Snorkelling in Roatan, Honduras – by Beach, Boat, or Tour
Excited to snorkel in Roatan, but don’t know where to start?
Roatan is one of the best places to snorkel in the Caribbean. Calm, clear waters and the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef system, the second-largest barrier reef in the world, surrounds the island!
As someone who lived on the island and guided snorkel tours across Roatán, I’ve spent countless hours exploring these reefs with guests of all skill levels. From West Bay’s coral gardens to the lesser-visited sites on the East End!
In this guide, I will share what I learned living and working in the Bay Islands: the best places to snorkel, how to access them, what you’ll see, and how to respect and enjoy the marine life.
Does Roatan have Good Snorkelling?
Yes! Roatan has excellent snorkelling. There are plenty of corals, rock formations, and fish to see, even from the surface. The best part? The reef is very close to shore, so you don’t have to swim far to enjoy the beautiful ocean life!
The water in Roatan is generally calm. Currents, swells, and undertows are extremely rare. The beaches are sandy, which makes entering and exiting easy!
Visibility in Roatan is beautiful. It is common to see 20-40m, so you will have no problem enjoying all the wildlife! Not to mention the water is beautifully warm.
Most snorkel sites are in the western part of the island and the Roatan Marine Park, which works hard to keep the reefs healthy and active. Make sure to visit their store and support them during your stay!
How to Snorkel in Roatan from the Beach
Photo: Shev
Roatan has great access to beach snorkelling. The reefs are quite shallow, so there is lots to see even if you want to stick close to shore. It’s the easiest and most affordable way to enjoy Roatan’s reefs, but there are some things you need to know:
To snorkel from the beach, you need to:
- Be comfortable in the water. You CANNOT stand on corals
- Have your own equipment, or know where to rent
- Know where to go!
- Stay away from boat traffic. Stay inside swim zones, or wear a snorkelling buoy
- Wear reef-safe sun protection. I use these rashguards or this sunscreen.
Beach snorkelling in Roatan is a great way to spend a beach day, especially if you are with family or friends who don’t want to join you. Just make sure you stay close to shore and away from the boats!
Best Places to Snorkel from the Beach in Roatan
West Bay Snorkelling
Particularly the area in front of the Kimpton Grand Hotel is the best and easiest shore snorkelling in Roatan. The beach ends at the Kimpton with a rock wall, which allows for life to grow and hide in the crevices. You can just swim along the rocks and find all kinds of fun sea life!
West End Snorkelling
Half Moon Bay is a great snorkel spot in West End, but you need to be very careful of boats. There are many dive shops coming and going on their excursions.
But Half Moon Bay always has lots of people on the beach and in the water, so boat drivers are alert and cautious.
Sandy Bay Snorkelling
If you are staying in Sandy Bay somewhere like Puerta Azul, you can have great snorkelling right off the dock.
You have to swim pretty far to get to the reef, so only go if you’re confident and have a swimming buoy.
Best Snorkel Sites in Roatan from Boat
Photo: Deep Photos
If you want to go a little further, or make a day of it you can go out on a boat to snorkel!
These are different from guided tours, because you can go out with a local with a panga, or join a dive shop and snorkel from their boat. It’s a great way to get off-shore, without doing a full day excursion or paying for a tour.
Great snorkel sites by boat in the West Bay and West end:
Blue Channel
A very popular dive & snorkel site. The reef parts into a channel creating a sheltered area for ocean life to evade predation, mate, and raise their young.
There are many cracks in the reef here where fish can hide, including the silversides that come every summer. One of my favourite reef fish to see in Roatan!
Temptation – Best for Eagle Rays!
The buoy at Temptation is in a big sand patch where the eagle rays come to feed and warm up in the sun. I watched a ray here for more than 15 minutes just glide around and dig up the sand.
Aquario
A very popular snorkel site. Here is where you will see new divers doing their skill tests, big snorkel tours, and the scuba scooters.
I love Aquario because it has so much life and the sand/coral contrast is amazing. BUT a lot of the tours feed the fish, which is very harmful to the fish and the reef ecosystem. So be careful which operator you go with here.
Overheat Reef (Sandy Bay)
Also one of my favourite Roatan dive sites, Overheat Reef is a shallow reef with tons of different kinds of fish and corals. We often see turtles here as well!
Best Guided Snorkel Tours in Roatan
Even if you shore snorkel, I recommend taking a guided snorkel tour in Roatan. You will get to adventure to more remote parts of the island and see way more variety than you will get on your own.
A Roatan snorkel tour is also the perfect excursion for cruise travellers.
My absolute favourite tour and best snorkelling in Roatan is to Pigeon Cay on the East End. It’s a full-day commitment, but absolutely worth it to snorkel with nurse sharks, rays, and stunning reefs!
Where to Rent Snorkel Equipment
Photo: Shev
If you snorkel from a boat or take a tour, your operator will provide snorkel equipment. HOWEVER, it will probably not be good. Expect cheap masks, leaky snorkels, and small plastic fins.
This is because the snorkel tours are run by locals who don’t have the money to buy nice equipment, and it’s difficult to get things on the island.
For the best experience, I strongly recommend buying a mask and snorkel. If you are a good swimmer, you don’t really need fins, as the sites are so close.
From the beach, you can rent snorkel gear from beach vendors or dive shops in West Bay. But again, it will be low quality.
Masks
Get a mask with a tempered glass lens. These are better for seeing, less fog, and not as breakable. You can also use it for diving if you decide to do that!
I recommend these ones. But if you can go into a dive shop, even better as they will fit you for a mask properly.
- Oceanic Shadow (the mask I used to guide snorkel & diving for 5 years)
- Scuba Pro Trinidad 3 (many of my dive friends use this)
- Cressi F1 (my newest mask)
For a snorkel, you can get one with a wave guard that doesn’t let water in from the top. But if you are a good swimmer & want to do some apnea, get a free-diving snorkel. They are so much lighter and foldable for travel!
Safety Note: Do NOT get a full-face snorkel mask. They are very dangerous, especially the cheaper ones. Just get a mask and snorkel.
Fins
If you want your own, go for the Scuba Pro Go travel fins. They are great for snorkelling, and can be used diving in Roatan too.
What Do You See Snorkelling in Roatan?
Photo: Shev
Everyone says the reefs are “teeming with life”, but what does that actually mean?
Corals and algae rely on photosynthesis, so the best reef life is in shallow waters. That’s why snorkelling is so great in Roatan! You can see:
- Turtles (green and hawksbill)
- Eagle Rays & Southern Sting Rays
- Parrotfish (more than 20 kinds!)
- Angel fish (French, Emperor, and Queen are most common)
- Trumpetfish
- Filefish
- Soft & Hard corals
And so much more! Check out the Caribbean Reef Life Guide by local photographer Mickey. His site is amazing and interactive. You can also buy his book on Amazon or most dive shops and the Marine Park store in Roatan!
Is it Safe to Snorkel in Roatan?
Yes! The water in Roatan is perfect for snorkelling. Roatan has no riptides or undertows, and currents are not common.
There are two things to be cautious of in Roatan while snorkelling:
- Boat Traffic
If snorkelling along the beach, be sure to stay within the buoy line.
When snorkelling from a boat or outside the buoy lines, use a personal flotation device or a swimming buoy. There are a lot of boats and jet skis, so be vigilant when in the water!
- Aquatic Life
The ocean is full of life! And some of it can cause irritation to humans. When snorkelling in Roatan never tough anything, not even if you think it’s a rock. There are venomous scorpion fish, stinging corals, and sometimes jellyfish in the water. Be respectful of the environment!
Shev’s Tips for Snorkelling Responsibly
Photo: Deep Photos
Don’t Touch or Stand on the Reef
Even a light touch can damage coral or kill it. Many corals also sting, and standing on the reef can cause serious cuts. Always float above the reef and keep your fins up and behind you.
Practice Controlled Swimming
Be mindful of your hand and fin movements. Slow, controlled movements prevent accidental contact with coral, rocks, and sand.
Use Reef-Safe Sunscreen (or Skip It Altogether)
Avoid sunscreens with oxybenzone and octinoxate, which damage coral. The best option in Roatán is a rashguard or long-sleeve swim shirt to limit sunscreen use altogether.
I love rash guards and sunshirfts from Waterlust & Spacefish Army. I only use sunscreen from Stream2Sea, which has been proven not to harm the reef. They even have a sunscreen that provides nutrients to the reef!
Go at Different Times of Day
Different life is active at different times of day, for the best snorkelling in Roatan experience make sure you go early in the morning, midday, evening/dusk, and at night!
Night snorkelling in Half Moon Bay is really fun. You will need a waterproof flashlight though! I use this one for scuba and snorkel.
Shev’s Summary – Is Snorkelling in Roatan Worth It?
Yes! Roatán is more than good snorkeling, it’s memorable snorkelling. The close reef access, variety of marine life, and options for both shore and boat experiences make it one of the Caribbean’s standout destinations for every kind of snorkeller.
Whether you’re planning a quick cruise-ship visit or a longer dive/snorkel vacation, snorkelling in Roatán isn’t just worth it; it might be the highlight of your trip!
FAQ About Roatan Snorkelling
Is Snorkelling Good for Beginners?
Yes! Snorkelling in Roatan is great for beginners, especially in West Bay. The bottom is sandy and a gradual slope into the water, so its not scary for new swimmers.
Do I Need Fins?
No – but they’re recommended
You don’t need fins (or flippers) to snorkel in Roatan, but I recommend them if you are snorkelling from boat or far from shore.
Are There Sharks?
Rarely – Since Roatan Shark Dive began feeding sharks for tourists, there have been very few sightings in West Bay and West End. SO if you see one, you are very lucky!
Roatan has mostly nurse sharks and black-tip reef sharks. They are not a danger to humans.
Can I snorkel from the cruise port?
Yes! You can take a snorkel tour from the cruise dock in Mahogany Bay or Flowers Bay. Here are some I recommend.
