Roatan wildlife & beach tour: Iguanas, sloths, West Bay

Customize your day with a personal guide for exploring and beach fun on Roatan

A guided wildlife and beach tour in Roatan pairs two animal sanctuaries with free time at West Bay Beach, the island's most popular stretch of sand. Your personal guide meets you at arrival, takes you to Arch's Iguana & Marine Park to see over 4,000 iguanas including the indigenous Black Spiny-Tailed species, then to the monkey and sloth sanctuary for education on each animal. The day ends with a 25-minute drive to West Bay, where you relax on white sand and clear water before a photo stop at the colorful Roatan sign.

Step-by-step itinerary

Wildlife tour and beach relaxation

• Meet MJ Tours representative
• Visit Arch’s Iguana & Marine Park
• Explore monkeys and sloth sanctuary
• Drive to West Bay Beach
• Relax at Bananarama beach club
• Visit colorful Roatan sign

The experience

The day starts with your guide meeting you at your arrival point, holding an MJ Tours sign with your name. From there, it's a short drive to Arch's Iguana & Marine Park in French Cay, established in 1980 to protect the iguanas. You'll spend roughly 30 to 45 minutes walking through the sanctuary, which now houses over 4,000 iguanas. The Black Spiny-Tailed Iguana, native to Central America, is the draw for many visitors.

Next comes the monkey and sloth sanctuary, where your guide educates you on each animal during a 45-minute stop. The two sanctuaries sit close to both cruise ship ports, so the whole wildlife portion fits neatly into a morning. Then comes a 25-minute drive down the island's north and south sides to West Bay Beach. The road itself offers views most visitors miss. Once you arrive, your guide takes you to Bananarama beach club, where restrooms, showers and a restaurant are available. West Bay is the island's most popular beach: white sand, clear water, and room to swim or float for as long as your schedule allows. Beach chairs and umbrellas rent for $15 per person and include Wi-Fi if you want them. Before heading back, you stop at the colorful Roatan sign for photos.

Your guide speaks English or Spanish and can adjust the day's pace or focus based on what interests you most. The whole tour runs about five hours. Air-conditioned transport, entry to both animal parks, and beach access are included. Food, drinks and beach chairs are on you.

What’s included

• Entry to Arch's Iguana & Marine Park and the monkey and sloth sanctuary.
• air-conditioned vehicle transport.
• entry to West Bay Beach.
• all fees and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day15 departure times: the first at 06:30, the last at 13:30

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (20 to 59 years) · Senior (60 to 85 years) · Youth (13 to 19 years) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 30

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by MJ Tours And Attractions

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want a personal guide who adjusts the day to your interests rather than following a fixed itinerary. The mix of wildlife education and beach time works for families, animal lovers and anyone who wants to see more than one side of the island in a single morning.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 19 years); Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What animals will I actually see at Arch's Iguana & Marine Park?

Arch's Iguana & Marine Park holds over 4,000 iguanas, with the indigenous Black Spiny-Tailed Iguana as the main species. The sanctuary was founded in 1980 specifically to protect them, and you'll spend 30 to 45 minutes walking through to observe them up close.

How much time do I get to spend at West Bay Beach?

West Bay Beach is your last major stop, and you have time to swim, float and relax on the sand before the photo stop at the Roatan sign. The exact length depends on your guide and the rest of your day, but it's a genuine beach break, not a quick stop.

What's included in the price, and what do I need to pay for at the beach?

Entry to both animal parks, transport in an air-conditioned vehicle, and beach access are included. At West Bay, food, drinks and beach chairs are separate. A chair and umbrella with Wi-Fi costs $15 per person if you want one.

Can my guide help me plan what we do, or is the itinerary set?

Your guide can design the day around your specific interests either before you arrive or when you get there. The wildlife parks and West Bay are the core stops, but your guide adjusts the pace and focus based on what matters to you.

How long is the drive from the animal parks to West Bay Beach?

The drive to West Bay takes about 25 minutes, and as you head down the island you see both the north and south sides. It's not just transport time. The views from the road are part of the experience.