Explore the East End on a Private Roatan Mangrove Tour
Discover a quieter side of the island on a private Roatan mangrove tour through the East End. Visit Oak Ridge, travel by private boat through the Jonesville mangrove tunnels, enjoy a stop at Crickett Lagoon, and learn about Garifuna heritage in Punta Gorda.
This experience blends coastal scenery, local communities and cultural exchange rather than a conventional West Bay beach day. At Fish Crawl marine rescue refuge, learn how rescued marine animals are cared for and released once recovered. You might see sea turtles, lobsters, conchs, tarpon, sergeant majors or other fish, depending on which animals are currently receiving care. Animal sightings, especially turtles, are not guaranteed. Your local bilingual guide also introduces you to Garifuna heritage in Punta Gorda. A Garifuna dance performance must be requested in advance in the comments or notes section at checkout and is subject to confirmation.
Ground transportation, your guide and the mangrove boat are reserved for your group. The tour takes approximately 5–6 hours, including transfers, with pickup from your cruise port or accommodation. Other visitors may be present in villages and attractions. Meals, drinks, tastings and full reef snorkeling are not included in the base experience.
Itinerary & timingOak Ridge · Jonesville · Crickett Lagoon · Punta Gorda
Allow approximately 5–6 hours for the base experience, including ground transfers. The order of stops may change with road conditions, weather, boat operations and your ship's schedule. Adding full snorkeling requires extra time.
- Start
Private pickup & drive to Roatan's East End
Meet your bilingual local guide at the arranged cruise-port or accommodation pickup point. Travel in your group's air-conditioned vehicle toward the island's eastern communities.
Oak Ridge waterfront village
Discover the character of this waterside community, where homes, boats and daily life are closely linked to the sea. Meet your local boat crew for the mangrove portion of the experience.
Fish Crawl marine refuge visit
Visit a marine rescue refuge where fish and other sea animals—including some injured by boat motors—receive care. When animals recover and are ready, they are released back into their environment. Depending on current rescues, you may see turtles, lobsters, conchs or fish such as tarpon and sergeant majors. No particular species is guaranteed to be present. Please follow the refuge staff's instructions.
Jonesville mangrove tunnels by private boat
Glide through protected mangrove channels and observe the natural root systems and coastal scenery. Learn how waterways have shaped life and travel in this part of Roatan.
Crickett Lagoon scenic & swimming stop
Pause at the lagoon and take a swim if conditions allow, or simply enjoy the landscape. A full guided reef snorkeling activity is available as a separately priced add-on.
Punta Gorda Garifuna cultural experience
Visit this historic Garifuna community to learn about its living traditions. Interested in a Garifuna dance presentation? Request it in advance by writing “Please arrange a Garifuna dance presentation” in your booking comments or notes at checkout. A performance is not automatically scheduled and depends on advance confirmation. You may ask about local dishes such as machuca; food and beverages are paid separately.
- Return
Scenic stops & transfer back
Make any feasible photo stops on your return route before heading back to the confirmed drop-off point. For cruise guests, we plan the itinerary around the ship's published schedule and all-aboard deadline.
What's includedThe base experience & extra costs
Included in your tour
- Private round-trip air-conditioned ground transportation
- Pickup and return from your agreed cruise-port or accommodation meeting point
- Local bilingual English- and Spanish-speaking guide
- Private boat excursion through the East End mangrove channels
- Fish Crawl marine rescue refuge visit (animal sightings depend on current rescues and releases)
- Crickett Lagoon stop; swimming when conditions permit
- Punta Gorda cultural visit; Garifuna dance presentation only when requested in advance at checkout and confirmed
- Scenic/photo stops within the confirmed route
Not included
- Full guided reef snorkeling (optional paid add-on)
- Lunch and other meals, including machuca
- Drinks and tastings, including Guífity
- Additional paid attractions outside the itinerary
- Personal purchases and gratuities
Cruise port & hotel pickupCoxen Hole · Mahogany Bay · Island accommodations
Arriving by cruise ship
Tell us your ship name, arrival port and schedule when booking. We arrange pickup for guests arriving at Coxen Hole and Mahogany Bay (Isla Tropicale), with separate meeting instructions for each terminal.
We work toward a return to port at least 90 minutes before your ship's scheduled departure, while taking its communicated all-aboard time into account. Your cruise line does not guarantee that it will wait for an independent excursion.
See cruise port pickup instructionsHotel, resort or Airbnb guests
Share the name and location of your accommodation so our team can coordinate pickup and return. Tour timing is adjusted to the confirmed schedule.
Know before you goWhat to pack & responsible visiting
- Wear comfortable walking shoes and clothing suitable for boat boarding and changing weather.
- Bring a sun hat, sun protection, towel and swimwear if you plan to swim at the lagoon.
- Keep electronics and important belongings protected from water while on the boat.
- Share any mobility needs or concerns about boarding a small boat before booking so we can discuss what is feasible.
- Request any Garifuna dance presentation in advance in the comments or notes field at checkout, so our team can check arrangements with the local performers.
- Fish Crawl rehabilitates rescued marine animals and releases them once recovered. Turtles or any other specific species may not be present during your visit.
- Ask permission before photographing residents or cultural performers and follow local hosts' instructions.
- Protect the mangroves and marine life: do not break roots, litter or disturb wildlife.
- Bring a payment method for lunch, drinks, tastings or other optional purchases.
Optional reef snorkelingSeparate fee · Time & conditions permitting
The standard Roatan mangrove tour includes the lagoon stop but not a full reef snorkeling excursion. If your group wants more time in the water, ask about the paid snorkeling add-on when planning your itinerary.
Equipment, duration, participation requirements, final pricing and the snorkeling location must be confirmed for your selected add-on. Sea conditions and your cruise schedule may limit what can be added.
Prefer a tour focused on the reef? Explore our private Roatan snorkeling tour .
Frequently asked questionsPrivate tours, culture, logistics & costs
Is the Roatan mangrove tour private?
Yes. Your ground transport, local guide and mangrove boat are arranged for your group. Oak Ridge, Fish Crawl, the mangrove waterways and Punta Gorda are not closed to other visitors.
Where are the mangrove tunnels in Roatan?
The boat portion explores mangrove waterways around the island's East End, including Jonesville. Your route also includes a visit to the waterfront community of Oak Ridge.
Is a Garifuna dance presentation included automatically?
No. The tour includes a cultural visit to Punta Gorda, but a dance performance must be requested in advance. Write your request in the comments or notes section at checkout so our team can check and confirm arrangements with local performers. The Garifuna language, dance and music are recognized by UNESCO as part of humanity's intangible cultural heritage. Learn about Garifuna heritage at UNESCO .
Will we see sea turtles at Fish Crawl?
Not necessarily. Fish Crawl cares for rescued marine animals, including some harmed by boat motors, and releases them once they have recovered. Depending on which animals are being treated during your visit, you might see turtles, lobsters, conchs, tarpon, sergeant majors or other fish. Sea turtles and other animal sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Can we swim or snorkel during the tour?
Swimming at Crickett Lagoon is an included option if conditions allow. Guided reef snorkeling requires an additional booking and fee.
Are lunch, drinks or a Guífity tasting included?
No. Meals, drinks and tastings are paid separately. Let your guide know if you would like a local food stop and we can discuss timing.
How long does the mangrove and Garifuna cultural tour take?
Plan for approximately 5–6 hours for the base itinerary and transfers. Extra activities and traffic conditions can affect total time; your team confirms an appropriate schedule when you book.
Can cruise passengers book this tour independently?
Yes. We arrange pickup at the agreed meeting point for both cruise terminals. Provide your ship details so the route can be assessed against your all-aboard time and planned return.
How do I reserve, and is the $50 payment extra?
Book using the reservation form on this page. You may pay in full or make a $50 advance payment that counts toward your tour total; it is not an additional security deposit. The remaining balance is paid on arrival under our standard tour terms.
Booking & cancellation24-hour cancellation window · Cruise no-dock protection
You can reserve with a $50 advance payment applied to the reservation total or pay in full. Verify the number of travelers, taxes, final amount and any paid extras in the booking form before checkout. To request Garifuna dancing, add your request in the comments or notes field at checkout, in advance of your tour date. Our team will confirm whether the presentation can be arranged.
Cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled tour for a full refund. If your cruise ship cannot dock in Roatan, the tour payment is refundable under the published policy. Cancellations within 24 hours are generally non-refundable; documented exceptions are described in the full terms.
If your cruise schedule changes, contact us as early as possible so we can discuss whether an adjusted itinerary is feasible. No private excursion can guarantee that a cruise ship will wait.
Read the complete cancellation & refund policy