About This Trip
- Stay in over-the-water cabanas on a private peninsula of Roatan in Honduras' Bay Islands.
- Enjoy shallow water access to an incredible coral reef wall less than 100 yards from your room.
- Our daily activities include beach snorkeling along the protected house reef, boat snorkeling excursions, and night snorkeling opportunities.
- Our small group sizes and expert naturalists facilitate a memorable travel experience.
Located approximately 30 miles from mainland Honduras, the Bay Islands consist of Roatan, Utila, Guanaja, three smaller islands, and nearly 60 smaller islets and cayes. Roatan is the largest of the islands at roughly 40 miles long, and is characterized by its hilly topography and verdant scenery. But what it is best known for lies below the surface—gorgeous coral reefs that are among the nicest in the Caribbean, combined with frequently excellent ocean conditions that are perfectly suited for snorkeling and scuba diving.
Our week long Honduras snorkeling trips offer full immersion into Roatan's renowned reefs, with daily forays into the water led by one of our expert naturalists. Guests stay in over-the-water cabins at a secluded retreat on Roatan, offering beautiful views, seaside relaxation, and the best snorkeling access on the island. Less than 100 yards from your cabana lies an incredible coral reef wall that is easily accessed from shore and ideal for snorkeling; the top of the wall is within 5 feet of the surface in most areas and is thickly covered with lettuce, staghorn, and elkhorn corals.
The Roatan barrier reef is part of the Mesoamerican Reef System, one of the most complex and varied reef systems in the Caribbean, with huge barrel sponges, gigantic gorgonians, profuse fish life, eagle rays, and myriad invertebrates. The reefs of Roatan are ideal for snorkeling, and in some places the upper surface of the reef is so close to the sea surface that it is virtually impossible to swim over it.
Daily activities on our trip include beach snorkeling, boat snorkeling excursions, and bird watching. Scuba diving is also available for certified divers. Your naturalist will help identify the many different fish and coral species and explain the ecology of the reef, as well as the natural and maritime history of the island. Read our trip leader's report from a past Honduras snorkeling trip for more insight:
- Snorkeling in Honduras' Bay Islands: Expedition Report by Samantha Whitcraft
"An underwater dream for anyone who loves finding weird and wonderful creatures!" - Linda, past Honduras traveler
"The atmosphere at CoCo View is low-key and comfortable. I felt right at home. Come prepared to relax and enjoy yourself!" - Debbie, past Honduras traveler
Notes on Trip Costs
Trip prices do not include international airfare. Limited single supplement available at $525. Click here for our full expedition terms and conditions.
Conservation Impact
Established in 1969, Oceanic Society stands as the oldest nonprofit organization in America committed to ocean conservation. We are trailblazers in the realm of "eco travel," crafting expeditions that not only align with our charitable mission but also actively support marine research and conservation efforts globally. Moreover, with every booking made, we take pride in sponsoring the removal of 200 lbs. of plastic waste from the ocean. Dive deeper into our innovative travel approach here.
Dates & Prices
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival to Roatan. Guests are met at the airport and transferred to CoCo View Resort, , located on its own private peninsula. Home to the world's second largest barrier reef, Roatan, Honduras is justifiably one of the best snorkeling destinations in the Caribbean. We spend seven nights in comfortable double occupancy oceanfront cabanas. We will have a welcome dinner later this evening, as well as a briefing that goes over the trip's activities.
Day 2: Snorkeling. We will start out the day by snorkeling the waters right in front of our hotel. Excellent snorkeling begins less than one hundred yards from the beachfront. The house reef, or "Front Yard," is a well protected and vibrant reef that is easily accessible from the beach in front of our cabanas. We will go on a vessel-based snorkeling excursion to one of our sites after lunch.
Day 3: Snorkeling. We will use the morning to snorkel by boat to some of Roatán's other beautiful snorkeling sites. Here you may see giant barrel sponges that are home to crabs and shrimp who will poke their heads out to feed. We will also do afternoon beach snorkeling among fields of elkhorn coral, and get to see colorful fish that dart among the elkhorn's elegant branches.
Day 4: Snorkeling. We will begin the day with a morning beach snorkel. Following lunch, we will do an afternoon boat snorkel at another site. You will get to see an ensemble of gorgonians, lettuce coral, brain coral, file fish, sea horses, green moray eels, French angelfish, spotted eagle rays and possibly even some hawkbill and green sea turtles. We will also go on a night snorkel this evening (weather permitting). Using your flashlights, you will see a whole different side of the reef, as you can sneak up on fish as they sleep and drift with the waves.
Day 5: Snorkeling at the West End. Today the group will go out on their boat for a program to the West End area of the island. There will be stops for snorkeling at new sites at West End. A box lunch will be provided on board and then the group will have some opportunity to explore the shops at West End. You will return by boat to the resort.
Day 6: Island Excursion. We will explore the large island of Roatán by private van. As we drive by the coastline, we will pass by several fishing villages. Stops include a visit to an iguana rehabilitation center, a butterfly center, and other areas of interest. Lunch is included, and there will be some opportunities to stroll through the mountainous towns to do some shopping.
Day 7: Snorkel. Our last day will start with a morning boat snorkel. Here you will see a lush garden of hard corals, sponges, and gorgonians. See if you can find a queen angelfish or a pair of four-eyed butterfly fish who stay mates for life. We will also do a relaxing beach snorkel after lunch, and depart with a farewell dinner in the evening.
Day 8: Departure. Transfer back to Roatan City for your flight home.
Note: this is a sample itinerary for a typical Oceanic Society Honduras Bay Islands snorkeling trip. Weather and other conditions may necessitate changes to the exact order of events and/or substitutions to the outlined excursions.
Accommodations
CoCo View Resort
Our base for this expedition is the comfortable CoCo View Resort, which has catered to snorkelers and scuba divers since 1982. Located on a private peninsula of Roatan Island, CoCo View offers double occupancy, over-the-water cabanas, each with private bath, air-conditioning, WiFi, and other conveniences, plus your own private porch to enjoy sunrises and sunsets, ocean breezes, or your morning coffee. Best of all, the cabanas sit just 100 yards from a beautiful coral reef wall whose top is within 5 feet of the surface in most areas and is thickly covered with corals. Keep your eyes peeled for the resident green moray eel, or take in the action at one of its cleaning stations where you can watch a variety of marine life come and go.
Naturalist(s)
Your expedition will be led by one or more of the following expert naturalist guides:
