Tours and Excursions in West End - West Bay on Roatan in Honduras

Sea Kayaking

Sea Kayaks are available for rent by the hour or day at Cannibal Café in West End and at Tabyana Beach Resort at West Bay.

Scuba Diving

For those interested in diving, there are several outfits in West End and West Bay. Two are authorized PADI centers: Ocean Connections, & Pura Vida, in West End, and are therefore the most reputable. Other good options are Sueño del Mar Divers, West End Divers and Las Rocas, this last two in West Bay.

Horse Back Riding

There are several options for great horseback riding in the area. For those staying in the West End area, Rancho Barrio Dorcas offers the best option by far. They offer both beach and jungle horseback riding tours, and visit the mangroves and ironshore. They even hava a night tour once a month where you will enjoy the full moon while riding your horse. Other options are available at Gumbalimba Park in West Bay Beach and Keifito's Plantation Retreat, located half way between West End and West Bay. Options include riding on the beach or following trails up into the mountains behind the communities.

Glass Bottom Boats and Tours

There are two different boats operating tours allowing you to discover and enjoy the underwater scenery. Although none of them is actually a submarine, they both offer a unique experience.

1.- Underwater Paradise. 10:00 and 11:00 a.m and at 2:00 p.m. Departures are across the street from Coconut Tree Cabins, in Half Moon Bay. You actually will be seating 7 feet under the water in this unique air-conditioned boat. The regular price per person is $20.00 per adult and $ 10.00 per child under 12. Group discounts apply. Ask at the Coconut Tree Cabins!

2.- Coral Reef Explorer. Operates out of West Bay Beach. Passengers sit below the water line and enjoy a unique view of the reef. Tours lasts about one hour and is narrated by a multilingual guide who is a local reef expert. Departures are at 11:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. daily except on Mondays. Private departures can be arranged. Cost per passenger is $20.00 USA per adults; children under 12 $15.00 per person and very small children are free.

Island Tours

Averyl's Adventures, located at Libreria Casi Todo offers Island tours that will take you to many of the different communities in the island, including the Garifuna Village of Punta Gorda. Stop by at Casi Todo and find out about this and the other tours that are available. Bay Island Expeditions offers an island tour that includes visiting Roatan's Iguana Farm, the Garifuna communities on the Island and a boat ride through the mangroves in the Oakridge area.

Fishing Trips

Millers Fish Charters at West End offers trolling and bottom fishing. Charters are available from 2 hours to full day for approximately $60.00 US an hour. Reserve in advance. Fishing options include Barracuda and tuna all year round, plus Wahoo and Dorado from September to February.

Motorcycle and Scooter Rentals

A great way to get around to all the wonderful places on the island, is by scooter or motorcycle. The riding around the island is superb, and will allow you to discover many of the "hidden" secret places. The paved road that leads from West End to Oakridge offers scenic views of both sides of the island, and many places of interest. If you are bicycling, the hills on the main road are not very steep and will allow you to travel with ease. Captain Van's Rentals offers new model, top name brand Yamaha scooters, Honda dual sport motorcycles and Schwinn mountain bikes. Make sure and stop by early and make a reservation, as there are days when they are very busy! Look for Captain Van's Rentals in West End village at Half Moon Bay. Rates are reasonable, with some great savings on long term rentals, and their reputation for well-maintained equipment is likely the reason they have been in business for 7 years!

Roatan Butterfly Garden

West West End's newest attraction, this tropical butterfly garden exhibits a variety of butterflies native to Honduras and the Bay Islands. Located at the entrance to West End. Open daily except Saturday from 9 to 5. Entrance fee is $5.00 US per person, and includes an information chart for a selfguided tour. A nice souvenir shop offering a variety of butterfly related souvenirs. On the outside of the butterfly house you will find a variety of tropical fruit trees, including cashews, hog plum, island plum, breadfruit, etc. This new attraction is without doubt a big asset for West End and has become on of the most popular stops for visitors to the island. The butterfly garden also features an exhibit of tropical birds native to Honduras. The macaws, parrots and toucans you can see here will without doubt add a lot of tropical color to your day! Definitely worth while!

Canopy Tours

This new adventure activity has become popular around the World and Roatan is no exception. There are now two different Canopy Tour operators in the West Bay area, plus of course the one in French Harbour. This unique adventure, originally designed to allow scientists to get a "birds eye" view of life in the canopy of the dense tropical forest has evolved to be a fun adrenalin pumping adventure that has become extremely popular. Both Canopy tours in the West Bay area are located on the main road to West Bay. The first canopy tour operator is actually part of the Gumbalimba Nature Park, and is approximately two Km. long; the other, known as the South Shore Canopy is almost 3 km. long. Trained guides and well maintained facilities provide good safe fun, and the cost of the tour is $35.00 US per person in both cases.

Gumbalimba Nature Park

Located in West Bay, this new nature park offers a variety of activities. The Canopy Tour is one of their attractions, and a 300 ft, hanging bridge over a lagoon will provide an Indiana Jones adventure to all crossing it! Beach activities include snorkel, snuba, and a variety of boating options, such as wave runners, banana skiing, etc. Probably the largest group of horses on the island call this park home, so horseback riding is another of the multiple activities available. The highlight of the park is an extensive bird collection that includes two different species of Macaws native to Honduras as well as several different species of parrots. The birds are trained to be free and interact with the visitors to the park. This park is the newest attraction in West Bay and is a must to visit!