The Roatán ferry is the cheapest way to reach the island from mainland Honduras and the easiest way to hop over to Utila. Two companies sail from the same harbor at Dixon Cove: Galaxy Wave to La Ceiba, and Dream Ferries to La Ceiba, Utila and Guanaja. Below are their terminals, the published sailing times, fares, and how to survive a crossing that can be rough.
Both operators leave from Dixon Cove on the south shore, between Coxen Hole and French Harbour, about 10 minutes by taxi from the airport and roughly 30 minutes from West End or West Bay. Galaxy Wave and Dream Ferries each have their own terminal building there, with ticket windows. Most people arrive by taxi; agree the fare first.
On the mainland, both companies sail from the Muelle de Cabotaje area, the municipal dock in the east of La Ceiba, signposted from the main road. La Ceiba's Golosón airport and the intercity bus stations are a taxi ride away, so allow time for traffic if you are connecting from a flight or a bus from San Pedro Sula.
Galaxy Wave, run by Safe Way Maritime, is the long-established operator, with two large catamarans, the Galaxy Wave and the Tropical Wave. Its published timetable has two daily sailings each way: from La Ceiba at 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., and from Roatán at 7:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. The operator gives a crossing time of about 1 h 10 min for the Galaxy Wave in good conditions; allow up to 1 h 30 min.
Galaxy Wave publishes its fares in US dollars. At the time of writing, La Ceiba to Roatán costs $31 in regular class and $35 in first class for an adult, Roatán to La Ceiba $30 and $31, and round trips $51 and $69; children aged 5–10 pay less and infants under 5 travel free. Regular class is an air-conditioned lower deck with outdoor seats at the back; first class is a smaller upper cabin with a drink and a snack. Each passenger can check up to three bags of up to 50 lb each.
Dream Ferries (Utila Ferry LLC) also runs the route with the Roatan Dream. Its own timetable lists departures from La Ceiba at 9:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., and from Roatán at 6:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., with a crossing of about 1 h 30 min. Fares are shown when you book on its website.
Dream Ferries' Utila Dream is the only direct boat between the two islands. Its published schedule has one sailing a day in each direction: Utila to Roatán at 10:20 a.m. and Roatán to Utila at 2:00 p.m., each taking about an hour. Other options go via La Ceiba and take three to four hours. In Utila the boat docks at the municipal pier on Main Street, a short walk from most dive shops and guesthouses.
The timing does not allow a comfortable day trip from Roatán, so most people stay at least two nights on Utila. Cruise passengers who want to see the neighboring island are better off with an organized tour by private boat, which returns in time for the ship; see our cruise port guide for timing. Dream Ferries also sails from Roatán to Guanaja on some days of the week; Galaxy Wave covers Guanaja on Fridays and Saturdays.
Both companies sell tickets on their own websites (roatanferry.com for Galaxy Wave, hondurasferry.com for Dream Ferries) and at the terminal. Galaxy Wave asks passengers to check in at least one hour before departure with their passport and booking reference, or risk losing their seat. Large bags are checked and tagged at the terminal and returned on arrival; keep your tag.
Sailings can be cancelled when the sea is too rough, for example during strong winter cold fronts or when a storm is nearby in hurricane season (see Roatán weather and hurricane season), and both timetables change from time to time. Always check the operator's website, app or phone line the day before you travel. Around Easter and Christmas, when Hondurans head to the islands, extra sailings are added but tickets still sell out: book ahead.
The crossing to La Ceiba runs through open water, and when the wind is up the catamarans pitch and roll enough to make many passengers ill. If you are prone to seasickness, take tablets about an hour before departure, eat something light, sit low and in the middle of the boat or outside at the back where there is fresh air, and look at the horizon rather than your phone. The Utila crossing is shorter but can also be choppy.
Cabins are air-conditioned and can feel cold, so bring a sweater. Keep passports, phones and medicines in your hand luggage. If you are short on time or the forecast looks bad, flying is an alternative: domestic airlines link Roatán with La Ceiba in a short hop, covered in our airport guide.
About 1 h 10 min to 1 h 30 min, depending on the boat and the sea. Galaxy Wave and Dream Ferries both sail twice a day in each direction.
Galaxy Wave publishes adult fares of $31 in regular class and $35 in first class from La Ceiba to Roatán. Check the operator's site for current prices.
Yes. The Utila Dream sails directly once a day in each direction, from Roatán at 2:00 p.m. and from Utila at 10:20 a.m., in about an hour.
From Dixon Cove on the south shore, between Coxen Hole and French Harbour, about 10 minutes by taxi from the airport.
It can be, especially on the open-water crossing to La Ceiba when the wind is strong. Take seasickness tablets before boarding and sit low in the middle of the boat.
Suits small and large groups wanting a door-to-door ride with no sharing. Flight and cruise tracking is included, and vehicles seat up to 14 passengers.
from ~$36 per person
Check availabilityvia Viator
Handy for travelers needing a ride from the ferry, airport, lodging or cruise port to their destination. All drivers are bilingual.
from ~$101 per person
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Good for groups of any size, from couples to 28 people, needing a ride from the airport or ferry to a rental or hotel. The driver meets you after customs; a grocery stop can be requested.
from ~$31 per person
Check availabilityvia Viator
Prices are indicative and may change. The final price is shown by the booking platform. Prices checked: October 29, 2026.
