West Bay Beach
West Bay Beach
4.5
About
West Bay is what many consider the picture-perfect Caribbean destination: white sand, clear, calm waters and full service resorts. The variety of water activities include scuba diving, fishing charters, snorkeling and parasailing. Scuba diving and other outfitters leave directly from the beach so starting your water-based activities is easy and convenient.
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  • Mona_canada1
    Tecumseh, Canada76 contributions
    Beautiful beach
    Beautiful beach. Lots of bars & places to rent chairs. The water was clear. The beach was very busy in New Years Eve & the vendors were out in full force. The massage ladies were relentless.
    Visited December 2022
    Travelled with family
    Written 14 January 2023
  • Breezy_in_Virginia
    Poquoson, Virginia168 contributions
    pretty spot
    Soft sand beach, unfortunately a little dirty. Can get busy especially on days cruise ships are in port. Lots of restaurants to chose from, many vendors selling wares on the beach. Easy to grab a water taxi to west end. Sun sets here are exceptional, good for families, felt safe while there all week.
    Visited January 2023
    Written 16 January 2023
  • jmash
    Turnersville, New Jersey1,200 contributions
    Day at the beach in Roatan
    My wife and I recently visited Roatan on a cruise vacation. While there, we did an excursion to West Bay Beach. The beach is a 25 minute drive from the cruise port. The beach was very nice with calm water and smooth white sand. The local people were continually trying to sell their crafts or service, which was a bit annoying. There were no bathroom facilities unless you bought a day pass from one of the hotels.
    Visited January 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 17 January 2023
  • ljengen
    23 contributions
    Spectacular!
    Wonderful beach, narrower than I thought but still enough space. Avoid cruise ship days, especially Thursday. I believe that is the day with 4 ships. Tues/Wed also a bit more crowded. Lovely clear water, warm and safe for the kids to play in all day! Even though we supported the local sales people, be prepared to say no A LOT, they will ask consistently.
    Visited January 2023
    Written 23 January 2023
  • Jody S
    10 contributions
    Beware of beach resort fee
    If you are looking for a cheaper route just book this through your cruise line. We were originally told it was $20 usd per person to go to West Bay but then once we got to Henry Morgan’s beach resort we were told we had to pay a fee. $20 for use of the beach and bathrooms, $69 for beach and bathrooms and lobster and drinks, $89 for all the above and fried fish. All in we had $250 into cost and tips. The beach is gorgeous and the lobster took almost 2 hours but they were huge. So lots of positives just different way of doing business. I would have appreciated the details at the port but it was a good experience.
    Visited March 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 2 March 2023
  • Marino
    Barrie, Canada11 contributions
    Amazing beach, people and food
    If you go to Roatan West Bay is a spot you cannot miss. Incredibly clear light blue water where tides seem not to exist. White sands and warm sunny weather. If you go on a Cruise ship, get a cab to take you to the bananrama. They are located in a great spot on the beach and their food is amazing. You can grab a table in their restaurant and enjoy the beach while drinking and eating. The island is poor but still amazing.
    Visited March 2023
    Written 13 March 2023
  • Aussiesinmaine
    Falmouth, Maine217 contributions
    Crowded tourist beach, beautiful white sand and clear water
    West bay beach has lovely white sands and crystal clear water. However, it is a narrow beach with many beach front hotels, so there are large numbers of tourists. The whole beach is privately owned by the various hotels, so you do need to stay at one of the hotels or pay for a day pass ($usd15). There are numerous hawkers selling all kinds of things - t-shirts, hair braiding, massage, tamales, fruit, banana bread. This could be quite annoying if you intend to enjoy a quiet day on the beach. However, the banana bread is excellent- warm and just a little gooey where the banana has softened.
    Visited March 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 25 March 2023
  • sunking64_11
    19 contributions
    Major league snorkeling from shore!
    Major league snorkeling right off the beach! All the way to the end until you hit the rock wall. The farther out you go the better it gets. Nice white sand beach, but gets very crowded with cruise ship passengers. Best day to go is Sunday, no cruise ships. I wouldn't want to stay in this area as it's all resorts and no local character. West End is much more vibrant and funky with lots of local food and shops.
    Visited March 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 1 April 2023
  • Antonio C
    12 contributions
    Marcus
    Went for the day to west end beach off our crusie ship, didn't like all the hassling over a cab from locals. Until Marcus (Serafin Marquez) tool us to west end beach, just me and my wife. He stayed with us for the whole thing, leaving us alone when wanted to and there when we needed him. Made sure nobody bothered us. If you go to Roatan go to beautiful west end beach or find Marcus he was really a kind man.
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 17 September 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions

4.5
3,414 reviews
Excellent
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Very good
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Average
217
Poor
58
Terrible
32

luvmy32000
San Antonio, TX1,296 contributions
Nov 2023 • Solo
This is a pretty spectacular beach. Lots to do here and tons of restaurants. Very laid back. If your on roatan plan a day here. The water is fabulous
Written 13 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

FarAway126632
4 contributions
Sep 2023 • Friends
Loved West Bay! Beautiful, friendly people. Cheap lobster. Great diving/snorkeling. Cute boutque hotels, line the beach.
Written 24 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Antonio C
12 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
Went for the day to west end beach off our crusie ship, didn't like all the hassling over a cab from locals. Until Marcus (Serafin Marquez) tool us to west end beach, just me and my wife. He stayed with us for the whole thing, leaving us alone when wanted to and there when we needed him. Made sure nobody bothered us. If you go to Roatan go to beautiful west end beach or find Marcus he was really a kind man.
Written 17 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

shirley p
6 contributions
Sep 2022 • Friends
The beach is nice, but be prepared to stay in the water a lot, as it is very hot there. Also, there’s some nice little beach bars and restaurants all around!
Written 24 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

skier3010
Seattle19 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
If you're visiting Roatan, and need safe, dependable, friendly transportation, I've got the person for you! Larson Bodden is amazing. (tel: 504-9510-9383; larsonbodden41@gmail.com).

We were going to be docking in Roatan and wanted to head to West Bay Beach for the day without the cruise-tour excursion. We didn't know what the taxi situation would be upon arrival; and were also worried about our ability to get back from the beach to the cruise terminal in time for departure. I saw Larson's name mentioned favorably in another Trip Advisor review, and we emailed and called him just 30 minutes before arrival. Not only did he answer his phone and the email back immediately...but he was waiting for us as promised with an air conditioned car. He made an arrangement to take us to West Bay Beach and confirmed a pickup time; and didn't accept payment until the end of the day, which gave us great confidence in him. Larson also stopped and got us big bottles of water as his gift.

He had a recommendation for a resort at West Bay, which sold us a day pass that included beach chairs and full facilities. (But I will say there are many good ones, all side by side.) DO NOT MISS THE SNORKELING ON WEST BAY. We skipped the boat tour options, and just rented fins and snorkel masks right on the beach -- for two hours, we swam among the most gorgeous underwater vistas of coral, mesmerizing fish, and grottos. Like something out of the Little Mermaid.

As promised, Larson was waiting for us at the appointed time. (He even offered to add additional stops at a toy store and orphanage we wanted to visit for no extra charge -- but the facility was no longer available.) If you're going to Roatan, do not miss the opportunity to hire Larson -- he's fully fluent in English, a delight to hang with, and will bring you great peace of mind.
Written 7 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

tedog
Las Vegas, NV31 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
Nice calm beautiful beach, lots to do lots to offer, restaurants, lounge chairs, snorkeling, jet-ski, shades areas, wifi include with your $20 day pass.
Written 3 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

sunking64_11
Richfield, Minnesota19 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
Major league snorkeling right off the beach! All the way to the end until you hit the rock wall. The farther out you go the better it gets. Nice white sand beach, but gets very crowded with cruise ship passengers. Best day to go is Sunday, no cruise ships. I wouldn't want to stay in this area as it's all resorts and no local character. West End is much more vibrant and funky with lots of local food and shops.
Written 1 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

MaiMai
4 contributions
Mar 2023
Really nice area, has many restaurants, dive shops, vendors selling shirts etc. We stayed in an AirBNB on beach and was very pleased with the entire stay. Quieter area that West End
Written 25 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Aussiesinmaine
Falmouth, ME217 contributions
Mar 2023 • Family
West bay beach has lovely white sands and crystal clear water. However, it is a narrow beach with many beach front hotels, so there are large numbers of tourists. The whole beach is privately owned by the various hotels, so you do need to stay at one of the hotels or pay for a day pass ($usd15). There are numerous hawkers selling all kinds of things - t-shirts, hair braiding, massage, tamales, fruit, banana bread. This could be quite annoying if you intend to enjoy a quiet day on the beach. However, the banana bread is excellent- warm and just a little gooey where the banana has softened.
Written 25 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kristin C
1 contribution
Mar 2023 • Family
Beautiful beach but please whatever you do, be careful!! There is very limited resources for emergencies and help if someone is in trouble. No regulations and no warnings for dangerous water or areas. And please please do not jump off the pier it is not safe and it should be taken down.
Written 24 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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WEST BAY BEACH: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about West Bay Beach