Maya Key or Turquoise Bay?

[KATHYMAC68]

Please help me decide from these 2 excursions.

Maya Key comes with lunch and Turquoise Bay is all inclusive.

I’m looking for a clean beach with clear water.

[KATHYMAC68]

Anyone???

[Guest 2000]

Have you looked at the pictures of Turquoise Bay on their website? They seem to suggest shallows like Sandy Bay. Roatan’s Best Dive Value | Turquoise Bay Dive Resort (turquoisebayresort.com)

 

Maya Key also has a website, and the water definitely looks clear. More possibility for snorkeling as well. Maya Key Private Island Retreat | Roatan

[KATHYMAC68]

Thank you!

I’m going with Maya Key. The animals and pool were the deciding factors.

[c-leg5]

12 hours ago, KATHYMAC68 said:

Thank you!

I’m going with Maya Key. The animals and pool were the deciding factors.

I have been to both although not recently.

 

i would return to both but they very different experiences and it would probably depend on who I was traveling with.

 

Not sure if you have any specific questions or needs?

[dctravel]

On 4/17/2024 at 7:04 PM, KATHYMAC68 said:

Thank you!

I’m going with Maya Key. The animals and pool were the deciding factors.

We did Maya Key on our Carnival Cruise recently. The snorkeling was excellent. You go off the end of a pier off the beach. They have guides for you. The beach itself is calm and clear. The animals are all rescues, many confiscated from travelers at the local airport. The food was good. You get a single pass through the food line. Bar has all kinds of drinks, but you pay as you go. We had a good time!

[KATHYMAC68]

2 hours ago, dctravel said:

We did Maya Key on our Carnival Cruise recently. The snorkeling was excellent. You go off the end of a pier off the beach. They have guides for you. The beach itself is calm and clear. The animals are all rescues, many confiscated from travelers at the local airport. The food was good. You get a single pass through the food line. Bar has all kinds of drinks, but you pay as you go. We had a good time!

How was the pool?

Was it safe to snorkel there? Someone posted that you’re in shallow water and the coral is high. They were getting cut up.

[c-leg5]

4 minutes ago, KATHYMAC68 said:

How was the pool?

Was it safe to snorkel there? Someone posted that you’re in shallow water and the coral is high. They were getting cut up.

My daughter got coral burn many years ago when she was suddenly caught in a strong current. As posted above sometimes there is someone guiding you and I think there are ropes or something now so it may be easier to stay on course.

 

we have enjoyed the pool. It is away from the beach.

[dctravel]

Coral is definitely shallow. I nicked my hand, but not seriously. Pool looked nice, but we didn’t go in. 

[attran99]

I don't see a cruise ship day pass available for Turquoise Bay.  Is that a ship excursion only?  I looks fabulous! 

Will look more into Maya Key.  We'll be traveling with our friends' two kids so it'll be nice for them about to be a place with an animal rescue center.

[KATHYMAC68]

1 hour ago, attran99 said:

I don't see a cruise ship day pass available for Turquoise Bay.  Is that a ship excursion only?  I looks fabulous! 

Will look more into Maya Key.  We'll be traveling with our friends' two kids so it'll be nice for them about to be a place with an animal rescue center.

There are excursions for Turquoise Bay all inclusive.

We went with Maya Key.

Are you on Royal Caribbean?

[c-leg5]

3 hours ago, attran99 said:

I don't see a cruise ship day pass available for Turquoise Bay.  Is that a ship excursion only?  I looks fabulous! 

Will look more into Maya Key.  We'll be traveling with our friends' two kids so it'll be nice for them about to be a place with an animal rescue center.

Not sure which cruise line you are with but usually multiple day passes to Turquoise Bay at different price points. cruise line would include transport. It is quite a distance from Coxen Hole and slightly less from Mahogany Bay. We went years ago before the resort was taken over and renovated and we just booked private transportation. I am fairly sure you can still book both ways but probably safer time wise with transport guaranteed through the ship.

 

Maya key is infinitely more convenient, especially from Coxen Hole with short boat ride directly to the island from the port side. There is also a small pool now within the port at Coxaen Hole and direct access to a beach if you are Mahogany bay.

 

 

Edited September 9 by c-leg5

[attran99]

@KATHYMAC68 @c-leg5 We're on with Carnival.  

I was on the Turquoise Bay website and saw that it was primarily for folks looking to stay at the resort.  Didn't see a day pass option.  I tend to like booking excursions independently rather than booking through the cruise line.

[c-leg5]

1 hour ago, attran99 said:

@KATHYMAC68 @c-leg5 We're on with Carnival.  

I was on the Turquoise Bay website and saw that it was primarily for folks looking to stay at the resort.  Didn't see a day pass option.  I tend to like booking excursions independently rather than booking through the cruise line.

OK then you will be at Mahogany Bay and have a beach right there. 
 

We did Turquoise Bay independently but as I said many years ago and although I would willingly do it again I would do it through the cruise line for convenience of travel. 
 

maya Key we also did independently many years ago when it first opened before it was taken over by Anthony resort and it became a cruise ship only excursion. It can be booked independently again now, primarily for people staying on the island but for cruise ship visitors this makes no sense with a tender directly from the port. (I believe this is still true for Mahogany Bay too unless things have changed I always dock at Coxen Hole.)
 

I understand you were also considering Little French Key? This is somewhere I haven’t been. I might have considered when it first opened but not been a consideration for many years - too many lies and too much greed. I think you would notice significant changes if you returned judging by online reviews.

Edited September 10 by c-leg5

[attran99]

@c-leg5 It appears that Turquoise Bay through the cruise line is pretty hefty.  I’m seeing packages that go for $500 or more for cabana/villa service.  Maybe a no on that.

 

We’re no looking to do a Mahogany Bay day…we’re spending plenty of time on the shop itself giving Carnival our money every day.  Looking to experience the islands/ports more since who knows when we’ll be here next.

 

Why would Maya Key be more complicated to get to than any other beach club?  Is it that the driver must be there to pick us up for the trip back to the ship?  Would Maya Key be able to arrange for a driver for us?

 

I see that there are significant issues with LFK now.  The nostalgia was what brought it up for consideration because our kids enjoyed their day there so much, but perhaps I should have Brady’s as an alternative.  What was great about LFK is all the facilities and activities for folks of all levels.  
 

This is why this board is so great…lots of experience and opinions to help others plan the ultimate vacation.

Edited September 10 by attran99

[c-leg5]

Last time I looked at Turquoise’s Bay there were different price points depending on the package you chose for location on the beach and food and drink. Perhaps these are not available any more, or are sold out for your sailing.

 

Maya Key is an island therefore you require boat transport, not a driver. Since the cruise lines arrange a boat transfer direct from the respective ports it makes no senses to take a taxi to and from the third pier where Maya Key arranges a boat transfer for hotel guests and independent guests. 
 

I have not been to Brady’s Key. It is a relatively new location.

[attran99]

Thanks, @c-leg5.  That is the most succinct answer, yet.  The Maya Key website does not make it that clear.

 

It'll be Brady's unless I can find a ziplining or catamaran adventure for us.

[c-leg5]

3 hours ago, attran99 said:

Thanks, @c-leg5.  That is the most succinct answer, yet.  The Maya Key website does not make it that clear.

 

It'll be Brady's unless I can find a ziplining or catamaran adventure for us.

YW.
 

There used to be a catamaran charter in the east end of the island that got good reviews but I haven’t seen it mentioned in quite a while so you would have to dig deep to see if it still in operation and not sure how suitable it would be for young children.

 

Maybe @crewsweeper remembers?

 

the drivers will always combine ziplines, snorkeling, beach etc whatever you require - you have them for the day to customize.

Edited September 10 by c-leg5

[crewsweeper]

@c-leg5I recall one out of Oak Harbor, but think it went out of business.