Category: Caribbean

FAR AWAY SIGHTSEEING ISLAND TOUR

In this approximately five-hour excursion you ‘ll visit Punta Gorda and Oakridge, two of Roatán ‘s historical fishing villages. You ‘ll also take a boat ride to a private island for a bite to eat and downtime.

Excursion details

See more of Roatán, the largest of the Bay Islands of Honduras, on this roughly five-hour excursion that features visits to two villages on the north and south coasts, plus a trip to an island beach resort.

A roughly 35-minute transfer transports you to a panoramic viewpoint, where you ‘ll pause for around 15 minutes before continuing the journey for approximately 20 minutes, arriving at the village of Punta Gorda.

On the northern coast of the island, Punta Gorda is known as a Garifuna community, where the Afro-indigenous inhabitants are descended from a group of deportees who were exiled by the British following a quashed rebellion on the Caribbean island of St Vincent. Spend 30 minutes or so exploring the village before an approximately 20-minute traditional dance performance to a backdrop of rhythmic drumming.

Next, it ‘s a brief transfer across the island to Oakridge on the south coast. Often referred to as the ‘Venice of Roatán ‘, this photogenic fishing village is known for its colourful houses on stilts and its network of waterways.

Following a brief stop to admire the views, it ‘s an approximately 25-minute transfer to Lionfish Landing. There, you ‘ll make the short boat trip to Big French Key, a private island with a beach club just off the southern coast. The island’s name is believed to originate from a Frenchman who arrived in the 1760s.

After a roughly 20-minute break for a snack and drink, you ‘ll have an hour or so to enjoy the beach at leisure and relax. Finally, there ‘s a brief boat crossing back to the main island and an approximately 30-minute return journey to the port.

Important Information:This tour reaches a panoramic point located in a secluded part of the island, the road is paved for the most part and unpaved for the last 2 miles. During the stop at French Cay, it is possible to purchase other drinks, food or rent kayaks and snorkeling equipment. Guests using a wheelchair are advised that they must be accompanied by a paying companion to help with getting on and off the bus and that wheelchairs must be collapsible/foldable since the bus has neither a ramp nor a lift.

Guests using a wheelchair who would like to participate in this tour are requested to contact the Shore Excursions ‘ Desk promptly once they are on board so that arrangements can be made. Given the island ‘s infrastructure and narrow, winding roads, smaller buses are used for transportation in Roatan, allowing for easier navigation and more efficient travel through the island

GLASS BOTTOM BOAT, CAMEOS, AND RUM CAKE

Experience the underwater wonders of the Caribbean Sea on a tour aboard a glass-bottomed boat during this excursion, lasting approximately three hours. You ‘ll also visit the West End seaside village for a quick photo stop, and the Roatan Rum Company for a tasting.
Excursion Details

The Caribbean Sea is home to a kaleidoscope of coral reefs, tropical fish, sea turtles and other marine creatures. This excursion of around three hours takes you below the waterline to experience its sights via a semi-submersible vessel. Afterwards you ‘ll get to visit a seaside village and a factory that creates decorative objects known as cameos.

Begin with a drive of about 15 minutes to the Flowers Bay Roatan sign, where you ‘ll have a quick photo stop off the bus to snack some pictures and enjoy the view. Then, it ‘s back on the bus for an approximately 20-minute transfer to a boat dock, where your glass-bottomed vessel awaits, ready for your trip of around half an hour. Once onboard, descend a few steps into an underwater observatory, where you can view aquatic scenes, coral formations and potentially even marine creatures (although sightings cannot be guaranteed). During the tour, you ‘ll learn more about the Caribbean waters you ‘re sailing through and the marine life within them from an onboard guide.

Back on dry land, you ‘ll have approximately 15 minutes to enjoy the view and visit some of the nearby shops at West End Village or to remain onboard the bus for a quick drive through the village before returning to the village entrance to pick up those passengers who decided to get off.

Afterwards, there ‘s a drive of about 15 minutes to the Roatan Rum Company, where you ‘ll have the opportunity to sample some rum cake.

Finally, a 20-minute transfer takes you to a factory specialising in cameos, decorative objects intricately carved by artisans. Here, you ‘ll spend around 30 minutes watching these skilled craftspeople at work as they create items from coral and conch shells, and there ‘s the chance to purchase some of the objects afterwards.  A short transfer returns you to the port.

Important Information: In case the glass bottom boat ride cannot be operated due to bad weather, it will be replaced with a stop at the Institute of Marine Science and the Roatan Museum.

Given the island ‘s infrastructure and narrow, winding roads, smaller buses are used for transportation in Roatan, allowing for easier navigation and more efficient travel through the island. This tour is not recommended for guests who suffer from claustrophobia.

HIKING & ARCHAEOLOGY ADVENTURE

Excursion details

Enjoy a trek through jungle landscapes on this approximately three-hour excursion to Mayan Eden Eco Park.

Your trip begins with a transfer of 15 minutes or so to the park, located near Coxen Hole, in the southwest of the island. After a roughly 15-minute briefing you’ll embark on a guided hike of approximately 65 minutes, where you’ll have the chance to admire replicas of Maya artefacts and a hanging bridge that cuts through the canopy.

As you make your way along the trail, keep your camera ready for possible wildlife sightings.

Then there’s a short walk to a panoramic viewpoint, offering vistas of the Caribbean coastline. Following your time at the viewpoint you’ll visit nearby Coxen Hole, named after the 17th-century English pirate Captain John Coxen. You can choose to be dropped off at Coxen Hole and explore further, before independently making the short walk back to the ship, or you can choose to simply take the 15-minute return transfer drive back to the port.

Important Information: The trail at the park is not man-made, therefore, guests should wear closed toe and comfortable walking shoes. While there, please watch your head, as there are a few places where trees and branches will be in the pathway. It is recommended that guests bring insect repellent.

During the hike, guests will walk approximately 1 km on uneven terrain. Given the island’s infrastructure and narrow, winding roads, smaller buses are used for transportation in Roatan, allowing for easier navigation and more efficient travel through the island

KAYAK & SNORKELING ADVENTURE

Climb into a kayak and glide across the waters of Big French Key during this excursion of around five hours. Then swap your paddle for snorkelling gear and dip down to explore underwater.

Excursion details

During this excursion, lasting approximately five hours, you’ll spend time above and below the waters of Big French Key, a private island located off the southern coast of Roatán. The excursion starts with a land transfer of about 30 minutes to the Big French Key landing, followed by a short boat crossing to the island’s beach club.

Once arrived, spend around 15 minutes listening to an introductory briefing and signing waivers. Then set off on a guided kayak tour of approximately 30 minutes, paddling around Big French Key and its neighbouring island, known as Little French Key. Enjoy the scenery as you paddle and soak up the serenity.

Afterwards, there’s around 15 minutes to drop off your kayak and pick up snorkelling equipment before a short boat transfer to the snorkelling site. Over the next 45 minutes, take part in a guided snorkelling tour of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the world’s second-largest living coral reef. Look out for underwater marine and plant life as you snorkel.

Once the snorkelling session has finished, there’s a short transfer back to Big French Key’s beach club, where you’ll have approximately one hour of free time to visit the beach and relax. Then you’ll be able to enjoy complimentary light snacks and soft drinks for around 15 minutes.

Finally, you’ll depart Big French Key on a short boat crossing before a drive of about 30 minutes back to the port.

Important Information: Minimum age to participate in the water activities is 8 years old. Included in this tour is: Honduran coffee, natural fruit juice, snacks, water, iced tea, snorkelling equipment, paddles, kayaks and life-vests. All participating guests will be required to sign a waiver which may only be available in English. The spotting of wildlife is not guaranteed. Depending on the sea conditions, the snorkelling location for the tour may change.

The maximum weight to participate is 220 lbs per person. Given the island’s infrastructure and narrow, winding roads, smaller buses are used for transportation in Roatan, allowing for easier navigation and more efficient travel through the island

SHIPWRECK SNORKEL and BEACH

Spend time in and above the Caribbean Sea on this excursion of around five hours, during which you’ll snorkel out to a shipwreck. The snorkelling takes place off a private tropical island, where you’ll get the chance to relax afterwards.

Excursion details

Measuring just four and a half hectares, Big French Key is a private cay (a small island) set off the southern coast of Roatán, characterised by a mix of greenery and white-sanded beaches. Get to know this tropical location and its surrounding waters on a snorkelling excursion, lasting approximately five hours.

Start with a drive of about 30 minutes to reach the landing for your boat transfer. After a short crossing you’ll arrive at Big French Key’s beach club, where you’ll be welcomed with a fruit punch. Those new to snorkelling will get some introductory guidance over 15 minutes or so, before a boat ride of around 15 minutes takes you to the snorkelling site.

Then begins your guided snorkelling session of approximately one hour. During this time, you’ll be able to view the wreck of the Prince Albert – a large tanker that was intentionally sunk in 1985 to create a site of interest for divers and snorkellers – as well as nearby reefs, before a boat transfer of around 15 minutes back to Big French Key.

You’ll then have approximately one hour of free time to relax on the beach. Sit back on the sand and enjoy the sunshine or return to the water for another swim, if the mood takes you. Afterwards, make the short boat crossing back to Roatán, where a drive of around 30 minutes returns to the port.

Important Information: Guests must be at least 8 years old to participate in the snorkeling part of this tour. To participate to the snorkeling tour you must be able to swim. All participating guests will be required to sign a waiver which may only be available in English.

The snorkeling equipment provided (fins, snorkel, mask and snorkel flotation vest) is included, however, it can be kept only for the approximately one hour guided snorkelling time. Given the island’s infrastructure and narrow, winding roads, smaller buses are used for transportation in Roatan, allowing for easier navigation and more efficient travel through the island. The visibility of the shipwreck is weather permitting and in case of adverse weather the snorkeling site can be changed with coral reef barrier snorkeling or lobster snorkeling

SNAPSHOT OF ROATAN

Excursion details

This approximately five-hour excursion is a chance to get to know the island of Roatán through a variety of activities and experiences.

Begin with a transfer of around 35 minutes, which takes you to a panoramic viewpoint, where you’ll have approximately 15 minutes to capture the island’s coastline on camera.

It’s then a journey of roughly 20 minutes to an iguana sanctuary, where Roatán’s warm climate and vegetation offer an ideal habitat for these largely herbivorous reptiles. Guests can see the iguanas up-close and possibly even feed them. After around 20 minutes with the iguanas, you’ll make a brief visit to the in-sea tarpon aquarium.

Then it’s a short drive to The Buccaneer, a beachfront resort in French Harbour, which was established in 1967 as the Posada del Bucanero, one of the island’s first hotels. You’ll have around 15 minutes here to dip into the history of the Bay Islands at the venue’s on-site museum or simply relax by the water, before a journey of around 20 minutes to Las Palmas, a resort on the south of the island.

From there, you’ll embark on a roughly 20-minute boat ride along the coast, during which time you can admire the mangroves and spot a shipwreck in the waters of a nearby bay.

After returning to Las Palmas, you’ll enjoy a musical performance of around 20 minutes by the Garifuna, whose origin incorporates cultural elements of indigenous Caribbean and African groups. Central to the show is the Punta, the energetic dance characterised by fast, rhythmic movements.

Then enjoy a brief break for complimentary refreshments before approximately 75 minutes of free time on the beach at Las Palmas to enjoy the sea views or relax in the shade. This free time can also be used for shopping, if you prefer. Finally, a journey of around 20 minutes returns to the port to conclude the excursion.

Important Information: it is recommended that guests bring a bathing suit, towel, sunscreen, and cash or credit cards for any additional purchases. Given the island’s infrastructure and narrow, winding roads, smaller buses are used for transportation in Roatan, allowing for easier navigation and more efficient travel through the island

BFK BEACH BREAK, LUNCH & SIGHTSEEING BOAT RIDE

Excursion details

This excursion, lasting approximately five and a half hours, is a prime opportunity for relaxation on the small tropical island of Big French Key.

An approximately 30-minute drive from the port transports you to the dock for the short boat trip over to Big French Key. Back in the 18th century, a French settler is believed to have moved to the island, giving it its name.

On this tropical retreat you’ll be able to look out at the Caribbean Sea and the island’s smaller neighbour, Little French Key. Enjoy around two and a half hours of free time on the beach for swimming, playing volleyball, sunbathing, kayaking on the calm lagoon (kayaks are available on a first-come, first-served basis) or simply relaxing. Afterwards, there’ll be the chance to enjoy the island from a different viewpoint on a roughly 20-minute sightseeing boat trip along the coast to admire the mangroves and nearby bays.

Following the boat trip, enjoy a buffet lunch at a palapa – an open-sided beach restaurant – over approximately one hour. Then make the roughly 15-minute boat crossing back to the main island for a drive of around 30 minutes back to the port.

Important Information: It is recommended that guests bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, insect repellent, a hat, sunglasses, and cash for purchases. Given the island’s infrastructure and narrow, winding roads, smaller buses are used for transportation in Roatan, allowing for easier navigation and more efficient travel through the island