Our Climate.
Roatan Weather.
Roatan Weather allows for year round travel. The average high is 89.6°F (32°C), which occurs June thru September. The annual lows come in late January with average temperatures reaching 77°F (25°C). Most prefer the to visit Roatan between March and August. Roatan can be enjoyed even in the rainy season. Roatan's rainy season is ever-changing. Scattered showers are followed by sunny afternoons which in turn are followed by more scattered showers. On few occasions, the rain comes and its stays. Few experiences are more exciting than that of a tropical storm roaring through a tropical island. February is known for stringing together consecutive rainy days. By contrast, the month of September records similar rainfall, but the rain comes by way of scattered showers. February is quiet until the rain comes and then it stays for a few days at a time.
Rain.
Traveling to Roatan during the rainy season has its upside. During Roatan's rainy season, temperatures are cooler, and crowds are usually smaller. Tourist get a better bargain during this rainy season on room and board and across other products and services. There are several onshore activities which can be done regardless of the weather. Many tourists have enjoyed the excellent weather in January at half the going rate only because they chose to travel to Roatan during it's "low" season. It is important to remember the essential items like bug spray when planning your trip. Visit the travel check list for a short list of items that are often forgotten.
Wind.
Roatan has an East-West orientation. But winds blow across the island in a North-South direction. Generally speaking, the winds blow from the south. But when a "Frente Frio" (a cold front) rolls around, winds blow from the north. This is particularly useful knowledge to both fishermen and scuba operations on the islands because depending on the wind, operators will offer their services on the calm side of the island. And while waters are more turbulent on the southern side of the island for most of the year, the entire island can be fished, and scuba diving is excellent around the entire islands. It's only when winds pick up that a choice has to be made one way or another.
Humidity.
Tropical climates typical bring with them some level of humidity and Roatan is no exception. Roatan experiences mild humidity when temperatures reach 90°F. These temperatures are comparable to the southern regions of the United States. The dew point is a better indicator of comfort. Roatan does not have a season of drought, also known as the "dry season." Travelers from the US are usually pleased to learn that weather in Roatan is far more pleasant than you might find during the summer elsewhere. Roatan offers excellent weather for both water and shore based activities.
About Our Weather.
Hurricane Zone.
Roatan is situated outside of the Hurricane Zone. The island of Roatan is too far west to be affected by most annual hurricanes. In fact, hurricanes only come across Roatan once every 26 years. So feel free to plan ahead and travel to Roatan even if you're considering traveling to Roatan during hurricane season.
Roatan sits outside the energy corridor, so it doesn't see too many hurricanes. However, In 1998, several communities of the island were negatively impacted by Hurricane Mitch, a category five storm. Most of the major damages were suffered on the neighboring island of Guanaja. That was the last hurricane that affected our island.
Busy Season.
Cruise ships start to arrive on the island in mid-December and continue to port in Roatan throughout the year. But the heavy season ends just after Easter. Not surprisingly, this is the time of year where crowds are the heaviest and accommodations are the most expensive. Products and services in Roatan are in high demand during the business season. Roatan's high season also offers the most flexibility in air travel. Airlines offer extended schedules and even schedule additional flights into Roatan. May, June & July and sometimes even August represent normalized crowds into Roatan. The traffic into the Isla Roatan is not as heavy and remains constant during these summer months.
Low Season.
September marks the start of the low season in Roatan. But not until September 15th, which is when Honduras celebrates their independence day. During this week, Roatan holds its annual fishing tournament, and the island is packed with fishermen, tourist, and local vendors. After mid-September, things die out and remains quiet until mid-December when cruise ships start to port in Roatan all over again.
Rain Preparation.
Like in all things, a little planning can go a long way in making sure you get the most out of your upcoming trip to Isla Roatan. Below are a few tips for making it through a rainy day in Roatan:
Pack a Microfiber Towel. These are compact towels which you can carry around in your personal bag. The rainy season in Roatan is unpredictable. But having a towel within reach can make the difference between having a bad day and staying comfortable.
Pack a Deck of Cards. Playing cards is relaxing and enjoyable. This is the case especially if you find yourself on a wooden deck with an ocean view. The sound of rainfall crashing down on tropical leaves while listening to reggae music is hard to beat.
Cost Saving Tips.
Roatan offers low-cost alternatives for those looking to save a few bucks while enjoying the natural beauties of Roatan. Crowds can be managed as well by choosing the right part of the island to stay in and being selective about what time you embark on your site visits. But the weather in Roatan can be hard to predict especially during the rainy season. So be prepared. Average low temperatures and average high temperatures in Roatan vary by 15°F. And average temperatures inside a certain season vary by only 8°F. In short, Roatan is always a prospect when considering your next Caribbean vacation.
Travel Tips.
Weather is a large variable in any vacation. Many take the time to keep up with weather reports in the days leading up to a vacation, but few prepare well. I finally came around, and I purchased a quality backpack which traveled well and was not bulky. A feature common in travel backpacks is a waterproof tarp. And let me be the first to say, that few pieces of gear do more to protect against Roatan's rainy season as does a quality bag with a built in rain tarp. Vacations don't come easy. So when they do, make sure you are prepared for things you can control, and the weather is without a doubt a controllable aspect of a vacation.
