Weather

When planning a vacation to Roatan you should be aware that, like other countries in the Caribbean, the island is a tropical region with year-round warm temperatures. Monthly averages range from a low of 72°F (22°C) to a high of 89°F (31°C), and even the coldest night will still be comfortably warm.

The weather year round on Roatan is mostly sunny and markedly temperate when compared to northern climes. The seasonal differences are much more subtle than in northern latitudes, but they do exist.

February through May the easterly trade winds are moderate and rainfall is negligible. The ocean water begins to warm and air temperatures range from the high 70s °F to the low 80s °F.

June 1st marks the start of the tropical season in the Western Hemisphere. Roatan is well off the common major hurricane tracks; experiencing about one major hurricane every 20 years. From June through mid-October, skies are mostly sunny with a chance of intermittent rain showers.

By mid-October, ocean water temperatures are in the low to mid- 80s °F and air temperatures are in the mid-80s °F to low 90s °F. Trade winds are the strongest during the month of July.

In the Western Caribbean Sea, ocean water temperatures reach their peak around the middle of October. This coincides with the beginning of winter in the northern hemisphere. The cold fronts that bring snow to Canada and the USA make their way south to us, eventually. When this cool air mass collides with the warm tropical air, the result is rain.

During the fall and winter, when a cold front passes through, night time air temperatures can fall into the high 60s°F. Dive parkas, hoodies and hot chocolate are the order of the day. However, overcast skies and rain will soon give way to sunshine and higher temperatures.