Roatán
A narrow island on the southern edge of the Mesoamerican reef, where the coral begins a few strokes from the sand of West Bay.
- Arrival
- Juan Manuel Gálvez International · RTB
- To West Bay
- About 9.5 km from the airport in a straight line
- Private jets
- Customs at RTB; tower open 6 am to 8 pm
- Best time
- April to May
The city
A reef within reach of the beach.
Roatán is the largest of the Bay Islands, some 59 km long and nowhere wider than eight. It lies on the southern edge of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, and at West Bay the coral starts within an easy swim of the beach. Next door, West End is the island’s diving and social hub, and in 2005 dive operators and local businesses founded the Roatán Marine Park to protect the reef.
Coxen Hole, beside the airport, is the island’s main town. On the north coast, Punta Gorda was founded by Garifuna whom the British deported to Roatán in 1797. April and May are the driest months; from October to December the rain passes 400 mm a month.
- West Bay Beach White sand on the island’s western shore, with the reef a few strokes out; each May it hosts the Caribbean Cup freediving competition.
- West End The island’s diving and social hub, a road lined with shops and small hotels.
- Punta Gorda The Garifuna community on the north coast, founded after the deportation of 1797.
Arriving
An island airport with a daytime tower.
Juan Manuel Gálvez International sits at the western end of the island, by Coxen Hole; West Bay Beach is under ten kilometres away in a straight line.
- Miami 1 h 55
- Palm Beach 2 h 05
- Boston 4 h 30
- Marrakech 10 h 35 long-range jet
- Munich 12 h 15 long-range jet
When to go
April to May.
The air stays at 28 to 32 °C through the year and the sea at 26 to 29 °C. April and May are the driest months, under 85 mm each; the rains build through the summer and peak from October to December at more than 400 mm a month.
- 28° J 277 27°
- 28° F 182 26°
- 30° M 115 27°
- 30° A 76 27°
- 31° M 81 28°
- 31° J 139 28°
- 31° J 202 28°
- 32° A 168 29°
- 32° S 192 29°
- 30° O 444 29°
- 29° N 448 28°
- 28° D 399 27°
Where to stay
Two Keys on West Bay.
Shown for information. We have no arrangement with any of these hotels.
Where to dine
Where to book in West Bay.
No MICHELIN Guide covers Honduras. These are the top-priced restaurants of the two hotels below, among the best rated on Tripadvisor.
- Luna Muna by Ibagari Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice 2025 Italian and seafood $$$$ Ibagari Boutique Hotel, West Bay
- Alera Rated 4.9 on Tripadvisor Caribbean $$$$ Kimpton Grand Roatan, West Bay
Elsewhere in Honduras
More reasons to come.
Flying to Roatán?
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