West Bay, Roatán: the beach, the reef and the crowds

Where West Bay is and how to get there

West Bay lies at the western tip of Roatán, about 2 miles (3 km) south of the village of West End. A single road runs behind the beach past resorts, condos, restaurants and the small West Bay Mall, and Gumbalimba Park sits just inland.

From the cruise terminals a taxi takes about 20-30 minutes from Town Center in Coxen Hole and 30-45 minutes from Mahogany Bay (Isla Tropicale), longer when several ships are in. Taxis are not metered, so agree the fare, and whether it is per person or per car, before you get in. The cruise port guide explains both terminals.

From West End, water taxis run along the coast in daylight and take about 10 minutes; fares are usually around $3-5 per person each way. The boats generally stop after dark and in rough weather, when a road taxi, about 10 minutes, is the alternative.

West Bay Beach: sand, water and facilities

West Bay Beach is a long curve of white sand facing west, with calm, clear water protected by the reef just offshore. It is the beach most cruise excursions use and the one most visitors picture when they think of Roatán, which also makes it the busiest.

The sand is open to everyone and free, but almost everything on it belongs to a resort or restaurant: loungers, umbrellas, toilets and showers. There are no public toilets or showers and no lifeguards. The usual arrangement is to use a restaurant's loungers in exchange for buying food and drinks, or to pay for a resort day pass; terms differ from place to place and between quiet days and ship days, so ask before you sit down.

Resorts such as Infinity Bay sell day passes, mostly through tour sellers, which typically include loungers, pool access, Wi-Fi, restrooms and showers. Tabyana Beach is a beach club on the same sand that caters mainly to cruise groups. Booths along the beach rent kayaks and paddleboards and sell jet ski rides, glass-bottom boat trips and parasailing.

Snorkeling off West Bay Beach

The reef is the main reason to come. The first coral heads appear about 10 yards (9 m) from the sand in 4-9 ft (1-3 m) of water, and the reef edge lies roughly 100-200 yards out, closest to shore in the southern part of the bay, where it drops to about 30 ft (10 m). Expect parrotfish, blue tangs, angelfish and sergeant majors, and with luck a turtle or a stingray near the West End Wall at the southern end.

Snorkel only in the southern part of the bay and in buoyed swimming areas. North of the main jetty, water taxis, dive boats and jet skis run all day, and boat traffic is the biggest risk here; a brightly colored rash guard or a snorkel buoy helps boat drivers see you. Two easy entry points are in front of the Kimpton Grand Roatán, where buoys mark a route, and beside the jetty in front of Infinity Bay.

The reef lies within the Bay Islands National Marine Park and is patrolled by the nonprofit Roatán Marine Park. Do not stand on or touch coral, wear reef-safe sunscreen (the park campaigns against oxybenzone and five other filters), and consider its voluntary $10 reef fee, paid at the park's West End store or at partner dive shops in return for a bracelet. For guided trips by boat, see snorkeling and diving tours.

Cruise days: crowds and timing

When several ships are in port, West Bay becomes the busiest place on the island. During the Christmas season of 2025, local authorities reported more than 30,000 visitors arriving on five cruise ships in a single day, and West Bay is the default beach for many of them. Excursion groups usually arrive in the late morning and leave by mid-afternoon to make their ships, so the early morning and the hours before sunset are far calmer.

If you are staying on the island, check the port schedule before planning a beach day, and on busy days try Half Moon Bay in West End or a drive to the quieter east end. If you arrive by ship, go early, head for the southern end for snorkeling and leave at least an hour's buffer for the taxi back. Our guide to Roatán's beaches compares the alternatives.

Sand flies, sun and weather

Sand flies are tiny biting midges that live in the sand. You rarely feel the bite, but it can itch for days. They are usually worst on still days and early and late in the day, and much less of a problem when the wind blows. Many resorts rake their beach, which helps; a repellent with DEET or picaridin, reapplied after swimming, and sitting on a lounger rather than on the sand are the most practical defenses.

The sun is strong all year, with average highs of 79-84 °F (26-29 °C) and sea temperatures of about 81-86 °F (27-30 °C), so bring a hat and find shade at midday. Rain is most likely from October to January; see weather and the best time to visit.

Hotels and staying in West Bay Roatán

West Bay is the island's resort strip. Infinity Bay Spa & Beach Resort has an oceanfront infinity pool and its own dive shop, the Kimpton Grand Roatán sits near the southern end, and Mayan Princess, Henry Morgan, Foster's and Bananarama are among the other names along the sand, together with condos, villas and smaller hotels on the road behind the beach.

Staying here means walking straight from your room onto the sand and snorkeling before the cruise crowds arrive, and the evenings are quiet. The trade-offs are higher prices than in West End, eating out mostly in hotel restaurants and a handful of independent places, and a water taxi or taxi whenever you want nightlife. Compare the options in where to stay in Roatán and where to eat.