Roatán is one of the Bay Islands of Honduras, in the Caribbean Sea. The island is near the largest barrier reef in the Caribbean Sea, and is the second largest reef worldwide, after Australia's Great Barrier Reef. It has become an important cruise ship and scuba diving destination in Honduras.

For many years the island was a hidden gem, with some of the most beautiful white beaches and the best snorkel and diving spots in the Caribbean, but it was 'discovered' around 2005 by cruise ships and hotel developers.

Tourists used to be mainly divers, but the islands beaches have attracted additional package tourists and cruise ships. Several cruise ship ports provide an influx of traditional cruise ship tourists to the island. You'll know when the cruise ships are in port because suddenly there are several thousand additional tourists on the beaches and in towns. It is best to avoid buying anything when cruise ships are docked, the prices of food, goods, and services generally double to quadruple to capitalize on the higher expendable incomes of the typical cruise ship passenger.

- Wikivoyage