Maya Key or Little French Key

[wardamnweagle]

We (two couples) will be in Roatan on Valentine’s Day on the Carnival Glory. My last cruise that stopped here I was with my brother and we booked everything thru CCL (parents request as he had just turned 18). We really enjoyed Maya Key for the snorkeling. As we are both very strong swimmers the lack of a guide and oversight was a benefit, not a drawback since we don’t have to follow a rope and stay in a group. The snorkeling was fantastic and we spent several hours in the water. 
 

On this trip my buddy would be up for scuba, but would be satisfied with snorkeling and has said that if he’s the only one he’d prefer to stay with the group. I’m not interested in scuba. Our wives would like to sit on the beach, drink fruity sugary drinks, and get massages, but any animal encounters are also welcome. 
 

Are either of these available as a “walk up” in the port? We are scheduled to be in port 8-5 and would like to visit the shops there before venturing out (I still regularly wear the $5 shirt I got in port there and am amazed it’s still in good shape). 

[Guest 2000]

Brady's Cay is the newest place on the map that many people on one of the Roatan FB pages seem very excited about. 

 

bradyscayroatan.org/home

 

The policies of Little French Key bother me. 

[AlohaLivin]

Definitely, not Maya Key - the animals there are not treated well and parts of the beach were honestly disgusting. The positive side is the lunch was very good. We have friends that used to like little French key, but I’ve heard such mixed reviews about it (but have no personal experience there).

[krusso80]

On 1/8/2024 at 1:19 PM, Guest 2000 said:

Brady's Cay is the newest place on the map that many people on one of the Roatan FB pages seem very excited about. 

 

bradyscayroatan.org/home

 

The policies of Little French Key bother me. 

Hi, sorry to ask but we are planning a Roatan excursion and are trying to decide on Little French Key or somewhere else. Could i ask which policies are bothersome? I am still on the fence about this place.

Thanks!

[Guest 2000]

16 minutes ago, krusso80 said:

Hi, sorry to ask but we are planning a Roatan excursion and are trying to decide on Little French Key or somewhere else. Could i ask which policies are bothersome? I am still on the fence about this place.

Thanks!

 

 

Little French Key has a long history of buying black market animals, animal abuse and environmental destruction.  There maybe threads  from the past here talking about it, there may also be information via Google.  LFK said they were going to clean up their act and find all the animals good homes after a nasty divorce but people going to Big French Key have seen the caged big cats. So, I don't recommend the place to anyone.  

 

Brady's Key has some very nice reviews including snorkeling...and if you like post to one of the Roatan FB groups or Trip Advisor for more information. 

[AlohaLivin]

15 minutes ago, Guest 2000 said:

 

 

Little French Key has a long history of buying black market animals, animal abuse and environmental destruction.  There maybe threads  from the past here talking about it, there may also be information via Google.  LFK said they were going to clean up their act and find all the animals good homes after a nasty divorce but people going to Big French Key have seen the caged big cats. So, I don't recommend the place to anyone.  

 

Brady's Key has some very nice reviews including snorkeling...and if you like post to one of the Roatan FB groups or Trip Advisor for more information. 

It was so sad to see. We don’t do any excursions of animals in captivity if we are aware and with this excursion we felt like we ended up in h@ll. I wish that all the cruise lines would better monitor what they offer to passengers. The conditions are just cruel,

Edited January 10 by AlohaLivin

[krusso80]

Wow. Thanks for the reply. We will take all that into consideration!

[c-leg5]

41 minutes ago, AlohaLivin said:

It was so sad to see. We don’t do any excursions of animals in captivity if we are aware and with this excursion we felt like we ended up in h@ll. I wish that all the cruise lines would better monitor what they offer to passengers. The conditions are just cruel,

Your post is very confusing.

 

You quoted a post about LFK ( and Brady’s BFK) and yet you said you went to Maya Key, reached directly from the port? Unless things have changed I am not aware of Royal excursions to LFK (it used to be available via Carnival at one time).

 

A quick search in advance would have provided images and prepared you for either place. Plenty of reviews, images and videos of both places available.

 

FWIW, and I don’t know how true it is, it was rumored Maya Key took some of the animals from LFK “to look after” them. A lot of political in-fighting on Roatan. I have never felt the cosy felt by many on this board. It has some natural beauty but I am always wary of visits there.

[AlohaLivin]

12 minutes ago, c-leg5 said:

Your post is very confusing.

 

You quoted a post about LFK ( and Brady’s BFK) and yet you said you went to Maya Key, reached directly from the port? Unless things have changed I am not aware of Royal excursions to LFK (it used to be available via Carnival at one time).

 

A quick search in advance would have provided images and prepared you for either place. Plenty of reviews, images and videos of both places available.

 

FWIW, and I don’t know how true it is, it was rumored Maya Key took some of the animals from LFK “to look after” them. A lot of political in-fighting on Roatan. I have never felt the cosy felt by many on this board. It has some natural beauty but I am always wary of visits there.

I was referring to Maya Key and also comparing it to Little French Key. I still think cruise lines should do their own checking and not leave it entirely to passengers. That was a general statement FYI not toward one excursion.

 

[wardamnweagle]

Thanks for the replies. Definitely sad to hear about the animals at Maya and LFK. I booked us a private day tour with Victor Bodden Tours and will visit their sloth/monkey sanctuary and then head to West Bay Beach.

[AlohaLivin]

24 minutes ago, wardamnweagle said:

Thanks for the replies. Definitely sad to hear about the animals at Maya and LFK. I booked us a private day tour with Victor Bodden Tours and will visit their sloth/monkey sanctuary and then head to West Bay Beach.

That is what we will do also our next visit also, the private tour with Bodden. And WarDamnEagle! 🧡💙

Edited January 11 by AlohaLivin