10 Things to do in Mahogany Bay: Roatan Cruise Port
Chantelle KincyThe island of Roatan is a small island off the coast of Honduras, and it’s home to Mahogany Bay Cruise Port. Boasting stunning beaches, lush jungles, and spectacular coral reefs, Mahogany Bay is known as one of the world’s most beautiful ports of call.
Visitors to Mahogany Bay can experience a variety of activities, from kayaking and snorkeling to exploring the nearby Mayan ruins.
There are also plenty of shopping and dining options nearby, including local souvenir shops, ice cream parlors, and restaurants serving up some of the freshest seafood around.
When you visit Mahogany Bay Cruise Port be sure to take a stroll down the picturesque Mahogany Boardwalk, with its scenic views of the Caribbean Sea and plenty of opportunities to take in all the sights and sounds.
Whether you’re looking for a relaxing day at the beach or an exciting adventure in Honduras, Mahogany Bay Cruise Port makes it easy to experience it all.
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How to get to Mahogany Bay
Mahogany Bay cruise terminal in Roatan is owned by the Carnival Corporation. They have spent millions of dollars building up this small port to make it one of the most popular ports of call on a western Caribbean cruise itinerary.
The cruise lines that offer itineraries to Mahogany Bay are:
- Carnival Cruise Line
- Holland America
- Princess Cruises
- Regent Seven Seas
- Oceania
- P&O
- Thomson Cruises
- Costa Cruises
➡️ Check for Cruise Deals to Roatan by clicking here
Things to do at the Mahogany Bay Cruise Center
One of the reasons Roatan is such a popular destination for many cruise guests is that you can have a fun day without ever leaving the port area.
When your cruise ship arrives in the port of Roatan, the first thing you will see is the 20-acre welcome center. Here, you can shop for souvenirs, grab some food, or meet with your ship-sponsored Roatan cruise excursions.
1. Free Beach Day
If you are looking for a beach day, you can head to the beautiful Mahogany Bay Beach. This is a man-made beach, but offers a beautiful sandy bay, with white sand and decent snorkeling opportunities.
You can also play beach volleyball and enjoy water activities.
To get to the beach you have a free option and a paid option. The free option is walking along the nature trail to get to the beach.
Once there, you can take advantage of free lounge chairs and beach mats.
2. Ride a Magical Flying Chair
If you are looking for a fun way to get to the beach, be sure and upgrade to ride on a magical flying beach chair.
The Magical Flying Chair is a 10-minute ride that takes you 67 feet in the air above crystal-clear waters, over the treetops, and directly to the white sand beach.
The fee to ride the chair lift is $14 for adults, $8 for kids 4-12, and free for kids under 3. The fee allows a day pass with unlimited rides. Look for the pink building at the welcome center for lift tickets.
* You must be at least 32 inches tall to ride, and there is a 600-pound maximum weight per chair.
Once you are at Mahogany Beach you can relax with a massage!
If you would like to have a more intimate experience, there are 8 exclusive cabanas on a semi-private beach area. You can book these cabanas through the excursion department of your cruise line.
Things To Do From Mahogany Bay, Isla Roatan
If you are like me, the first thing you want to do when visiting a popular port of call is to get the heck away from the cruise terminal!
I love to book with local tour operators whenever possible to explore local restaurants, and local culture, help support the local economy, and really escape the crowds.
Luckily, Roatan is the perfect place to get out and explore! If you book an excursion that is not affiliated with your cruise line it is a good idea to check reviews and do your research.
I use Trip Advisor to check reviews. I also book with companies I trust such as Shore Excursion Group, and Viator.
➡️ See Roatan Shore Excursions Here
When you book an excursion in Roatan with one of the local tour companies you’ll need to exit the cruise center to meet up with them.
To do this, walk through the main shopping area and out the gate. You’ll take a short walk down a hill and see all of the tour guides waiting for you.
They are allowed to drop you off in the cruise center though, so after your excursion, you’ll be able to hop right back on your cruise ship or do a bit of shopping.
So, if you do get away from the port and want to explore Roatan, these are some of the best things to do!
3. Daniel Johnson’s Monkey and Sloth hangout
This is one of the best excursions I have ever done, not just on Roatan, but in any of our travels!
My kids still talk about it, and I’ve booked numerous clients on excursions here, and they all name it as their favorite cruise day too!
If the idea of snuggling with a cuddly sloth, and playing with cheeky monkeys named after Jersey Shore actors sounds fun, you can read about our experience and get more information on Daniel Johnson by reading this post.
✅Click Here to Book your day at Daniel Johnsons Monkey and Sloth Hangout
4. Scuba Diving or Snorkeling
Roatan is one of the most popular dive sites in the world. Just offshore lies the mesoamerican barrier reef, the 2nd largest coral reef in the world.
Enjoy the gorgeous water and interesting marine life in the shallow waters around Roatan Island. This destination is perfect for exploring coral gardens, sunken ships, caves, and more! We saw starfish, pufferfish, lobster, and so much more.
5. Little French Key
Little French Key is one of the more popular experiences for cruisers in Roatan. They offer scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, jet ski rental, massages, manicure, pedicures, horseback riding, sunbathing, and some of the best rope swings on Roatan. For animal lovers, there is a mini zoo with macaws, parrots, and monkeys.
6. West Bay Beach
Located on the west end of Roatan Island, West Bay is one of the most popular hangouts for visitors.
Here you’ll find all kinds of sightseeing tours, including glass-bottom boat rides, snorkeling tours, food, and shopping.
7. Zip Line Tour
There are a few tour operators that offer ziplining on Roatan, we chose to use Pirates of the Caribbean. It is super fun, and they are friendly and safe.
Read more about our ziplining day in Roatan here. Soaring over. the canopy while seeing views of the beautiful island is an adventure you won’t soon forget.
✅ Click here to book ziplining in Roatan
8. Gumbalina Park
Gumbalina Park includes a museum, a pool, an animal interaction center, a botanical garden, and a waterfront filled with water and submarine activities.
9. See Iguanas
Visit Arch’s Iguana& Marina Park to see and interact with over 4000 iguanas! you can also see monkeys, macaws, and parrots, and feed tarpon and sea bass. This animal sanctuary can be combined with other activities on the island too!
➡️ Click to Book Iguanas, Monkeys, Sloths, and Snorkeling!
10. Horseback Riding
Horseback riding in Roatan is a great way to explore the island. You can take rides on the beach or guided tours of various beaches, rivers, and trails.
It’s also possible to book horseback riding tours that include visits to Mayan Ruins and other attractions. Whether you’re an experienced rider or novice, there are plenty of happy horses ready for a ride in Roatan.
➡️ Book Horseback Riding Tours Here
✅ Click here to book a private, customizable tour in Roatan
Roatan Honduras FAQs
How long do you need in Roatan?
The island is small, and you can see quite a bit in one day if that is all you have. However, if you can spend a week, you can really explore and get to know Roatan better.
Is Roatan or Utila Better?
Roatan and Utila are both Bay Islands off the coast of Honduras in Central America. Both islands are wonderful. The main differences are, Roatan is bigger and has nicer beaches. Utila is more walkable and intimate.
What is the best month to go to Roatan?
February to August is the driest part of the year. Temperatures are mild year round. March and April are my favorite times to visit.
Is West Bay Beach Roatan Free?
Yes, access to the beach is free.
How Touristy is Roatan?
While Roatan is getting more and more popular, you can still find places to experience Roatan in its most authentic state. If you stay in the West End, its definitely touristy. If you go to other areas of the island, you can see a better representation of real life.
Is Roatan a Third-World Country?
Roatan is not a country. Isla Roatan is the largest of the Bay Islands, which are islands that are part of the country Honduras. Honduras is a third-world country.
Can you drink tap water in Roatan Honduras?
It’s best to drink bottled water in Roatan, however using tap water for brushing your teeth or cooking should be ok.
What language is spoken in Roatan?
Spanish is the official language in Roatan. However, we found that most residents speak English (Creole English).
Roatan in One Day Conclusion
As I mentioned, Roatan is one of our favorite ports of call. It has quickly become the favorite of many of my clients as well.
From excellent snorkeling over a pristine coral reef, relaxing on a white sand beach, visiting a sloth sanctuary, taking an ATV tour, or just soaking up the local culture, I am confident that you will love Roatan too!
When we were there the house was on the market… I thought of just moving in right there and sending for my stuff later 🙂
My daughters dream would be to hold a sloth and mine would be to live in a house like that! Looks like an awesome adventure. I hope to go one day soon!
This looks like a great place to visit! The water is crystal clear and who doesn’t love the local animals!
This does look like a fabulous day! I hope to go on a cruise one day!
Roatan is someplace I’ve always wanted to visit. It looks like you had a great trip. It gives me inspiration for me to plan a trip there.
We have visited Roatan, Honduras a few times and enjoyed it. We like to snorkel there.
Love hearing about wildlife sanctuaries…those sloths are so cool looking. I’ve never ziplined before so I think I’d be a little nervous…but what a beautiful place to do it.
We LOVED Roátan too!! The monkey and sloth hang out looks so cool! Definately need to check it out when we go back too!
I want to hold a sloth! What an amazing experience!