Roatan Snorkeling.

It's hard to go wrong snorkeling anywhere on Roatan. That said, there are good and better places to snorkel. Here are some snokeling options in Roatan:

1. Snorkeling Tour Inclusions:

✔ One Snorkel Stop – Explore the stunning Blue Channel, one of Roatán’s most vibrant snorkeling spots
✔ All Equipment Provided – Masks, fins, and snorkels included for an unforgettable underwater adventure

2. Snorkel Combo Tour Inclusions:

✔ One Snorkel Stop – Discover Roatán’s incredible marine life

✔ All Equipment Provided – Masks, fins, and snorkels included for an unforgettable underwater adventure
✔ Sightseeing – Enjoy breathtaking views of the island’s coastline
✔ Mangrove Exploration – Navigate through lush mangrove tunnels for a unique eco-experience
✔ Dolphin Viewing – Spot dolphins in their natural habitat for an unforgettable encounter

Here are three great ways to get the most out of your next Roatan Snorkeling experience.

1. Queen Victoria.

PAID: The first is aboard Queen Victoria. The Queen Victoria Catamaran can take passengers to hard to reach places, otherwise inaccessible from the shore. The ship is large and stable in the water. That makes it easy for guests to get in and out of the water. The drawback here is that you'll need to be part of a larger group, or else Queen Victoria won't sail.

See Rates →

2. Scuba Shop.

PAID: The Scuba Shop offers a beautiful snorkeling experience. They are located in Pristine Bay, French Harbour, arguably the best Lagoon between a barrier and Roatan’s shore line. During this tour, you'll dip below the surface to get an excellent glance at the mesoamerican reef system.

Visit Scuba Shop →

3. West Bay.

FREE: West Bay offers world-class snorkeling. The annual Freediving Competitions are held in this very spot every year. The water is calm, clear, and the reef is only a few strokes away from the shore. Boat traffic is further out, so it’s safe to snorkel. A drawback to this option is that it is a well-known snorkeling site, so expect company.

1. Queen Victoria.

Roatan Snorkeling is a world-class experience for many good reasons. For starters, the coral reef around Roatan is a barrier reef. As such, the reef formations are majestic and offer several unique characteristics which are not common elsewhere. Barrier reefs are loosely shaped like a wall or barrier, hence the name. The wall provides two very different snorkeling experiences. On the inside (the area between the barrier wall and the shoreline) the snorkeling experience is calm and picturesque, filled with colorful corals, turtles, and large schools of fish in sheltered waters. Outside the barrier, the water turns deep blue the current picks up, and the snorkeling experience overlooks a coral wall which disappears into the abyss. There are larger fish outside the wall and several shipwrecks along the edge of the wall. The views are spectacular.

About the Catamaran.

The Queen Victoria is a newly built catamaran boat, 60 ft in length, 24 ft wide, and has two 450 lbs of horsepower engines. The double hull, large standing area, rooftop, makes for a smooth and comfortable ocean ride. The views of Roatan from the water's edge offers a beautiful perspective of Roatan. You'll have the perfect view of the islands canopy, its beaches, and most importantly, its coral reefs.

PRO TIP: Snorkeling outside the wall is only recommended for experienced swimmers who understand ocean currents.

Catamaran Sunset Tour Details.

The tour leaves from West Bay beach.

Dance along with our friendly staff to our onboard music, delight with some chilled mixed drinks at our open bar and party while taking in the panoramic views of our coastal waters. 

Catamaran Sunset Tour.

• Duration: Starts at 02:00 p.m. until sunset.

• $110-$100 kids

• Catamaran Tour Inclusions:

  ✔ Open Bar and Snacks
  ✔ Snorkeling
  ✔ Round-Trip Transportation from Cruise Port
  

Cayos Cochinos

• All day

• $220

• Snacks, Drinks and Lunch

BOOK SNORKELING TOUR →

Cayos Cochinos Day Trip - Details.

Tour departs from from West Bay.

Tour includes:

✔ Beer, Sodas & Rum Punch
✔ Fruit Platter & Chips with Salsa
✔ Delicious Lunch
✔ Snorkeling Adventure
✔ Beach Time

Pigeon Cays

• All day

• $220

• Snacks, Drinks and Lunch

BOOK PIGEON CAY →

BOAT RIDE TO PIGEON CAY

Tour departs from from West Bay.

Tour includes:

✔ Beer, Sodas & Rum Punch
✔ Fruit Platter & Chips with Salsa
✔ Delicious Lunch
✔ Snorkeling Adventure
✔ Beach Time

Snorkel Tour

• Sightseeing (2 hrs)

• $50 to $90

• Snacks & Drinks

BOOK SNORKELING TOUR →

SNORKELING TOUR

Departs from West Bay Beach

1. Snorkeling Tour Inclusions:

• One Snorkel Stop – Explore the stunning Blue Channel, one of Roatán’s most vibrant snorkeling spots

• All Equipment Provided – Masks, fins, and snorkels included for an unforgettable underwater adventure

2. Snorkel Combo Tour Inclusions:

• One Snorkel Stop – Discover Roatán’s incredible marine life

• Sightseeing – Enjoy breathtaking views of the island’s coastline

• Mangrove Exploration – Navigate through lush mangrove tunnels for a unique eco-experience

• Dolphin Viewing – Spot dolphins in their natural habitat for an unforgettable encounter

Fishing Charter

BOOK FISHING CHARTER →

CATAMARAN FISHING CHARTER

1/2 day: $400

Full day: $600

Includes: fishing gear

Drinks: local beer, rum, vodka, tequila , juices, sodas & water.

Snacks: chips and salsa, fruit platters, veggie platters, deli & cheese platters, chicken skewers

Catamaran Rental

BOOK PRIVATE CHARTER →

CATAMARAN DAY RENTAL

• Rent the boat for a day w/ captain & crew

• $2,000 inshore

• $3,000 offshore

Personal Gear

• Pros & Cons

• Risk & Tips

• Snorkeling Theory

WHY BRING YOUR OWN EQUIPMENT

Many of our guests choose to bring their equipment. There are many reasons why this may be a good idea. Here are a few of the most common reasons why you should bring your snorkel if at all possible:

1. You will be sure the equipment fits perfectly

2. Upgraded features like splash guards and anti-fog technology

3. Built-in camera mounts

PRO TIP: The optimum snorkel length is 16 inches (40 centimeters) as a longer snorkel would not allow breathing when snorkeling deeper. This is because your lungs would be in a deeper water column where the water pressure would be too great, and your lungs would not be able to inflate on an inhale. The muscles that expand the lungs are just not strong enough.

RESPIRATORY DEAD SPACE

When a snorkeler inhales, he takes in some of the previously exhaled air that remains in the snorkel from a previous exhale. This, in turn, can result in a build-up of carbon dioxide in the blood and that in turn can lead to hypercapnia in the worst case scenarios and over a long exposure period.

A snorkel with a smaller diameter reduces the dead volume. But smaller diameter snorkels require more exertion when breathing as the air resistance is greater.

PRO TIP: Exhaling through the nose when while snorkeling can reduce the carbon dioxide build up in the snorkel and This practice also helps keep a scuba mask clear of water.

Snorkeling Pro.

The Scuba Shop offers a beautiful snorkeling experience. They are located just across from Little French Key. From there, they take you to great snorkeling spots, including the Prince Albert shipwreck. You’ll get a short boat ride out of the experience, and you'll also have the option to visit Little French Key, which is a top Caribbean destination.

Video of Scuba Shop Snorkeling sites →

a. Check in.

Once you arrive at the Scuba Shop, the team will make sure you have the proper gear (fins, mask, lifejackets) for your snorkeling tour. Then you'll have a short briefing about where you will snorkeling. After the briefing, you'll take a short boat ride to the reef. After the snorkeling tour, you'll have the option of stopping by Little French Key for lunch.

b. Boat Ride & Snorkel.

An added perk to snorkeling at the Scuba Shop is that you'll get a short boat ride. Some of Roatan's best snorkeling sites are located just a few minutes away from the Scuba Shop marina. During your tour, you'll have the opportunity to enjoy a boat ride and some of Roatan's best-snorkeling destinations.

c. Lunch at Little French Key.

After the snorkeling tour, the Scuba Shop will take you to Little French Key for a meal with a view. Little French Key is routinely voted a top destination in the Caribbean, and the Scuba Shop will take you there after your snorkeling experience has concluded.

Most Popular.

West Bay offers world-class snorkeling. The annual Freediving Competitions are held in this very spot every year. The water is calm, clear, and the reef is only a few strokes away from the shore. Boat traffic is further out, so it’s safe to snorkel. A drawback to this option is that it is a well-known snorkeling site, so expect company.

Snorkeling scenes filmed on West Bay →

a. Location.

The geographic positioning of West Bay beach makes it a world-class destination for freediving. The orientation of the island shelter the beach from high currents and the wind. The result is stunning glass-like waters, perfect for snorkeling.

b. Snorkeling Spot.

Once you get to West Bay, you'll want to go to the westernmost part of the beach. The waters in front of Infinity Bay Hotel and to the Grand Roatan Hotel are perfect for snorkeling. The waters here are calm, and the reef is the most stunning.

c. Precautions.

While the water directly in front of West Bay beach is very calm, there are two main precautions to take into consideration. The first is the point of the island. Two currents meet directly at the tip of the island, and they can be dangerous, so be sure not to drift past the area in front of the beach. The second precaution has to do with boat traffic. The western side of the beach has the least amount of boat traffic.