Roatan Monkey and Sloth Sanctuary Visit with Sandbar Snorkelling

The Roatan sloth and monkey sanctuary

The first stop is a wildlife sanctuary set among the trees of Roatan, where rescued and resident animals live in a green, shaded setting. There is a little bit of everything: guinea pigs, yellow-naped parrots, scarlet macaws, white-faced capuchin monkeys and the star of the visit, the three-toed sloth.

You spend about an hour here with the guide and keepers, learning how sloths sleep up to most of the day and move with deliberate slowness, how capuchins live in lively family groups and why the macaw is the national bird of Honduras. Follow the keepers' instructions and respect the animals' space. A Roatan sloth tour is one of the most requested shore excursions on the island, and this sanctuary gives you an unhurried, close view of these unusual animals.

Snorkelling on the sandbar

After the sanctuary you head to the coast for snorkelling on a beautiful sandbar teeming with marine life, just a couple of minutes' swim from shore. The water is only about one to one and a half metres deep, so you can float comfortably over the bottom and see everything clearly.

Look for parrotfish, sergeant majors, blue tang, small rays resting on the sand and patches of coral and sea grass. The guide gives you the snorkel gear, explains how to use it and stays close by, which makes this an ideal first snorkel. Bottled water is provided at the site; bring a towel and reef-safe sunscreen, and remember never to stand on or touch the coral.

The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef around Roatan

Roatan sits on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second-largest barrier reef in the world, which runs for about a thousand kilometres from Mexico to Honduras. Around the island it creates an extraordinary range of snorkelling spots, from shallow marine parks to dramatic drop-offs where the reef wall falls into deep blue water.

The sandbar on this tour is at the gentle end of that range, chosen because it is calm, shallow and safe for beginners while still full of life. If you fall in love with the reef, Roatan also offers some of the most affordable scuba diving in the Caribbean, and the water is warm enough to snorkel all year.

Coxen Hole and planning your Roatan shore day

Coxen Hole is the main town of Roatan and the site of the Town Center cruise port, with shops, a market and the island's government offices. The tour starts and ends here, which makes it a convenient half-day for cruise passengers who want to be back in good time.

If your ship arrives later than 9:00, you can still book: simply exit the ship 30 minutes after the doors open. The drier months in Roatan are usually from about March to August, while October to January is wetter, and the shallow sandbar can still be enjoyed on most days. Bring swimwear under your clothes to save time. A small bag for your towel and phone is handy.