Everyone goes west. This goes the other way. The east end is where Roatán’s history is, and almost no cruise excursion goes there: the island’s oldest Garifuna village, pirate history, and a local wooden water taxi through the mangrove tunnels at Oak Ridge. Private vehicle & driver for just your group, round-trip port pickup, and the water taxi included.
Private vehicle & expert local driver included, never shared, sized to your party. Prices are per person, all-in, no surprises.
The real east end
Roatán Mangrove Tunnels and East End Culture Villages Tour
$99 / person · all-in, no surprises
5–6.5 hrs · private vehicle & driver · round-trip port pickup · water taxi included
See what's included
Scenic drive along the east end — French Harbour, First Bight, Milton Bight and the villages between
Photo stops at the flags and the Isery pirate boat
Punta Gorda — the Garifuna village, fruit stands and local shops, and the view down into it from the hill
Oak Ridge, the “Venice of Roatán” — colorful houses built out over the water
A local wooden water taxi through the mangrove tunnels the pirates used to hide in
Time to stop at the Hole in the Wall on the way back — island dishes on a dock over the water (food and drinks not included, paid at the restaurant)
Add Daniel Johnson's on the way back: sloths, capuchin monkeys and scarlet macaws, about an hour at French Harbour, for $20 per person.
Why book with us
Private tour, never shared
Air-conditioned, newest fleet
Expert English-speaking local drivers, 15+ years
Round-trip port pickup & drop-off
Safe, professional, courteous
Back to port an hour or more before all-aboard
Licensed & insured vehicles
Full refund if your ship misses Roatán
Your US-based Roatán Excursion & Transportation Specialist for prompt help & planning
What to expect
Everyone goes west. This goes the other way. The east end is where the island’s history is, and almost no cruise excursion goes there. It is a 45-minute to hour-long drive out through French Harbour, First Bight and Milton Bight, past the little villages, with stops for photos at the flags and the Isery — a pirate boat sitting where you would least expect one.
Punta Gorda is the oldest Garifuna community in Honduras. You come down a hill and the whole town opens up below you, then you are weaving through streets of fruit stands and painted shops.
At Oak Ridge — the Venice of Roatán, where the houses are built out over the water — you board a local wooden water taxi and go into the mangrove tunnels. Narrow green channels the pirates used to disappear into. It is quiet in there in a way nothing else on this island is.
On the way back there is time to stop at the Hole in the Wall, one of the oldest restaurants on the east end — island dishes and tropical drinks, on a dock over the water. Food and drinks are not included and are paid at the restaurant.
Good to know: all ages, easy pace. The east end is a 45-minute to 1-hour drive each way. Bring cash for lunch and the fruit stands.
Check a tour for your sailing
Pick your ship, your day in Roatán and your party to see your exact times in both clocks, and every tour that fits your port window.
Ships usually spend about 8½ hours docked in Roatán. That leaves roughly 6¾ hours for your private day.
Two clocks, both shown. Your ship keeps either its home port's time or Roatán time. It's the captain's call, and no schedule says which. We show both, always, and your reservation has a place to circle the one your ship is on.
Off the ship and to your driver. About 45 minutes to get off the ship. Your reservation has clear directions to the pickup spot, where your private driver waits with a sign showing your name. Your driver's name and phone number are sent to you before you sail. If it takes longer to get off, your driver waits.
Every excursion mapped to your port window. Real durations plus drive times, against the hours you actually have ashore, starting when your first stop opens.
An hour held for the trip back. You're back at the port an hour or more before all-aboard. That hour is never counted as touring time.
Your driver watches the clock. Your reservation lists all your stops and how long you'll spend at each.
Getting off the ship in Roatán
Carnival, Princess and Holland America ships dock at Isla Tropicale (formerly Mahogany Bay). Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, MSC, Celebrity, Virgin Voyages, Margaritaville at Sea, Regent, Oceania and Crystal ships dock at Port of Roatán (Coxen Hole). Your reservation shows your port and the exact steps.
Port of Roatán (Coxen Hole)
When you get off the ship, head to the shopping area and turn right under the double stairway (you'll also see a sign for taxis).
You'll pass the independent tour sellers. They'll try hard to sell you an excursion; just tell them you're already booked.
At the end of that section, turn left, then right toward port exit gate #1.
Your driver is waiting across the street with a sign showing your last name.
Isla Tropicale (formerly Mahogany Bay)
When you get off the ship, head toward the duty-free shop and walk through.
Walk up the hill and turn left toward the taxi parking lot.
Turn left toward the port exit gate and walk up the hill.
Your driver is waiting with a sign showing your last name.
Can't manage the hill? A taxi is $2 per person; tell the driver your private driver is waiting at the gate.
Before you sail: your driver's name and phone number are on your reservation, sent to you before you sail, so you can reach them if you need to. Only go with the person holding a sign with your name.
Who plans your day
Hi, I'm Jen, your US-based Roatán Excursion & Transportation Specialist.
I first came to Roatán as a visitor and used the same local team every trip. That's how this partnership began.
— Jen
One team, two locations
In the US
Planning, your questions and every detail before you sail, with prompt answers by phone, text or email.
In Roatán
The driving, the logistics and fifteen years of local knowledge, with licensed & insured vehicles and English-speaking driver-guides trained through the Honduran Institute of Tourism.
Prompt answers from the US. Fifteen years of experience on the island.
Questions people ask
What is the Roatán mangrove tunnel tour?
A local wooden water taxi through the mangrove tunnels at Oak Ridge, the narrow green channels the pirates used to hide in, with colorful houses built out over the water. Our tour adds a scenic drive along the east end, photo stops, and the Garifuna village of Punta Gorda.
Is it a kayak or a boat tour?
A boat tour. You ride a local wooden water taxi through the tunnels, and the water taxi is included.
How much is the mangrove tour?
$99 per person, all-in: private vehicle and driver, round-trip port pickup and the water taxi. Food and drinks are not included. The price you see is the price at checkout: no surprises, no hidden fees.
How long is the mangrove tour?
5 to 6.5 hrs in all. The east end is a 45-minute to 1-hour drive each way, and it's worth it.
Can I add Daniel Johnson's?
Yes. Add Daniel Johnson's on the way back for $20 per person: sloths, capuchin monkeys and scarlet macaws, about an hour at French Harbour, directly on the road home.
Can I do the mangrove tour from the cruise port?
Yes. Your driver picks you up at the port and has you back at the port an hour or more before all-aboard, every time, by design.
See your day, timed to your ship
Pick your ship and your day in Roatán. See every excursion that fits your port window, in seconds. Your exact times in both clocks (home-port time and Roatán time), and your price. Private tours from $49 per person.
Group savings: 5 or more guests pay less per person on most tours.
