A Perfect Day at West Bay Beach, Roatan

The moment we stepped off the cruise ship in Roatan, we were ready for a beach day. The port area was lively and colorful, with tour guide waiting just outside. We had booked with Alpha Tours, and finding our guide was quick and easy. Within minutes, we were on our way and already feeling good about our decision to book outside the cruise line.

COXEN HOLE CRUISE PORT GUIDE

If you have an upcoming cruise that will be docking in Honduras, you have come to the right place. Roatan is one of the most popular cruise destinations in the Western Caribbean, and knowing what to expect before you arrive can help you make the most of your day in port.

Harmony of the Seas: What to Know Before Your Cruise

If you’ve never sailed on Harmony of the Seas, one thing becomes obvious pretty quickly—you are not on a small cruise ship.

Harmony of the Seas is one of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class ships, and it really does feel more like a floating city than a traditional cruise ship. There are multiple neighborhoods, restaurants, pools, entertainment venues, shops and activities spread throughout the ship.

When I sailed on Harmony of the Seas, I quickly realized that having an idea of what to expect before boarding can make your cruise much easier and more enjoyable.

Here are some things I think are worth knowing before you go.

EXPLORING ROATAN, HONDURAS (Outside of the Cruise Port)

Roatan, Honduras is my favorite port out of all of the Caribbean ports I have visited.  Of course I'm  leaving on another cruise next month out of Puerto Rico so this may change.  Either way, Roatan is still a great port.

Carnvial has an amazing free Beach, Mahogany Bay, which is beautiful and an easy walk from the ship.  

I have spent my time in port going only to the beach and I loved it.  

The last time I went with my daughter and some friends, we hired a driver right outside of the port and for $30 a person, they carried us anywhere we wanted to go.  You can check out my video HERE.

To get outside of the port, you will want to veer left once you get through the Dufry shop (#12 on map) and walk to the courtyard.  You will want to walk to the end building with the red roof(#3 on the map).  This is the car rental and information area.

MAHOGANY BAY CRUISE PORT ~ ROATAN HONDURAS

Is Mahogany Bay one of the stops on your next cruise? If you’re wondering what there is to do while in port, you may be pleasantly surprised. Mahogany Bay is one of those destinations where you don’t need to book an excursion or even leave the port to enjoy your day. 



Mahogany Bay was built by Carnival, which means it’s designed with cruise passengers in mind and offers plenty to do right in the port area. One of the highlights is the beautiful beach, complete with plenty of lounge chairs where you can relax and enjoy the view. You’ll also find a variety of shops to browse, along with a few restaurants and food stands if you’d rather stay close and grab a bite without heading off the property.

This option allows to enjoy a leisurely breakfast before heading ashore. It’s the perfect opportunity to slow down, enjoy your meal, and even catch the sunrise before making your way to the port for the day.

CARNIVAL CRUISE PORT ~ MAHOGANY BAY, ROATAN (HONDURAS)

Carnival Cruise ships dock at the Mahogany Bay Cruise Center, located in Dixon Cove east of Coxen Hole.  There are a few shops in port along with several restaurants, bars, and souvenir shops.  Adjacent to the cruise center is 10 acre Mahogany Beach.  It's a little walk but you can take the "Magic Flying Beach Chair" for $14 (unlimited rides for the day).

Mahogany Bay is a great ports because you have the option of hanging out in port without spending a penny.  Of course there is shopping and restaurants available but you can still enjoy the beach without having to pay for an excursion.

HENRY MORGAN BEACH RESORT ~ ROATAN, HONDURAS

There’s no arguing that the beach here is beautiful. We didn’t book an excursion through the cruise line, but instead hired a driver/guide outside the Carnival cruise port. We asked to visit a nice beach, and they took us to the Henry Morgan Resort. Admission was $10, which included access to clean restrooms and a beach chair.

We were only there for about three hours, so I can’t personally speak to the food or lodging, but you’ll find plenty of information on TripAdvisor. Overall, most of the negative reviews of this resort relate to the food. The beach itself is public, so you’re likely to find a great place to eat nearby.