Norwegian Cruise Line: Roatan (Honduras) Glass Bottom Boat & West End Village Review

Roatan Island Honduras

During our recent cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), we visited Mexico (Corzumel), Belize and Roatan in Honduras. Since we knew that the waters of Honduras are awesome spots for diving and since we’re not really good swimmers, we decided that the Glass Bottom Boat was the perfect way for us to see the corals. It did not disappoint!

Locals Greeting at Roatan Island Honduras
Locals Greeting at Roatan Island Honduras

Roatan Island (Honduras) Glass Bottom Boat & West End Village Review

Cruise Terminal Roatan Island Honduras
Arrival Roatan
Town Center Roatan Island
“Town Center”
Roatan Island Honduras Coffee
Honduras Coffee

Depending on the berth of your ship, your ship may be berthed right next to the cruise terminal in Roatan Island Honduras. Otherwise, the boat tender may be a mere 5 minutes. At the cruise terminal, you’ll be able to purchase souvenirs, drink some Honduras Coffee or even do a zip line ride for about $30USD. Although it says “Town Center”, the cruise center is really just a mock up with newly painted walls and facade. Once you exit the cruise terminal area, that’s where the real beauty of Roatan Island Honduras is revealed…


Clear blue waters of Roatan Island Honduras

For our first stop, we visited a Cameo factory. This was where we learnt how the masters of this craft take months to carve intricate designs out of the sea shells.

Cameo Factory Roatan Island Honduras
Intricate design
Cameo Factory lamp shade
Lamp Shade
Cameo Factory Roatan Island Master Artiste
Master at work

The cameos cost in the range of $1500 to $3000USD depending on the intricacy of the design. Masters of the cameos usually take 2 months or up to carve such big and intricate designs. Unfortunately, smaller designs were not available when we were there. πŸ™

Inside Glass Bottom Boat Roatan Island Honduras
Glass Bottom Boat
Corals Roatan Island Honduras
Corals
Corals Roatan Island
More Corals

The glass bottom boat was the perfect way for us to see the corals of Roatan Island Honduras. Although it was a smaller coral reef, there was a “drop off” as well many different schools of fish. We saw sea turtles as well during our trip. The ride was approximately 30 minutes. Once you’re seated down, you’ll be magically transported to the mythical underwater world. No need to change into dive suits or snorkeling gear. The only draw back is that at low speeds (in order not to disrupt the corals), the boat may swing quite a little. Definitely not for those who are prone to sea sickness.

According to our guide, she thinks that that the primary cause of depleting corals is not only global warming but also divers or swimmers peeing into the oceans! The increase in temperature (by pee or global warming) affects the habitats of some species which in turn affects the entire ecology. So remember to hold it in when you guys visit the corals. Yeah, you! πŸ˜‰

Clear Waters Roatan Island Honduras
Clear Waters
West End Village Roatan Island Honduras
West End
2bearbear blue waters Roatan Island
2bearbear

Panoramic View of West End Village Roatan Island Honduras
Panoramic View of West End Village Roatan Island Honduras
Chilling at West End Village Roatan
Chilling at West End Village Roatan

After the glass bottom boat ride, we were dropped off at West End Village where most of the businesses here are owned by foreigners. Ice tea was complimentary at the restaurant/bar where we were dropped off. There’s even access direct to the waters via a wooden ladder. As it was a nice sunny day, both of us jumped in for a dip. The water was about 1.5 meters high. We also saw some mini crabs during our short swim in the waters.

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Yet another enjoyable day trip. Particularly enjoyed the glass bottom boat and West End Village where we were given about an hour to wander around and chill in the waters. If you have already seen the corals, you may give this day trip a miss and hire a private ride to West End Village. The ride takes only about 15 minutes from the cruise terminal. So a day chilling at West End Village could be a good option as well!

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