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Everything about Roatán

Practical tips, good deals and insider secrets to make your trip a success — written from the island.

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Roatán fishery slate showing the species you see most, and the ones you cannot keep
On the water

Fishing in Roatán, and the catches you don’t keep

Three fisheries from one island, with blue water closer to shore than almost anywhere else. Some species are protected year round, others only for part of the season.

Checked 21 September 2026
Aerial view of West Bay, Roatán, with the title “eSIM or local SIM card? The network that works here”
Getting ready

Roatan SIM card or Honduras eSIM: Claro vs Tigo

Which network actually works on the island, the eSIMs that run on each one, checked prices, and where to buy a SIM card locally.

Checked September 29, 2026
Satellite view of Roatán’s south coast and harbour entrance, with the Galaxy Wave and Dream Ferries logos
Getting here

The ferry to Roatán, and whether you should take it

Two companies, four crossings a day, 68 km of open water in 1 h 30. Or a 25-minute flight. How rough it gets depends on the wind, and nobody writes that down.

Checked September 14, 2026
The Honduran customs declaration form
Before you go

Honduras entry forms: you probably only need one

Two government forms come up when you search for this and travellers file both. Only the customs declaration is required; the immigration pre-check stopped being mandatory in December 2023.

Checked September 14, 2026
Where to Stay in Roatán: West Bay and West End, or the Rest of the Island by Car?
where to stay in roatan

Where to Stay in Roatán: West Bay and West End, or the Rest of the Island by Car?

Where to stay in Roatán? West Bay and West End: the tourist hub, doable without a car. The rest of the island needs one. A resident's guide.

October 7, 2026
Media Luna vs Henry Morgan in Roatán: which all-inclusive should you book?
media luna

Media Luna vs Henry Morgan in Roatán: which all-inclusive should you book?

Media Luna or Henry Morgan in Roatán? Beach, nightlife, snorkeling and what's included, compared by a local guide who lives on the island.

October 6, 2026
Becoming a Travel Agent in Quebec: What the Field Really Teaches You
career

Becoming a Travel Agent in Quebec: What the Field Really Teaches You

How to become a travel agent in Quebec, Canada: the OPC license, training, working from home, and what real-world experience actually teaches you.

October 1, 2026
Cruise ship size comparison: the 8 giants that dock in Roatán, and what 5,707 passengers look like from the pier
Cruise

Cruise ship size comparison: the 8 giants that dock in Roatán, and what 5,707 passengers look like from the pier

The largest cruise ship calling in Roatán carries 5,707 passengers. See how the eight giants compare, and what it means for your day ashore.

September 26, 2026
Mitchell-Hedges Skull: the Hoax, and What He Really Found
Roatán

Mitchell-Hedges Skull: the Hoax, and What He Really Found

The Mitchell-Hedges crystal skull was bought in London in 1943, not dug up in 1924. What he really found is catalogued at the Smithsonian, and it came out of Roatán.

September 18, 2026
Icon of the Seas vs Titanic: Five Times the Tonnage
Cruise

Icon of the Seas vs Titanic: Five Times the Tonnage

The Icon of the Seas is five times the Titanic's tonnage. Here is the measured comparison, and what her 5,610 passengers mean the day she docks in Roatán.

September 17, 2026
Whale sharks in Roatán: the honest answer about when you can see one
Roatán

Whale sharks in Roatán: the honest answer about when you can see one

Whale shark sightings around Roatán became rare, a couple of days a year, in March or September. Here is what really happens, and the shark encounter that is guaranteed.

September 12, 2026
Guanaja, the island next to Roatán, seen from the space station
Guanaja

Guanaja, the island next to Roatán, seen from the space station

Guanaja, right beside Roatán: almost no roads, a canal to cross it, a village on a cay 500 metres wide, and mangroves flattened by Hurricane Mitch. NASA's portrait of the quiet Bay Island.

September 11, 2026
Roatán satellite map: 50 years from space, 1973-2026
Roatán

Roatán satellite map: 50 years from space, 1973-2026

Roatán satellite map: four sliders to drag, from 1973 to 2026. NASA's Landsat images, then our own composites built from USGS surface data.

September 10, 2026
Gumbalimba Roatán: the walk, the price, and whether it's worth it
Roatán

Gumbalimba Roatán: the walk, the price, and whether it's worth it

From a West Bay hotel, Gumbalimba is a 15-minute walk along the beach. Arriving on foot does not get you in free. Entry price, drive times from both cruise piers, and an honest verdict.

September 4, 2026
360 Aerial Tour of Roatán, See the Island from the Sky (Live in Alpha!)
Alpha

360 Aerial Tour of Roatán, See the Island from the Sky (Live in Alpha!)

Our 360 aerial tour of Roatán is live in alpha. The panoramic view is spectacular, here's how we built it and why the imperfections are worth it.

August 17, 2026
Best Zipline in Roatán: All 8 Courses Compared
roatan zipline

Best Zipline in Roatán: All 8 Courses Compared

Roatán's 8 zipline courses compared: height, speed, vibe and distance from the cruise pier. You pick the course, I get you there in a small private group.

July 25, 2026
Little French Key, Big French Key or Brady's Cay? The Honest Comparison of the French Keys
little french key

Little French Key, Big French Key or Brady's Cay? The Honest Comparison of the French Keys

The French Keys are two neighbouring private islands and three beach clubs. Only one charges an entry fee. What you find on each, and which one suits your day.

July 24, 2026
Finding the Best Local Guide for Roatan Excursions
local guide

Finding the Best Local Guide for Roatan Excursions

Want to see the authentic side of the island? Learn how to find the best local guide in Roatan for excursions, culture, and hidden gems.

July 15, 2026
Why Hiring a Private Tour Guide in Roatan is Worth Every Penny
private tour

Why Hiring a Private Tour Guide in Roatan is Worth Every Penny

Discover the island at your own pace. Find out why hiring a private tour guide in Roatan, Honduras is the ultimate way to experience the Caribbean.

July 15, 2026
Roatán vs Costa Rica, Cancún, Tulum, Punta Cana & Jamaica
cancun alternative

Roatán vs Costa Rica, Cancún, Tulum, Punta Cana & Jamaica

Roatán vs Costa Rica, Cancún, Tulum, Punta Cana and Jamaica, compared by a Quebecer living on the island since 2014. Where it wins, and where it doesn't.

July 15, 2026
Why You Should Book Roatan Shore Excursions Non-Cruise Line
shore excursions

Why You Should Book Roatan Shore Excursions Non-Cruise Line

Booking your Roatan shore excursions independently (non-cruise line) saves you money, avoids the massive crowds, and guarantees a better island experience.

July 15, 2026
Roatan Plane Crash: Preliminary Report Reveals New Details
Roatan

Roatan Plane Crash: Preliminary Report Reveals New Details

The preliminary report on the LANHSA flight LNH018 crash reveals the aircraft struck a structure before crashing into the sea. Here are the confirmed facts.

July 14, 2026
7 Free Things to Do at Roatán Cruise Port, Honduras
Cruise

7 Free Things to Do at Roatán Cruise Port, Honduras

The honest list of free things to do at the Roatán cruise port, Honduras: 7 that cost nothing, what West Bay really costs, and why, from a resident since 2014.

July 12, 2026
Is Roatán Safe for Tourists? A Local Answers
Safety

Is Roatán Safe for Tourists? A Local Answers

Violent crime against visitors is rare here; opportunistic theft is the real risk. Night rules, cruise-day reality and what advisories and locals actually say.

July 12, 2026
Moving to Roatán: An Honest Guide From a Resident
Living in Roatán

Moving to Roatán: An Honest Guide From a Resident

Thinking about moving to Roatán? A resident since 2014 gives you the honest picture: the dream, the friction, and exactly where to start.

July 12, 2026
Roatán Excursions: An Honest Local's Guide to the Best
Excursions

Roatán Excursions: An Honest Local's Guide to the Best

Roatán excursions worth your money: what's great, what to skip, and real USD prices, from a guide who has lived on the island since 2014.

July 12, 2026
Roatán Snorkeling Guide: Best Spots From the Beach
Snorkeling

Roatán Snorkeling Guide: Best Spots From the Beach

Roatán snorkeling from the beach: a resident divemaster's best spots, the reef map, currents and boat lanes, and when to take a boat.

July 12, 2026
Things to Do in Roatán: An Honest Guide From a Local
Guide

Things to Do in Roatán: An Honest Guide From a Local

Things to do in Roatán: reef, West Bay, West End, boat tours. The tourist attractions worth your time, picked by a local since 2014.

July 12, 2026
Fire at Fantasy Island Roatán: What Really Happened
Roatán

Fire at Fantasy Island Roatán: What Really Happened

Fire at Roatán's Fantasy Island Resort on March 2, 2026: what burned, what was saved, zero injuries. The straight story from a Canadian who lives on the island.

June 4, 2026
Air Canada Direct Flights to Roatán: All-Inclusive Package Prices
Flights

Air Canada Direct Flights to Roatán: All-Inclusive Package Prices

Discover the prices of Air Canada and Sunwing direct flights to Roatán. Compare all-inclusive rates for the Henry Morgan and Media Luna in 2026-2027.

June 1, 2026

A question about your trip?

I answer personally, in English, French or Spanish. Ask me anything — like you'd message a friend who already lives on the island.