Best ops for cruise ship passengers in Roatan

[Tigerpaw]

I'm going to be in Roatan in February 2026 on a Royal Carribean cruise. We've been to Roatan in 2024 (I didn't dive) and I remember the construction and I also remember that Anthony Key Resort took some time to get to.

It looks like we'll be docked at Coxen Hole near the West End. Anthony Key Resort seems to be a good choice (15 min away) but I heard that sometimes cruise ship divers may not get a good chance to dive. I'm also considering Coconut Tree Divers

We'll be in port for the standard 8 hours, which means I've alloted myself 5 hours for roundtrip travel and diving. With those parameters are there any other places I could reasonably dive? And also how much of a delay is due to construction?

 

[Altamira]

Although a little farther drive than to AKR, Barefoot Divers near Mahogany Bay is excellent. I’m not sure if construction is ongoing in that direction, but possibly less congestion than going to the West End. Coconut Tree is also excellent as is AKR. FWIW, AKR is RCCL’s dive op, and you don’t have to worry about getting back to the ship if traffic is a problem.

 

[Wants2divemore]

I dove with AKR on a Royal Caribbean official excursion in April 2024. I normally try and avoid booking cruise ship excursions since they tend to be more crowded and expensive, but due to the timing in port I had to use AKR. I've only been to Roatan once, so I don't have any personal experience with other ops. I enjoyed the dives and overall experience at AKR, except for safety concern at the end (mentioned in my trip report).

Trip Report Thread 'Anthony’s Key Resort on a cruise - Roatan'

Apr 13, 2024

TLDR - Good dives with established operator, but questionable safety on dive. Would not dive with them again on a cruise excursion.

I took an official Royal Caribbean shore excursion dive with Anthony’s Key resort on April 10, 2024. When booking the dive, it was advertised as being with Anthony’s Key, as opposed to some other dive excursions where they don’t mention beforehand what dive op they use. AKR says they only allow diving with them if you’re not staying at the resort if they have space based on their occupancy at the time.

Getting there: After meeting on ship, the entire group...

• Wants2divemore
• Replies: 5
• Forum: Cruises

• 

Given all of the other positive reviews of other places around the island, if time isn't an issue, I'd look somewhere else. I did a lot of research around that time for other dive ops. Here are my notes. The prices and times might have changed somewhat since it was last year.


Island Diving Center
18 min from pier
Islanddivingcenterroatan.com

504.3380.6100

Good SB reviews. Is in West End area which has better diving that AKR. Should try and use over AKR or other cruise excursion if possible.

2-tank boat dive for cruise ship guests, $110 - includes transportation to/from cruise pier
Fully refundable if cruise ship can’t dock or canceled due to weather. Otherwise, 100% refund if cancel >24h in advance

-Will adjust pick up time for cruise ship
-Group divers into beginners, experiences, & pros
-Only 1 diver required, so won’t cancel dive if no one else diving
-Private guide $40/dive

4 boats, size 6-20 people. Look like have shade but not head



Roatan Dive Center
Main Road, Dixon Cove, IB3108
www.roatandivecenter.com
+504 9542-2577 (WhatsApp)
11 min drive from pier

Good 3.7.2024 SB Review

2023 price (2024 may be different) $113.85 for 2-tank dive (includes tax and transport to/from cruise terminal). Private guide additional $25 + tax per dive
3 boats, largest 14 passengers. Dive group size depends on divers in group but max 8:1
Shade, no head
-Select dive sites that day (max depth 60’, max length 60min/dive, but may be shallower)
-Showers/restrooms available back at shop
-Payment via PayPal.
-Offer refund if ship can’t dock due to weather or change of itinerary

For those divers who we have never dived with then each dive has a maximum depth of around 60ft/18mtrs (or shallower) and a maximum of 60 minutes in duration (Air permitting) For those divers who find themselves low on air earlier, then the Divemaster will have the Group back at the boat around the 45-minute mark and have them complete a Safety Stop and Surface. The remaining divers will be able to dive longer if tank pressure permits.


West Bay Divers
Good SB reviews, including 2.2.2025 JossRincon


West End Divers
15 min drive from pier
Good SB reviews
West End Divers, West End Road, West End, Bay Islands
+504-9513-2287
westenddivers.com
$90 for 2-tank dive for cruise ship guests


Coconut Tree Divers
coconuttreedivers.com
504.8795.8323 WhatsApp
email@coconuttreedivers.com
Good SB review & Trip Advisor reviews
15 min from pier

8.30a-2p; 2-tank $110 (including transportation) - separate boat just for cruise ship passengers so they make sure timing is right. Private DM $25/dive/person

• 1st dive is typically deep (80-130’) along walls or wreck, 2nd dive is shallower
• Prefer cash, 6% credit card surcharge; also accept Venmo, PayPal. $30 deposit required at booking, non refundable unless ship cancels its port
• Typical group of 8 divers. Everyone stays together
• No minimum, will dive with 1 diver
• Boats are covered, no head

Turquoise Bay Resort
Good SB reviews
35 minutes from cruise pier


Barefoot Divers
Good SB review mbwilliamn
Close to Mary’s Porch dive which is supposedly excellent.


Sun Divers
Good SB reviews
13 min from pier
8.30a 2-tank dive trip, $90
Boats hold 10-12
Max 6 divers/DM
Deposit required at booking, fully fundable >30d in advance, 50% >15d, 0% <14d
Cash discount

 

[Wheeler925]

"Coxen Hole" hehe

 

[Bjparris1990]

We dove with Sun Divers earlier this year. Good Dive Op.