Mahogany Bay (Isla Tropicale), Roatán: cruise port, beach and chairlift

Where is Mahogany Bay in Roatán?

Mahogany Bay lies at Dixon Cove on the south coast of Roatán, about 3 miles east of the island's main town, Coxen Hole, and a short drive from the airport. It is one of the island's two cruise terminals; the other, Roatán Town Center, is in Coxen Hole itself. Our Roatán cruise port guide compares the two and explains which lines use each.

Carnival Corporation opened the port in 2009 on about 20 acres of waterfront and says it has invested $93 million in it since. In April 2025 Carnival announced that it would rename the port Isla Tropicale, grouping it with its other exclusive cruise destinations, and the new name and a new pool area were unveiled in May 2026. Princess and Holland America, sister brands that also call here, still list their excursions under Mahogany Bay.

What is inside the cruise terminal

Ships berth at two piers, which can take Carnival's largest Excel- and Vista-class ships. From the pier you walk through a duty-free store and along a raised walkway to the welcome plaza, which has information desks, restrooms and the excursion meeting points.

According to Carnival, the complex has 52 shops, local artisan kiosks, three restaurants and four bars. Most stores are the jewelry, duty-free, souvenir and T-shirt brands found in many Caribbean ports, so for local crafts, Honduran coffee or cigars it is worth comparing with the artisan stalls. The port is largely step-free, with ramps and smooth walkways, although the chairlift itself is not wheelchair accessible.

Mahogany Beach and the chairlift

Mahogany Beach is the port's own beach, an 825-foot strip of white sand with an enclosed swimming area watched by lifeguards. It earned Honduras Blue Flag certification in 2024 and 2025. Beach chairs and hammocks are provided, and kayaks, snorkeling gear and floats can be rented; if you snorkel, use reef-safe sunscreen and never touch or stand on coral.

The chairlift, which Carnival calls the Magical Flying Beach Chair, glides above the trees from the plaza to the beach in about six minutes. Carnival sells it as an all-day pass with unlimited rides, at roughly $18 for adults and $11 for children 12 and under at the time of writing; riders must be at least 32 inches tall and weigh no more than 300 lb. You do not need it: a walkway connects the plaza with the beach in a few minutes on foot.

Cabanas and beach packages are sold through the cruise line and include chairlift passes; a standard cabana includes four.

Isla Tropicale: the new name and the Mangrove Bay pool

Isla Tropicale is the same port under a new name, not a separate destination. Its Mangrove Bay pool area opened on May 20, 2026 and adds about 48,000 square feet of space: a main pool with a swim-up bar, a splash pad for children and a peninsula of rentable cabanas and daybeds. It is the first pool the port has had, and it gives families an alternative to the sea on rough or crowded days.

Carnival had not published clear details on whether general pool access is included for every passenger at the time of writing, so check the Isla Tropicale section of your cruise planner before you sail. Cabana and daybed prices vary by sailing date, and the best spots sell out on busy days.

What is free and what costs extra

Walking around the port, using the beach and swimming are included. You pay for the chairlift, cabanas and daybeds, water-sports rentals, food and drinks, and the port's Wi-Fi, which is not free. Prices are in US dollars; small bills help with tips and taxis.

Inside the gates everything is priced for cruise passengers. If you would rather spend the money elsewhere, a taxi to West Bay or West End gives you a longer beach, local restaurants and beach clubs with day passes, at the cost of travel time and the responsibility for getting back.

Leaving the port: taxis and tours

Taxis wait at the regulated stand in the transportation area at the exit; the drivers belong to the port's taxi association. They are not metered, so agree the fare before you get in and confirm whether it is per person or for the car. The ride takes about 10 minutes to Coxen Hole and roughly 30-45 minutes to West Bay, longer when several ships are in.

Independent tour operators meet their guests at the exit too, with a sign; choose one that picks up at Mahogany Bay rather than Coxen Hole, and plan to be back at least an hour before all-aboard. Popular half-day options from here are reef snorkeling, sloth and monkey parks and ziplines in the east of the island; see Roatán excursions, snorkeling and diving tours and the nearby cays of Little French Key and Maya Key.

Mahogany Bay weather

Expect highs of 79-84 °F (26-29 °C) all year and sea temperatures of 81-86 °F (27-30 °C). March to May is the driest period, while October to January brings the most rain, peaking in October and November. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, and strong winds can occasionally make a ship skip the call. See Roatán weather and the best time to visit.