Hike to & Jump off the Keyhole Rope Swing

Like many of the best experiences on Roatan the elusive Keyhole Rope Swing is a bit of a local "secret" with rumors abounding as to who built it, who paid for it (it is known that Karl covered half), who maintains it, when is the best time to go and of course: just where is it, exactly?

Located on the windward side of the island between West End and West Bay, the Keyhole Rope swing is a wooden platform and telephone pole built on top of and anchored to Roatan's Iron Shore aka sharp, jagged, exposed coral. 

The rope swing itself swings out into one of several "keyholes" i.e. wave-carved inlets into the iron shore that depending on the weather wind, can be unwise to leap into unless you are interested in getting bruises from being slammed into the rocks as you climb out. Mornings are the best time to visit.

To get there take the West Bay Road from West End (or Coxen Hole) west towards West Bay and take the first left *after* Mar Vista Bay as you start to go down the hill. If you get to Keyhole Resort you have gone too far.

Follow the long, steep road all the way down until it dead ends in a cul-de-sac. There will be parking and an obvious trail (sometimes marked) that leads west through the jungle and across the coral / Iron Shore, eventually leading to a wooden walkway. As soon as you leave the jungle you will be able to see the platform.

Be respectful. Leave no trace. Pack in what you pack out. And be careful to check wind and ocean conditions before leaping 50' out into the ocean. You will likely want to schedule a cab or a van to take you back up the road to town.