The Best Places to Stay in Roatan for Beaches, Diving and Relaxation
By Carles Barcelo. Updated January 2026
An island fantasy, Roatan is a spectacular Caribbean paradise just off the north coast of Honduras that sits upon an exposed coral reef, second in size only to the Great Barrier Reef. This long, thin island is the largest and most developed of the Bay Islands.
Pristine powdery white sand and a gleaming turquoise sea encircles a mountainous interior carpeted in lush jungle and tropical foliage. For some background on the island’s native culture you can visit Punta Gorda, a good example of a traditional village, or take a guided tour at Oak Ridge or Port Royal where you will learn about the pirates that once took up residence here.
The best places to stay on Roatan are stretched across the north and north western coast. If you are looking for a place to stay that combines beaches, leisure activities and fun nights out then head to West End. For something quieter but not far from the action, West Bay is a good place to stay and boasts the best sunsets on the island, incredible beaches and diving. Chilled out Sandy Bay is relatively uncrowded and offers beach lovers and divers an ideal place to stay amid gorgeous undulating scenery. If you are interested in where to stay in Roatan, you may also be interested in where to stay in Belize, where to stay in Costa Rica, where to stay in Jamaica, where to stay in Nicaragua and where to stay in Panama.
On the map, which shows the most convenient area to stay in Roatan, you can see a selection of some of the best located hotels.
Practical information for visiting Roatan
- Country: Honduras
- Currency: Honduran Lempira (HNL), but USD widely accepted
- Language: Spanish (English spoken in tourist areas)
- Safety: Generally safe for tourists, but take standard precautions
- Best time to visit: December to April (dry season) for optimal weather and diving
- Getting there: Roatan International Airport (RTB), with flights from the US and regional hubs
Where to stay in Roatan: quick overview
- Nightlife & Diving - West End → vibrant beaches, bars and reef diving
- Relaxed Beaches - West Bay → family-friendly sunsets and snorkelling
- Quiet Diving - Sandy Bay → secluded shores and eco-adventures
- Related destinations: Belize, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Panama
- Best all-round base: West End (beach access + activities + nightlife)
The best beach and diving areas
West End (10 miles / 16 km from Roatan Airport)
Nightlife / Restaurants / Diving
West End is located in the northwest of the island around Half Moon Bay, approximately 10 miles (16 km) from Roatan International Airport. It has one of the best beaches on the island, a long curve of sun-drenched golden sand backed by palm trees, places to stay, bars and restaurants.
The diving and snorkelling is second to none here, with a mesmerising coral reef sitting just off the shore, part of the UNESCO-protected Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. You can rent diving and snorkelling equipment from one of the many dive shops in the town and swim out to the reef to search for tropical fish, sting rays and sea turtles. There are diving opportunities further out where you can witness whale sharks during migration season (March-May), dolphins and reef sharks.
West End is one of the island’s liveliest hubs with restaurants, bars, shops where you can pick up Honduran souvenirs and places to stay that suit different budgets. Roatan is known for its deep sea fishing, so you can try Roatan Island cuisine such as baleadas, pastilles, conch and other seafood specialities at many of the restaurants in West End.
There are numerous companies in town where you can hire a scooter to go off and see other parts of the island such as nearby West Bay, Flower Bay, Coxen Hole and Sandy Bay. Alternatively, you can try horse riding and canter along secluded beaches or explore jungle trails that lead up to hilltops for breathtaking panoramic views of the island and coral reefs below. Nearby in Roatan’s verdant jungle interior you can try zip-lining and canopy tour adventures, contributing to the island’s growing eco-tourism scene.
West End is also one of the best areas on the island to admire the psychedelic sunsets and once the sun has set, there are many bars and live music venues with happy hours, local bands and DJs who keep things pumping into the early hours.
West Bay (12 miles / 19 km from Roatan Airport)
Relax on the beach / Diving / Snorkelling
West Bay is West End’s more sedate, easy going sister located just west of West End and about 12 miles (19 km) from the Roatan International Airport. It is a more family friendly and laid-back place to stay and invites its visitors to hang loose and enjoy a combination of beach time, snorkelling and swimming.
It has some of the best beaches on the island with typically Caribbean pearly white sand and calm azure waters that are crying out for beach bums to kick back and while the time away. The shallow water gives way to the island’s thrilling coral reef where you can dive down to spot tropical fish, sting rays and sea turtles, most notably around Tabyana Beach. There is a multitude of companies that offer scuba diving, fishing charters, snorkelling and parasailing directly from the beach front.
Although it is quieter than West End, there is a good assortment of restaurants and places to stay and it is less than a 10-minute drive from the nightlife of West End should you wish to dip your toe into the action. You can also reach West End by taking a water taxi directly from the beach which takes about 10 minutes.
Known for its deep sea fishing, you can savour traditional dishes made from freshly caught seafood, or start the day with an adrenaline inducing Honduran coffee. West Bay is Roatan’s best spot for hypnotic sunset vistas and there are many places along the waterfront where you can sip a tropical drink against a stunning backdrop.
Sandy Bay (15 miles / 24 km from Roatan Airport)
Diving / Fishing / Local Life
Sandy Bay is a very relaxed place to stay spanning part of the north western shore of Roatan about 15 miles (24 km) from Roatan International Airport. It is made up of a beautiful series of long honey-hued beaches lapped by milky-blue water, speckled with resorts and palm trees. There are many dive operators in the area and it is only a short swim off the coast to reach the island’s famous coral reef where you can go snorkelling to discover an underwater teeming with vibrant tropical marine life. Further out there are spellbinding diving opportunities, including night dives to see bioluminescent creatures.
You can go kayaking and windsurfing or hike to the Carambola Gardens where amongst the jungle you can spot local wildlife that includes monkeys, flowering and medicinal plants and exotic spices. You can also take in the sensational colours of a Roatan sunset by going on a sunset cruise. Back on dry land, there is a good selection of restaurants serving traditional dishes such as baleadas, pastilles, conch and other seafood specialities and bars where you can try locally caught seafood and tropical cocktails.
Related Destinations
If you are planning a longer trip in the region, you may also enjoy Belize for its barrier reef and Mayan ruins, Costa Rica for eco-adventures and wildlife, Jamaica for reggae culture and waterfalls, or Panama for the canal and beaches.
Our recommended hotels in Roatan
Use the interactive map to navigate through our recommended hotels in RoatanNote: Hotel prices can change daily due to promotions, seasons, and demand. Our $ - $$$$ scale shows the overall cost range rather than exact prices.
