West End, Roatán: Things to Do, Half Moon Bay & How to Get There

Roatán's laid-back dive village: one waterfront road of dive shops, restaurants and beach bars, a calm little bay for swimming, and some of the island's best sunsets.

West End is the small village on the western tip of Roatán, about 30–45 minutes by road from the airport. It's where divers base themselves, where the island goes out to eat, and where the sun drops straight into the Caribbean every evening. Unlike resort-lined West Bay next door, West End is a real village: about a mile of restaurants, bars, dive shops and small hotels along one road by the water, all within walking distance. This guide covers the beach, the best things to do, where to eat and stay, and how to get to West End and around it.

Where Is West End?

West End sits on the west coast of Roatán, between Sandy Bay and West Bay. The village follows one main road along the water, with Half Moon Bay at its northern end. Open West End in Google Maps.

The water off the village is part of the protected Sandy Bay–West End marine reserve, and the Roatán Marine Park, the local non-profit that looks after the reef, is based right here. Do your part: don't touch or stand on coral, don't feed the fish, and use reef-safe sunscreen.

West End's Beach: Half Moon Bay

Half Moon Bay is a small, palm-fringed crescent of sand with calm, shallow water: the easiest swim in the village and a good place for a first snorkel. Coral starts close to shore, and the reef at the mouth of the bay, about 200 meters out, is where the bigger fish hang out.

West End has heavy boat traffic, so stay close to shore, tow a visible float if you head out to the reef, or go with a guide. For the best snorkel spots around the island, with map links, see our snorkeling and diving guide. Want a long, wide beach for the day? West Bay Beach is a short water-taxi ride away.

The Best Things to Do in West End

Dive the West End reef

West End is Roatán's dive capital. Dive shops line the main road, and sites like West End Wall and Half Moon Bay Wall are only minutes away by boat. Not certified yet? You can do an introductory dive or earn your Open Water certification right here; our snorkeling and diving guide explains the options. ROA LIVE doesn't run dives itself, but we can connect you with trusted, certified dive centers. Just contact our team.

Snorkel with a guide, by day or by night

Our guided snorkeling tour departs from West Bay or West End, with gear included and a local guide who picks the best reef for the day's conditions. After dark, the night snorkeling tour explores the West Bay–West End reef when the nocturnal creatures come out. Want to go deeper without a certification? Try SNUBA.

Watch the sunset from the water's edge

West End faces west, so the sun sets straight over the Caribbean. Grab a table at one of the beach bars along the water about 30 minutes before sunset. Our Roatán restaurant guide has the best spots.

Walk the village

The village is made for walking: about a mile of dive shops, cafés, souvenir and art stores, and small guesthouses along one road. Mornings are slow and quiet; by evening the strip fills with people heading to dinner and the bars.

Hop over to West Bay

Water taxis run between West End and West Bay during the day, about 10–15 minutes across the water, so it's easy to spend the morning on West Bay Beach and come back for dinner. After dark, go by road instead. Prefer to walk? Along the shore it takes about 30–45 minutes.

Day trips from West End

Good day trips from West End include a full-day boat trip to Pigeon Cay to snorkel with nurse sharks, the glass bottom boat for non-swimmers, and the snorkeling, dolphins & mangroves combo. See all our tours and activities, and when you book, tell us you're staying in West End so we can confirm where to meet.

Where to Eat and Drink in West End

West End has the island's widest choice of places to eat, from baleadas and fresh ceviche at local spots to Argentinian grills, vegan-friendly cafés and seafood on the beach. It also stays lively later than West Bay: many places serve until late, and the bars along the strip are busy most nights. For our curated picks for breakfast, sunset drinks and dinner, see the West End section of our guide to where to eat in Roatán.

Where to Stay in West End

Lodging in West End is small-scale: boutique hotels, dive lodges, guesthouses and vacation rentals, most a short walk from the water. Stay in the center if you want to walk to dinner; choose the edges of the village if you'd rather sleep away from the bar noise. For specific hotels, and whether West End or West Bay suits you better, see our West Bay vs West End guide.

How to Get to West End

From the airport (RTB)

West End is about 30–45 minutes by road from Roatán International Airport. Taxis wait outside the terminal, but they don't use meters, and at busy times you'll queue for one. With a pre-booked private airport transfer, your driver waits for you with a sign, and the price is agreed before you land. Full details in our airport to West Bay and West End guide.

From your cruise ship

Both cruise piers, Mahogany Bay and the Port of Roatán in Coxen Hole, are about 30–45 minutes from West End by road. Our cruise port transfer takes you there and back with plenty of time before all-aboard. Just choose West End in the request form.

Getting around

You won't need a car in the village: everything is within walking distance. Use the water taxi to reach West Bay by day, and a trusted driver for longer trips or late nights. Our guide to getting around Roatán covers every option.

Is West End Safe?

West End is one of the busiest and most visitor-friendly parts of Roatán, and walking around the village by day and along the main road in the evening is normal. Use the same common sense as anywhere: don't leave valuables alone on the beach, and for longer distances at night, use a trusted driver rather than walking unlit roads. More in our honest guide: Is Roatán safe?

Practical Tips for West End

• Bring cash in small bills. US dollars and lempiras are both accepted. There are only a few ATMs around West End, and they can run out of cash or go offline, so don't count on them.
• Pack insect repellent. Sand flies bite on the beach, especially around sunrise and sunset; a repellent with picaridin or DEET helps.
• Use reef-safe sunscreen, or wear a rash guard, to protect both you and the reef.
• Watch for boats when you swim. Stay close to shore or tow a float.
• Water taxis run by day. Plan your return from West Bay before dark, or go back by road.

West End FAQ

How far is West End from West Bay?

About 10–15 minutes by water taxi during the day or by road, or 30–45 minutes on foot along the shore.

How far is West End from the airport?

About 30–45 minutes by road. Book a private transfer so your driver is waiting when you land.

Can you snorkel from the beach in West End?

Yes. Half Moon Bay has calm, shallow water and coral close to shore, with the reef at the mouth of the bay about 200 meters out. Watch for boat traffic, or join a guided tour.

Is West End or West Bay better?

West End is better for diving, dining, nightlife and walking everywhere; West Bay has the long white-sand beach and the big resorts. Our West Bay vs West End guide compares them side by side.

Do I need a car in West End?

No. The village is walkable, the water taxi covers West Bay, and a private driver is the easiest way to the airport, the cruise port or the rest of the island.

Photos via Wikimedia Commons: cover, aerial view of West End by Nosferattus (CC0); Half Moon Bay by rh43 (CC BY 3.0); West End's main road by Banja-Frans Mulder (CC BY 3.0).