spot I mentioned above, so no need to book both of them.

This is also an activity I would try to book on days there are no cruise ships in port, otherwise there will be lots of people in the water snorkeling at the same spots.

Pro Tip: Use this link to avoid cruise ship days when planning where to stay and what to do.

This is the snorkel tour we booked and loved!

Find all the best tours in Roatan here!

Go Diving (If You’re Certified or Want to Be)

Roatán is famous for its scuba diving, and if you’re certified, or thinking about getting certified, this is a great place to do it. There are tons of reputable dive shops in both West End and West Bay with courses, day dives, and even night dives. I personally didn’t do this so I can’t give you any personal recommendations unfortunately. Another amazing, and slightly cheaper place to do this is on Utila if you’re also thinking of heading there.

Visit the Chocolate Factory

If you’re craving something sweet, head to the Roatán Chocolate Factory in West End. They make handcrafted chocolate from local cacao and offer free tastings. Absolutely delicious!

Book a chocolate making experience here!

Watch the Sunset with a Drink in Hand

Some of our favorite evenings were spent with a cold drink, bare feet in the sand, and no plans except watching the sky turn pink. West End and West Bay both have great sunset spots, so just find one with a good happy hour and settle in. I particular loved Bariloche because they have a pretty rustic bar set up right on the beach.

Enjoying the sunset in Roatan

Final Thoughts: Is Roatán Worth It?

Roatán is that perfect mix of laid-back island life and active adventure. Whether you’re lounging on the beach, exploring the reef, or grabbing tacos with your toes in the sand, you’ll feel like you’ve found a secret Caribbean paradise.

It’s the kind of place that makes you want to stay longer and maybe never leave.

If you have any question about Roatan, Honduras or Central America in general, don’t hesitate to reach out to me on social media. I would love to connect and help out!

-Ingrid