Snorkeling in Roatan: East End mangroves, reefs & Punta Gorda

Paddle through mangroves, then dive into the clearest water on the island

A guided tour of Roatan's East End combines snorkeling in the island's clearest waters with a paddle boat ride through mangroves at Oakridge, stops at historic Port Royal or the Garifuna settlement of Punta Gorda, and photo breaks at scenic viewpoints. The tour runs 4 to 5 hours with a live guide in English or Spanish, private transport, and snorkeling gear included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore East End and Garifuna Culture

• Photo stop at Pirate Ship
• Photo stops with island views
• Visit Oakridge mangroves
• Swim in natural ocean pool
• Explore Port Royal ruins
• Learn Garifuna history and culture
• Visit Punta Gorda community
• Try traditional Garifuna drink
• Watch or join Punta dancing

The experience

The tour starts with photo stops along the main road (a pirate ship replica and viewpoints across the island) before heading to Oakridge. There you board a paddle boat (no paddling required) that takes you into the mangroves, where you'll see how Roatan's first settlers built their homes in the water. The real draw is the natural ocean pool in the middle of the mangroves: you jump in from the boat into water so clear it feels unreal, and the snorkeling happens right there without a separate reef stop.

From Oakridge, the route branches depending on which option you choose. Port Royal adds the ruins of a 17th-century pirate stronghold: over 2,000 pirates once lived here, and you walk among cannon foundations and rubble on Fort Morgan Cay. Punta Gorda, on the island's northeast tip, introduces you to Garifuna culture and cuisine. If timing works, you might see the Punta, a traditional drum dance, and the guide will teach you the steps if you want to join. Some options combine all three stops, others focus on the mangroves and one additional site.

The vehicle is air-conditioned, and snorkeling equipment comes with the booking. A live guide speaks English and Spanish throughout, explaining the mangrove ecosystem, pirate history or Garifuna traditions depending on your route. The whole outing fits into a morning or afternoon, with pickup included.

What’s included

• Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• paddle boat ride through the mangroves.
• snorkeling equipment.
• a live guide in English or Spanish.
• all boat fees and access to each site you choose.

Options for this experience

6 options

Mangroves and swim optionGuide in English or Spanish · No fixed timeWe visit the Oakridge mangroves, a natural clearwater pool, and you can choose to go for a swim in the mangrove channel. Duration: 1 hour. We spend 1 to 1.5 hours at the Mangroves, where you have the option to swim in the clear mangrove waters. A must-do.

Mangroves, swim and Punta GordaGuide in English or Spanish · No fixed timeExplore Punta Gorda and discover the Garifuna people, a mixed African and indigenous population originally from the Caribbean island of St. Vincent. Duration: 1 hour. We spend between 0.5 and 1 hour at Punta Gorda, visiting the Flamingo Cultural Center and, if lucky, enjoying some punta dancing. At Wandugan, try traditional Garifuna food. Flamingo Cultural Center is an optional stop; tell our guide if you'd like to visit. The $5 to $10 per person fee is not included. Pickup is included.

Port Royal and snorkeling optionGuide in English or Spanish · No fixed timeOnce home to 2,000 pirates, Fort Morgan Cay now holds only the ruins of cannon foundations. An amazing snorkeling spot. Duration: 1 hour. We visit Port Royal, where you can enjoy some of the best snorkeling in Roatan. Pickup is included.

See 3 more options

Port Royal, snorkel and Punta GordaGuide in English or Spanish · No fixed timeWe'll visit Port Royal for snorkeling, then continue to Punta Gorda. Get ready for an amazing day! Duration: 3 hours. We'll spend around 1 to 1.5 hours at Port Royal and 1 to 1.5 hours in Punta Gorda, including a visit to the Flamingo Cultural Center and more. We stop at Wandugan for lunch, where the Garifuna food is excellent. Flamingo Cultural Center is an optional stop; let our guide know if you want to visit. The $5 to $10 per person fee is not included. Pickup is included.

Mangroves and Port Royal with snorkelGuide in English or Spanish · No fixed timeWe cover both: the Mangroves with a swim and Port Royal with snorkeling. Duration: 3 hours. We spend 1 to 1.5 hours at the Mangroves in Oakridge and another 1 to 1.5 hours at Port Royal. Pickup is included.

Mangroves, Port Royal and PGGuide in English or Spanish · No fixed timeThe full East End Tour, combining a swim at the mangroves, snorkeling at Port Royal and a visit to Punta Gorda. Duration: 4 hours. In Punta Gorda you can enjoy a traditional Garifuna lunch, and on Sundays there is punta dancing. We stop at Wandugan for lunch, where you can try Garifuna food. Flamingo Cultural Center is an optional stop; tell our guide if you want to visit. The $5 to $10 per person fee is not included. Pickup is included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Infant (under 5)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight 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 9 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Roatan Tour Guide Association

Is this one for you?Pick the option that matches your interests: Mangroves + Punta Gorda if you want culture and food, Port Royal if pirate history draws you, or the full three-stop route if you want to see everything in one morning. The paddle boat and snorkeling happen at Oakridge no matter which option you book, so the choice is really about what else you visit.

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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 (12 to 17 years); Child (5 to 11 years); Infant (under 5).

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's the water like when you snorkel in the mangroves at Oakridge?

The natural ocean pool in the middle of the mangroves is where you actually snorkel, and it's described as some of the clearest water in Roatan. You jump in from the paddle boat and explore right there without traveling to a separate reef site.

Can I visit Port Royal and Punta Gorda on the same tour?

Yes, one of the purchase options combines Mangroves, Port Royal, and Punta Gorda in a single 4- to 5-hour tour. You can also choose to visit just the mangroves with one of the other sites, depending on which option suits your schedule.

What was Port Royal used for, and what's left to see there?

Port Royal was a pirate stronghold in the 17th century, home to over 2,000 pirates and 500 houses. Today you see the ruins of Fort Morgan Cay: rubble, cannon foundations, and remnants of the old settlement scattered across the site.

What happens at Punta Gorda?

Punta Gorda is a Garifuna community on the island's northeast coast where the guide teaches you about their history, culture and heritage. You'll learn about traditional Garifuna cuisine and may see the Punta, a traditional drum dance. If you want to join in, you can.

Is snorkeling gear provided, or do I need to bring my own?

Snorkeling equipment is included with the tour. You just need to bring a bathing suit and be ready to jump in at Oakridge.