Roatán Snorkeling Tour: West Bay Reef, The Snyg Wreck & Turtles

Q: Is it better than snorkeling from West Bay beach?

A thousand times better. From the beach, you see one accessible stretch of reef, it's pretty, but limited. By boat we reach the 3 BEST spots in West Bay: the Snyg wreck (which you can't get to from the beach), Turtle Crossing (famous for green sea turtle encounters), and a section of coral reef where the water is crystal-clear and the corals are pristine. You'll see 5× more in 3 hours than you would from the beach in a whole day.

Q: Is it safe for snorkeling beginners?

Yes. You get a full briefing on board before every entry into the water, in English, French or Spanish, a flotation vest if you'd like one, and I stay in the water with you if you're nervous. Many of my guests are doing their VERY FIRST snorkeling experience with me and come out thrilled. The water is usually calm and clear (20 to 30 m visibility).

Q: Snorkeling in Roatán vs Cozumel, how do they compare?

Cozumel has a good reputation, but Roatán sits on the **2nd largest barrier reef in the world** (the Mesoamerican Reef, right behind Australia's Great Barrier Reef). The waters are calmer, the reef is more accessible from shore, and you'll find one-of-a-kind sites like The Snyg (wreck) and Turtle Crossing. More turtles, more wrecks, fewer crowds. Plenty of my guests come from Cozumel and say Roatán is the better of the two.

Q: What's included in the $95 USD?

The private boat, your trilingual guide (me, Patrice), the full snorkeling gear (fins, mask, snorkel), flotation vests, refreshments on board (water, sodas, beers), and pickup at your hotel/Airbnb or the cruise pier.

Q: The Snyg wreck, is it deep?

No, and that's the beauty of it: the wreck rests at about 3 to 5 meters deep, perfect for snorkeling. You can see it clearly from the surface, and if you free-dive you can drop down for a closer look. No tank needed, a mask and your fins are enough.

Q: How long does the excursion last?

Half a day, 3 to 4 hours from departure to return. It's perfect for keeping the rest of your day free for something else: beach, restaurant, nap. We usually head out in the morning, when the sea is calmer and the underwater light is just right.

Q: Where do you leave from? Do you pick me up at my hotel?

I'll come get you at your hotel or Airbnb (West Bay, West End, Sandy Bay, French Harbour). For cruise passengers landing at Mahogany Bay or Coxen Hole, I come straight to the pier, a transfer of about 30 min to the boat and we're in the water.

Q: When do the departures run?

Every Tuesday as a regular group. On request for other days (private excursion, different rate, just message me).

Q: Will we really see turtles?

The spot is called Turtle Crossing for a reason, we see them on almost every trip. I can't promise 100% (they're wild animals), but the odds are excellent. If we're really lucky, we also come across rays, barracudas and even dolphins from time to time.

Q: Can I combine it with a hotel stay?

Yes, it's my specialty. I handle your Roatán stay (Henry Morgan, Infinity Bay, Mayan Princess, Kimpton Grand, etc.) + guided excursions in a single package. [See my recommended hotels →](/en/hotels/)

3 dream spots in a half day: the best snorkeling on Roatán, by boat. The Snyg wreck, Turtle Crossing and the West Bay coral reef. Tuesdays with Patrice: briefing in English, French or Spanish, mask and fins included, refreshments on board. 🤿

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⏱️ Half day (3 to 4 h) 👥 Small group · private boat 💰 From $95 USD / person

Roatán Snorkeling Tour: West Bay Reef, The Snyg Wreck & Turtles

Guided excursion — Roatán

Booking

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Pick your date, the number of travelers and your pickup. Quick confirmation from Patrice and secure payment (50% deposit or pay in full).

📅 Tuesday ⏱️ Half-day · 3–4 h 💵 $95 USD / person

Patrice's welcome trip. Your Roatán week starts here: a half-day boat outing to the best snorkeling spots on the reef, so you find your bearings in the water from day one.

🚤 Departs from Henry Morgan beach, West Bay

1 West End Wall : your first encounter with Roatán’s famous reef wall, in calm conditions, the perfect spot to get comfortable in the water.
2 Texas : a vast coral plateau teeming with life: schools of colorful fish swirling around the coral heads.
3 Turtle Crossing 🐢 : just like the name says, green turtles grazing peacefully. No guarantees (wild animals), but when it happens, it’s the moment you’ll talk about all winter.

✅ Experienced captain
✅ Refreshments on board
✅ Service in English, French & Spanish 🇨🇦

You leave comfortable in a mask and fins, ready to make the most of the rest of your week.

The excursion

Tuesday on Roatán is snorkeling day

Three spots. One half day. The best snorkeling on Roatán, by boat, not from the beach, where you see 10% of what the island has to offer.

This is my signature Tuesday excursion: we board the boat at West Bay, I brief you in English, French or Spanish, and we hit the 3 premium spots you simply can’t reach from shore. You come out with wild underwater photos and the feeling that you finally saw Roatán the right way.

The 2nd largest barrier reef in the world 🪸

Roatán sits on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the 2nd largest in the world, right behind Australia’s. Calm waters, 20 to 30 meter visibility, hard and soft corals in perfect health, staggering biodiversity. That’s why people fly here instead of heading to Cozumel or the Bahamas, the snorkeling is objectively better.

The 3 spots on the excursion

1️⃣ The West Bay coral reef 🪸

We start with a section of the West Bay coral reef away from the crowds on the beach. Crystal-clear water, swaying soft corals, colorful parrotfish, sergeant majors, angelfish. It’s the perfect warm-up to get comfortable with your mask and fins.

2️⃣ The Snyg wreck ⚓

The showstopper: The Snyg, a wreck resting at 3 to 5 meters deep, reachable while snorkeling, no scuba tank required. The structure is colonized by corals and shelters intense marine life: barracudas, snappers, groupers, and sometimes a ray gliding underneath. For photos, it’s pure gold.

3️⃣ Turtle Crossing 🐢

The spot lives up to its name: we see green sea turtles on almost every trip, grazing the seagrass beds or coming up for a breath. Calm, gorgeous, magical. One of those moments that stays with you forever when you visit Roatán.

🌟 Possible bonus, if the tide and current cooperate, we swing by Starfish Alley, the stretch where dozens of orange starfish carpet the sandy bottom. Photos guaranteed.

Why by boat and not from the beach?

West Bay is famous for its reef you can reach from the beach, and that’s true, it’s pretty. But here’s the reality:

Why by boat and not from the beach?
Snorkeling from the beach	Snorkeling by boat (this excursion)
⚓ No access to the Snyg wreck	⚓ The Snyg wreck included
🐢 Turtles occasionally (rare)	🐢 Turtle Crossing, turtles almost guaranteed
👥 Solid crowd of tourists	👥 Small group on your private boat
🤿 1 section of the reef	🤿 3 different spots in 3 hours
💼 No guide	💼 Trilingual guide + safety
🥤 You’re on your own	🥤 Refreshments on board

Verdict: if you only get one shot at snorkeling on Roatán, do it by boat. You’ll see 5× more for $95 USD.

What’s included in the $95 USD

✅ Private boat for the half day
✅ Trilingual guide (me, Patrice), safety briefing + in the water with you
✅ 3 snorkeling spots (West Bay reef · The Snyg · Turtle Crossing)
✅ Full snorkeling gear: fins, mask, snorkel
✅ Flotation vest if you’d like one
✅ Refreshments on board (water, sodas, beers)
✅ Pickup at your hotel, Airbnb or cruise pier

What’s NOT included

📸 Underwater camera (bring your own or use your phone in a waterproof pouch)
💸 Tip for the captain + guide (at your discretion, if you enjoyed the day)

Who it’s for

Travelers who want THE best snorkeling on Roatán without any hassle
Cruise passengers ashore for the day, it’s the most efficient excursion to make the most of Roatán in 4 hours
Beginner snorkelers, safe environment, patient guide
Experienced snorkelers who want to see the wreck + the turtles
Québécois travelers who want service in French on the island (English and Spanish too)
Couples and families (kids 8 and up love it)

Who it’s NOT for

If you’re after scuba diving with certification (ask me about a separate PADI course)
If you’re afraid of deep water and refuse to put your head underwater
If you want the “5-stop full-day” version, take a look at Pigeon Cay at $200 USD instead

Combine it with your stay

Staying in West Bay (Henry Morgan, Infinity Bay, Mayan Princess, Kimpton Grand Roatan, etc.)? I’ll coordinate your stay + snorkeling + other excursions in a single package. See my recommended hotels → or browse all my excursions →.

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