Top Things to do in Sandy Bay
Top 9 Things to do in Sandy Bay, Honduras
Discover the best top things to do in Sandy Bay, Honduras including West Bay Beach, Carambola Botanical Gardens & Trails, Tabyana Beach, Rusty Fish, Sandy Bay Beach, Maya Key, Butterfly Gardens, Dolphin Encounter, Sandy Bay.
Restaurants in Sandy Bay
1. West Bay Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
West Bay is what many consider the picture-perfect Caribbean destination: white sand, clear, calm waters and full service resorts. The variety of water activities include scuba diving, fishing charters, snorkeling and parasailing. Scuba diving and other outfitters leave directly from the beach so starting your water-based activities is easy and convenient.
Reviewed By Gregory D - Hobe Sound, Florida
This is the beach many tourist come to. It has everything you need - snorkeling from beach (best I saw on island), restaurants/bars, jet ski rental, parasailing and other activities. There are a few gift shops but not many. Might be cheaper taxi to West End and then take water taxi ($3 each) to West Bay.
2. Carambola Botanical Gardens & Trails
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 263 reviews
The 100% natural 40 acres of the Carambola Botanical Gardens and their many jungle trails offer a perfect place for hiking, wildlife and scenic photography, eco tours, bird watching, nature studies, and of course, relaxation. So, "take a walk on the wild side" and watch the playful Monkey La La scurry along jungle trails as you enjoy flowering plants, orchids, medicinal plants, exotic spices, fruit and nut trees, including the very popular "Chocolate Tree" and the world famous Honduran mahogany tree.
Reviewed By Paul C - Exmouth, United Kingdom
These Gardens were created by its owner, (William (Bill) Parks-Brady) largely by his own hands starting in 1985. It's rustic and full of charm and more tropical plants than you can imagine in one place! Chocolate trees are everywhere! Eden Boidomes it isn't, this is real not cleansed for popular consumption! We were treated to guided tour by Bill himself and his knowledge, enthusiasm and care for the environment is passionate but not like so many environmentalists, realistic and sensible! Yes Bill could be called an eccentric, but hey, the world needs more like him!! If you are in Roatan, missing this would be a great mistake!!
3. Tabyana Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 690 reviews
Reviewed By ColoradoKristy - Colorado
This was the best excursion of our cruise. It was a 45 minute bus ride to the west end of the island, all the while our bus driver was narrating and giving us information on the wildlife, the culture, the economy, and answering any question we asked. The entire tour lasted much longer than the ticket time said, because of the travel time. There was plenty of room on the beach and in the water to enjoy without feeling too crowded. There were empty chairs on the beach all day.
It was absolutely gorgeous! Beautiful white sandy beach, turquoise blue water and the barrier reef is right off shore. Shallow water that dropped down to deeper waters, so something for everyone. Beach had plenty of lounge chairs in the shade (or sun, if preferred), and private security guards that watched your things while you were in the water. They also happily took your photo. Wait staff for drinks, changing room, Freshwater showers, a bar with live music, and for an extra $15, a lunch buffet. Free lemonade, ice tea, and water. Everything was very clean. There were life guards/tour guides on duty that would give you a water tour of the reef with a boogie board- no charge. This means all you had to do was hang on with one hand and take pictures and enjoy the sealife. We saw lots of fish, a barracuda, eagle ray, beautiful coral and sea fans, a sea cucumber and a live conch, which the guide brought up for us to touch.
We got to spend at least 3 hours here- wish it was longer. You could take any shuttle bus back that you wanted- just had to be sure to take one that would get you back to the ship in time.
4. Rusty Fish
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 233 reviews
Rusty Fish makes artwork out of recycled materials. Most of which comes from the garbage dump. The Rusty Fish store benifits 60 local families. Providing a way for them to make an income and support their families. Beyond recycled artwork we also have the best selection of locally made wood carvings, local stone carving, paintings by local artisans and handmade jewelry. 100% of our items are made on the Island. Giving you a unique gift and enabling you to help local families by purchasing their artwork.
Reviewed By Jalama - Santa Barbara, California
Stayed in Roatan for 8 days and tried to visit all the stores. I went in early on to most of the stores just to see which I wanted to go back to. My last couple days I went back to the chosen few and did all my shopping. This store has the coolest gifts, knick-knacks and earrings in it!!! I purchased quite a few things and wish I had gotten more! Next year I will top off my collection, and gifts to share, from The Rusty Fish! Both times I was there the staff were friendly, welcoming and not pushy! It made for a nice relaxed shopping experience.
5. Sandy Bay Beach
Overall Ratings
4 based on 139 reviews
The property is unique to Roatan. Just off the main road to a private beach area. This area is part of the Roatan Marine Park preserve. The reef system parallels the white sand beach of Sandy Bay The closiest swim to a underwater ecologial paradise teaming with tropical fish and corals. This area is a quiet tranquil area of Roatan without high end hotels and condos but close to the tourist meccas.
Reviewed By Nolaboy70
This is a very cool area that has a long stretch of beach line as well as a few restaurants down the way. We were able to drive or rental car down the side road that then turned into the beach road lol. We took that beach road and made a few stops by a few different docks we were able to walk down. Then we snorkel out past the boat channel which is marked with a few buoys and you will start to see small patches of reef rock section with loads of fish, dens of lobsters and many other things. As you continue to swim you can head to the reef wall. We also in countered a huge great barracuda there abs I mean huge that seems to follow us a bit which at times was spooky I will say. Then we got back in our car drove all the way to the end of the beach road which is on the beach lol. We found a side road that actually lead behind Anthonys Key and then to a main road. All in all It Made for a fun half day way from all the main tourist attractions and we enjoyed another hidden gem all to ourselves once again. If you have a rental car explore the island there's more to Roatan then West Bay Beach lol.
6. Maya Key
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 441 reviews
11.5 acre private island conveniently located just three minutes across the bay from the Roatan cruise pier and 15 minutes away from Mahogany Bay Cruise Pier. This pristine island features two secluded Beaches, excellent snorkeling from a scenic pier, a 70,000 gallon swimming pool, 5,000 square foot lounge deck, lush garden paths bursting with indigenous flora and most recently an animal rescue center, artisan plaza and Roatan's finest cultural attraction, The Bay Island's Interpretation Center and Ethnic Honduran Art Exhibit Center.
Reviewed By Michael L - Winter Park
We visited as part of our stay at Anthoney's Key but anyone can arrange to go here. The island is well maintained and clean with hundreds of beach chairs to use and a nice lunch spot by the pool. I would try to go when there are no cruise ships using the island as I suppose it could get crowded. The small zoo is well stocked with native island species and if you time it right you can be on hand for feeding. Don't miss the sea lions. We found the snorkelling to be quite good here. I recommend bug spray though. With so many people, the sand fleas are everywhere.
7. Butterfly Gardens
Overall Ratings
4 based on 130 reviews
Reviewed By Guy C - Roatan, Honduras
Situated on the second floor of the Coconut Tree Resort where incidentally you have 'the best bang for your buck' you can see the ocean through palm trees swaying in the sunny breeze with crystal clear water where you can scuba dive for the cheapest rates in the world The dive shop is connected to the Coconut Tree Resort and you can get a package deal for accommodations and diving. See Rolando the manager at the Coconut Tree Resort for details. There is also a bar at the front of the restaurant.You will get great service from 'Memo' the bar tender whom has a great personality and will enter in a friendly discussion with you over a cold beer or what ever. The food is good and the atmosphere is nice being an open concept. They have a live entertainment once week. They also have a friendly cat which you can pet if you like cats. In all it is a good place to eat and relax with friends or alone. i would recommend it to anyone and I spend a lot of time there. They also have internet if you want to use your computer. Buen apetito!
8. Dolphin Encounter
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 206 reviews
Reviewed By ColoradoTourist - Evergreen, Colorado
I’ve wanted to swim with dolphins for years, and this didn’t disappoint. The experience was a couple hours. It started with learning about dolphins, and the second half was snorkeling with them. It was wonderful. There were times it was just me and five other dolphins. I highly recommend this.
9. Sandy Bay
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By Pepperjackm - Texas
There are 6 Beaches on Gibraltar :
1. Sandy Beach, 2. Catalan Beach, 3. Eastern or East Beach, 4. Western Beach, 5. Camp Bay and 6. Little Bay, some folks say Rosia Bay as well.
Some "beaches are artificial, as having been restored or fixed. Sandy Bay is one of those, see picture taken from the Upper Rock. It has an artificial reef/lagoon, which makes it warmer to swim in and has a sandy entrance and bottom, all added.
Unless it is season expect no facilities, at any public beach i.e. Umbrellas, lounges, chairs, etc. you must provide your own, and public cold water showers are at East Beach.
Camp Bay and Little bay have pools, look everything up.
Bus and cab service to Sandy, but they want you to be dry and clean in public transport.
Walk down the road ramp to the beach from Sir Miles Road, sunscreen.
