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Do I Need to Book an Excursion in Mahogany Bay?

Mahogany Bay, Roatan
Mahogany Bay, Roatan

“Do I Need to Book an Excursion in Mahogany Bay?” This is a question that I get asked a lot. Quite frankly, there are some cruise ports where you absolutely must book an excursion, and then there are others where you really don’t have to.

What is an Excursion?

An excursion is an activity that you book in a cruise port. The excursions range from historic tours, snorkeling and beach tours, visits to popular attractions, activities that will get your adrenaline pumping, and cultural activities. They are booked through local tour companies and cost additional money. Excursions can go from anywhere from $39 to hundreds of dollars for scuba diving, golfing, and helicopter tours.

Mahogany Bay, Roatan

Do I Need to Book an Excursion in Mahogany Bay?

Mahogany Bay was developed by the Carnival Cruise Line. Their goal was to create a haven for tourists so that they wouldn’t have to leave the port area. There is plenty to do here including shopping, dining, swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and other fun water activities. If you’re on a budget, you could definitely not book an excursion here and still have an amazing day!

However, as tempting as it is to stay in the port area, we urge you to get out of the area and see the REAL Roatan, Honduras. The island of Roatan is much different than what Carnival portrays. While the island is a little rough around the edges, it is absolutely stunning.

 We suggest visiting the Stone Castle Cameo Institute, ziplining, or heading to the West End for snorkeling.

Little French Key, Roatan, Honduras

Nearby Beaches

Little French Key

Imagine a tranquil, freshly raked, white sand beach that is shaded by gorgeous palms and surrounded by clear blue water. That, my friends, is Little French Key (LFK). This island is an absolute dream. Whether you’re looking to simply relax, wade in the tranquil cove, or try your hand at watersports, this place offers it all! LFK is an amazing spot for snorkeling, paddleboarding, and kayaking. There’s even a rope swing that you can play on- if you’re brave enough!

Sandy Bay Beach

This quiet tranquil beach is part of the Roatan Marine Park preserve. There is a reef teaming with fish, lobster, and coral that parallels the white sand beach. We love heading to the West End to get away from the crowds.

Tabyana Beach

This beach is a bit more crowded than the one at Sandy Bay but it is closer to the bars, restaurants, and resorts. Grab a Monkey Lala (the local drink) before you hit the beach. This beach shares a reef with Sandy Bay Beach. There are chairs with umbrellas available to rent.

West End Reef, Roatan, Honduras

West Bay Beach

In case you couldn’t tell, we really love the West End and West Bay side of the island. And really, what’s not to love? The beaches here are absolutely perfect: white sand, clear, calm turquoise waters, and breathtaking views. This beach offers water activities ranging from scuba diving, snorkeling, and even parasailing.

Maya Cay

This private island is located just across the bay from Mahogany Bay. It features two secluded beaches, a pool, lush gardens, and an exhibition center about the local culture. The snorkeling here is amazing so pack your gear!

Recommended Excursions in Mahogany Bay

Canopy Tour & Tabyana Beach

Man, I love ziplining! There’s nothing quite like having the wind blow through your hair as you are zipping through the canopy. This tour takes you to the Gumbalimba Park where you’ll complete 7 traverses. Afterwards, you’ll be taken to the Tabyana Beach where you can explore the reef.

Tabyana Beach Break

If zip lining isn’t your thing, you can take a tour that just hits the beach. Tabyana Beach is where the jungle meets the beach. It has crystal clear waters as well as an amazing reef just off the shore.

Cameo Factory, Roatan, Honduras

Top 10 Best Attractions of Roatan

I enjoy booking the “Best of…” excursions so that I can see all that the port has to offer. This tour takes you to an iguana farm, a chocolate factory (sans Willy Wonka), and several other attractions. We enjoyed checking out the Cameo Factory, which is the only one in the Americas. The craftsmanship is impeccable. The tour includes a pit stop at a private beach.

Big French Key Island with Watersports

If the thought of booking a tour outside of the cruise line scares you, consider visiting Big French Key, the neighbor to Little French Key. The beach here is everything you imagine a Caribbean beach to be. You’ll have access to snorkeling gear, kayaks, paddleboards, and beach toys. The bay includes features Maya replicas for you to explore underwater.

Monkeys, Sloths, & Macaws

This tour not only takes you on a scenic tour of the island but it also takes you to a cool spot where you can hang out with monkeys, sloths, and macaws! Afterwards, you’ll be taken to a second locations where you can feed iguana (hundreds of them), in their natural habitat.

While You’re in Roatan…

 

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Updated:  7/6/22

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Central America Cruise Travel Honduras Little French Key

5 Awesome Things to Do at Little French Key

The area of Roatan and Little French Key was once known as a haven for pirates but it has long since been taken over by divers and snorkelers. Nearly the entire island is surrounded by an incredible coral reef full of vibrantly colored tropical fish, lobsters, sea urchins, and other sea creatures. The island itself is covered with white-sand beaches, rolling hills, and the friendliest people you’ll ever encounter.

I’ve visited Honduras five times now and each time, I fall more and more in love with it. During my last two visits, I spent my time in a little place called Little French Key.

Where is Little French Key?

Little French Key is a small private island off the coast of another island (Roatan), off the coast of a developing country… does that sound remote enough for you?

Many islands have been called “paradise” in the past, however, I assure you that LFK puts all of those islands to shame. If your idea of paradise is a raked white sand beach covered with gorgeous palm trees, palm frond huts, and barely any other people around, LFK is perfect for you.

Little French Key has countless activities for visitors to enjoy so it is no wonder that it has been rated as the #1 Attraction in Roatan by TripAdvisor. They offer everything from massages, manicures, and pedicures, guided snorkeling expeditions, paddleboarding, a zoo filled with rescued animals, restaurants, bars, etc. This place seriously has it all!

Here are 5 Awesome Things to Do in Little French Key:

Paddleboarding and Kayaking

Paddleboarding and kayaking are two of the trendiest water sports right now. LFK is the perfect place to try your hand at both. The island features gorgeous coves surrounded by rock jetties that prevent the waves from coming in making the water a nice, smooth surface perfect for beginners.

Zoo

The owners of LFK have rescued many animals from various circuses. These animals have been given a safe and healthy home with the medical care that they need. Be sure to stop by and say hello to the lions, tigers, jaguars, monkeys, and birds that have been rescued! If you’re lucky, you may even be able to hold one of these precious animals.

Relax

I don’t know about you, but when I go on vacation, I love just being able to relax. Here you can soak up some rays on one of the comfortable beach chairs or relax under the shade of a palm tree. There are countless hammocks, swings, and even a platform full of beds where you can enjoy the picturesque scenery while getting a little R&R.

Enjoy a Monkey Lala

This super fun drink is a signature on the island of Roatan. It is a delicious combination of Bailey’s, Kahlua, vodka, rum, cream of coconut, and a splash of cream. This drink is heavenly! The bartenders here also make a mean margarita and another superb signature drink called The Tornado.

Snorkeling

One of my favorite thing to do in the islands is breaking out my snorkeling gear and checking out what’s happening in the deep blue sea. Honduras is home to the second-largest barrier reef in the world, second only to the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) in Australia. In fact, it is actually home to the largest living barrier reef in the world as much of the GBR has died. LFK offers a guided snorkeling tour that takes you to an underwater park known as Mayatlantis. Here, you can swim amongst replicas of ancient Maya ruins, which is pretty stinking cool if you ask me.

If guided tours aren’t your thing, you can also snorkel in the coves. You won’t believe how much-petrified coral is right under your feet! You may also see fish, lobsters, sea urchins, and more!

How do I get to this place?

Little French Key is truly heaven on Earth! If you visit Roatan aka Mahogany Bay on a cruise, be sure to look into visiting this incredible private island. The LFK crew will even meet you at the dock and transport you to paradise!

There are also direct flights from Houston, Atlanta, and New York to Roatan. From Roatan, you’ll take a super quick (less than 5 minutes!) ferry ride from the mainland to Little French Key aka Heaven on Earth. Little French Key offers hotel accommodations right on the island, making it easy to wake up and have your toes in the sand in just minutes!

While You’re in Roatan…

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Little French Key in Roatan, Honduras – Why We WON’T Be Returning

Little French Key, Roatan, Honduras

Little French Key USED to be one of our favorite spots to visit in Central America.  We once saw it as a little slice of paradise where time moves a little slower, the sun shines a little brighter, the sand feels just a little bit softer, and the drinks are poured a little stronger. It was the perfect little escape for couples, families, and large groups.

Where is Little French Key?

Firstly, Honduras has 3 bay islands off of its north coast; Roatan, Utila, and Guanaja. During our 2016 visit, we discovered our favorite place in the world. Just off the coast of Roatan is a small private island oasis called Little French Key. Making it an itty bitty island, off the coast of another island… sound remote enough for you?

Imagine a tranquil, freshly raked, white sand beach that is shaded by gorgeous palms and surrounded by clear blue water. That, my friends, is LFK. At least, that’s what they want you to believe.  Underneath the surface, it’s actually a haven for drama, scandal, corruption, and everything we try to escape while on vacation.

The property is frequently in turmoil- turmoil the managers refer to as “hostile takeovers”.  These take overs sometimes include militia with machine guns, sieges by the government, arson, periods of time where there is no electricity or running water.  Little French Key has become a mess.

Probably the saddest part of all of this is the fact that there are innocent animals involved in this drama.  Little French Key prides itself as being a sanctuary for rescue animals.  These “rescues” end up being exploited and frequently sedated so that they remain calm while tourists pose for pictures with them.

 

 

 

Little French Key embodies everything we stand against.  It’s a shame that such a gorgeous property has succumbed to such drama and corruption.  We’ve visited the island 4x, and have such wonderful memories there.  We, however, will not be returning.

We caution you about visiting Little French Key, at this time.  The park closes without notice and is not issuing refunds to people who have prepaid for their trip.

Big French Key

Next to Little French Key is another island called Big French Key.  It has similar tranquil vibes without all of the machine guns, drugged-up animals, corruption, greed, fire, etc.

This is where WE will be visiting on our next trip to Roatan.  

While You’re in Roatan…

 

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Updated: 4/15/22

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