West Bay Beach — One of the World's Finest Caribbean Beaches
25 minutes from RTB — a 1.5-kilometer arc of white coral sand and turquoise Caribbean water that regularly appears on lists of the world's best bea…
Roatán — Bay Islands — Roatán. 15 min to West Bay Beach.
Roatán International Airport (IATA: RTB, ICAO: MHRO) is the most important tourism gateway in Honduras — the arrival point for the island that consistently appears on international dive media's lists of the world's finest reef destinations, and the access point for the Bay Islands archipelago that sits directly on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second-largest coral reef system in the world after Australia's Great Barrier Reef.
The airport is located in Coxen Hole, Roatán's administrative center, on the island's western end — 10 minutes from the main town, 20 minutes from West End (the dive hub and restaurant strip), and 25 minutes from West Bay Beach (consistently rated one of the top beaches in the Caribbean). At just 10 meters above sea level on this narrow, mountainous island, RTB has a runway that extends nearly to the water on both ends — one of the more dramatic arrival experiences in the Caribbean as the plane descends over the turquoise reef to a strip of tarmac framed by water on the horizon.
RTB receives direct international service from the United States (United Airlines from Houston) and from multiple regional carriers. It is also one of the most actively served airports in Central America by private charter — both for the luxury dive resort clientele arriving from Miami, Houston, and Bogotá, and for the inter-Central America private aviation network connecting Panama, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Belize.
For AeroRide clients, RTB is a frequently requested destination: the combination of world-class Caribbean diving, West Bay Beach's extraordinary quality, the authentic Garífuna culture of the island's eastern communities, and the accessibility of Utila's whale sharks (by boat or short propeller charter) creates a Honduras Caribbean experience that competes directly with the Maldives and Belize for the premium diving and beach traveler — at a fraction of the cost.
25 minutes from RTB — a 1.5-kilometer arc of white coral sand and turquoise Caribbean water that regularly appears on lists of the world's best bea…
The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef extends the entire length of Roatán's southern coast — 60+ named dive sites accessible by boat from West End or from…
45 minutes from RTB — Punta Gorda is the oldest Garífuna settlement on Roatán and one of the most culturally intact Garífuna communities in the Car…
For non-divers, Roatán's snorkeling is some of the finest accessible from shore in the Caribbean. West Bay Beach's reef edge begins at waist depth;…
The deep water off Roatán's northern coast generates excellent offshore fishing conditions — wahoo, mahi-mahi (dorado), and yellowfin tuna are the…
Roatán International Airport (IATA: RTB, ICAO: MHRO) serves Roatán and the Bay Islands of Honduras. 2,743m asphalt runway, 10m elevation, 24/7 operations. Located in Coxen Hole on Roatán's western end. The primary gateway for Bay Islands diving, West Bay Beach, and Caribbean Honduras luxury travel.
United Airlines operates direct service from Houston (IAH) to RTB. Regional carriers including CM Airlines, Avianca, and Copa operate connecting service from Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, and regional hubs. Seasonal charter service from the US and Canada operates during peak season (December–April).
Yes — AeroRide operates private charter flights from San José (SJO) to Roatán in approximately 1h 30min, and from Panama City (PAC) in approximately 1h 45min. These routes eliminate all connection logistics and deliver you directly to RTB with a resort transfer waiting on the tarmac. Contact us for pricing — for groups of 4+, the per-person cost is competitive with commercial business class.
Roatán is excellent year-round for diving (water visibility and temperature are consistent). The calmest seas and best beach weather are typically February–May and September–October. The driest period is March–April. December–January is high season with peak pricing. Whale shark season at nearby Utila (accessible by ferry or charter from Roatán) is March–May and August–October.
West Bay Beach is 25 minutes from RTB by taxi or resort transfer. All major resort properties on West Bay coordinate airport transfers. Water taxis between Coxen Hole dock and West Bay run regularly during daylight hours (15 min, BZD RTB FAQ Juan Manuel Gálvez International Airport — Frequently Asked Questions 0). Pre-arrange your transfer before arrival.
Roatán's diving is consistently rated among the top 10 Caribbean dive destinations by international publications. 60+ named sites, water visibility of 20–30m, water temperature 26–29°C year-round, and marine life density that includes 500+ fish species, hawksbill and green turtles, spotted eagle rays, nurse sharks, and occasional whale shark passes. The wall dives on the southern slope of the reef are the finest in the Bay Islands.
RTB has a 2,743-meter (9,000 ft) asphalt runway at 10m elevation. 24/7 operations. ICAO: MHRO. Handles all commercial and private aircraft including widebody jets.
Tell us your departure airport — we'll have a charter quote in minutes.