Roatán
Roatán is Honduras's largest Bay Island, known for coral reef diving and white-sand beaches, with West End and West Bay as the usual bases.
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Roatán is the largest of the Bay Islands, a group off Honduras's northern Caribbean coast, lying between Utila and Guanaja. Most of the island is forest, and little of it is settled. Its south edge meets the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, which ranks second among the world's barrier reefs. Coxen Hole, the capital, has the airport, the cruise pier and the bus departure point for other villages. West End is the diving and service hub, and West Bay has some of the island's best beaches, reached by taxi from Coxen Hole or by boat from West End.
Divers and snorkelers come for the reef and white-sand beaches fringed with coconut palms. The climate is tropical with a sea influence, around 27 °C, though cold fronts can bring winter lows near 12 °C. Rain can fall five to ten times a month. Flights land at Juan Manuel Gálvez International Airport (RTB), and the Galaxy Wave ferry crosses from La Ceiba in one to one and a half hours. Three days can cover the reef, West Bay and a boat trip to a nearby cay.
Roatán in five
- Pay the voluntary reef feeThe Roatan Marine Park lists a voluntary user fee of 10 US dollars and gives a bracelet or token in return, sold at its EcoStore in West End and at participating dive shops.Roatan Marine Park
- Pick West End or West Bay firstWest End has dive shops and restaurants on foot; West Bay has the wide beach and resorts. The ferry operator puts both about 40 to 50 minutes from its terminal.Where to stay in Roatán
- Register an hour before the ferryGalaxy Wave sails La Ceiba to Roatán at 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., and back at 7:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Passengers must register an hour before departure and show a passport.Ferry or flight from La Ceiba
- Sort the visa and customs formEntry rules depend on your passport, and everyone must complete the online customs declaration before entering and leaving. Start with the Honduras guide and check the visa checker for your passport.Honduras guide
- Travel with a reputable guideUK advice says the Bay Islands are generally safer than the mainland but visitors have been attacked, including on ferries. Lock valuables in a safe and avoid remote side roads at night.
Need to know
- Airport
- Roatán, about 15 min by taxi from the ferry terminal
- Getting there
- Flights, or the Galaxy Wave ferry from La Ceiba
- Getting around
- Taxis and hotel transfers; roads are limited
- Best base
- West End for diving, West Bay for the beach
- Time needed
- 3–5 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain18 rainy daysHigh26°Low24°Some rain, coolerJanuaryRain
Good
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 164 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Some rain, cooler
- FebruaryRain14 rainy daysHigh26°Low25°Calmer, drierFebruaryRain
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 91 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Calmer, drier
- MarchClear9 rainy daysHigh27°Low25°Dry, calm seasMarchClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 59 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, calm seas
- AprilClear6 rainy daysHigh28°Low26°Dry, hotAprilClear
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 45 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, hot
- MayClear6 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°Dry, hotMayClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 25 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, hot
- JuneRain13 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh29°Low27°Hot, storm seasonJuneRain
Good
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 74 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hot, storm season
- JulyRain17 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°Hot, storm seasonJulyRain
Good
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 78 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, storm season
- AugustRain18 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°Hot, storm seasonAugustRain
Good
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 111 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, storm season
- SeptemberRain20 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°Storm seasonSeptemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 124 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Storm season
- OctoberRain24 rainy daysHigh28°Low27°Storm risk, wetterOctoberRain
Poor
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 344 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Storm risk, wetter
- NovemberRain24 rainy daysHigh27°Low25°Wetter, north windsNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 367 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wetter, north winds
- DecemberRain23 rainy daysHigh27°Low25°Wetter, coolerDecemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 256 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wetter, cooler
Average daily high and low in Roatán, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Roatán
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
27
- Feels like
- 29°
- Humidity
- 76%
- Wind
- 11 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 97%
Roatán
03:55 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today28°25°97%Monday: Rain. High 28°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 97%.
- Tue28°27°59%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 59%.
- Wed29°26°44%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 44%.
- Thu28°26°53%Thursday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 53%.
- Fri28°26°53%Friday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 53%.
- Sat28°27°69%Saturday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 69%.
- Sun28°25°55%Sunday: Rain. High 28°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 55%.
Updated 03:36 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 26.94 HNL
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
Day trips from Roatán, the full guide- La Ceibaabout 1 hour 10 minutes by Galaxy WaveThe mainland port for buses, Pico Bonito and the Cangrejal River.Read the guide
- Utilaby ferry, check the scheduleThe smaller Bay Island known for dive courses; the operator lists fares.
- Guanajalimited weekend sailingsA quieter Bay Island; the operator lists Friday to Sunday sailings.
Before you go to Roatán
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Roatán, checked
- Galaxy Wave: register at the terminal at least one hour before departure and show a valid passport or resident card.Checked Oct 3, 2026 · Source
- The Roatan Marine Park lists a voluntary user fee of 10 US dollars; payers receive a bracelet or token.Checked Oct 3, 2026 · Source
- Airlines in Honduras can change their schedules at short notice; check with your airline or travel agent before you travel.Checked Oct 3, 2026 · Source
Roatán FAQ
How many days do you need in Roatán?
Three days cover a reef day, a beach day and an island excursion. Add days for a dive course, which takes several days, or for Utila and Guanaja by ferry. Four to five days feels unhurried for divers.
West End or West Bay in Roatán?
West End for divers and anyone who wants dive shops and restaurants on foot. West Bay for a wide beach, calm swimming and resort pools. Many trips split the stay between the two, since they are close.
How do you get from La Ceiba to Roatán?
By the Galaxy Wave ferry, which lists sailings at 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. and a crossing of about 1 hour 10 minutes, or by air. Register an hour before the ferry departs and carry a passport.
Is Roatán safe for tourists?
Most visits pass without trouble, but treat the island with common sense: lock valuables in the hotel safe, take taxis after dark and join a reputable guide for day trips, as UK advice recommends. Ferries carry the same advice.
Do you need a visa for Roatán?
It depends on your passport: British citizens need a visa for Honduras, and other passports differ. The Honduras guide and the visa checker show the rule for yours, so settle it before you book the ferry or flight.