Roatan Massage that Gives Back: Why I Love Island Massage School

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If you’re looking for the best Roatan massage that’s affordable, high-quality, and actually helps the local community—you’re going to love Island Massage School.

I’ve been going since their very first week open back in 2024, and it’s been so cool to watch them grow into one of the most welcoming, calming, and impactful wellness spaces on the island.

During my visits to Roatan in January 2025, I made sure to go back—twice. What started as a super simple setup has now transformed into a beautiful, peaceful massage space that’s perfect whether you’re looking to chill out on vacation or get some real relief from tension and pain.

Even better? Every massage helps train new therapists and create jobs for the local people of Roatan. Ready to learn more? Let’s dive in!

**I want to extend a huge thank you to Island Massage School for gifting me two free massages for the purposes of this blog post. While this post is sponsored by Island Massage School Roatan, all opinions are 100% honest and my own.

Michelle Roberts sitting on a bench outside of the Island Massage School Student Clinic in West End Roatan.

Table of Contents

Introducing: Island Massage School Roatan

I first learned about Island Massage School opening up in 2024 through the owner, Michelle, who I’ve known since I lived in Roatan in 2021. She had been planning something special for the community for a while, so it was really exciting to finally see it come to life.

When I booked my first massage shortly after they opened, the space was still very much a work in progress—bare walls, basic setup, and just enough to get started. But even then, you could feel the intention behind it.

Fast forward to early 2025, and it’s honestly wild how far they’ve come. What used to be a no-frills space has transformed into a soothing, professional, and peaceful environment that immediately puts your body and mind at ease.

You’ll find Island Massage School in West End, right next to the Petrosun gas station on the 2nd floor of the Turtle Building. (You literally can’t miss it—there’s a giant turtle on the roof.) It’s one of the best spots on the island to get a Roatan massage, whether you’re on vacation or a local, and it’s the only massage school of its kind on Roatan.

Fun fact: the Turtle Building is also a hotel—Hotel Los Corales, which is a great budget-friendly place to stay in Roatan.

Meet the Owners: Michelle & Tony

Island Massage School was created by Michelle Roberts and Tony Stone—a couple with very different backgrounds but a shared passion for wellness, community, and creating opportunities in Roatan.

Michelle is a graduate of the Canadian College of Hydrotherapy in Toronto, where she completed 2,200 hours of massage therapy training. She first came to Honduras in 2019 to start teaching massage in Lago de Yojoa—a lake region on the Honduran mainland.

After teaching on the mainland, it became her dream to open the first massage school in the country. She recognized the economic opportunity that massage could provide for Honduran men and women and was determined to create a program that offered both professional training and a pathway to financial independence.

Tony, on the other hand, grew up in Honduras and brings a completely different skill set to the table.

He studied aerospace engineering at Stanford and has spent the last 23 years working on economic and community development projects across the country. He helped build the microcredit foundation Adelante, founded the Honduras Chocolate Company, and is currently advocating for the completion of a new hospital in Roatan.

They opened Island Massage School in 2024 to combine their strengths and make a real impact in the local community in Roatan.

Michelle and Tony smiling for the camera on a sunny day in Roatan with palm trees in the background.

A Mission That Matters

One of the things that makes Island Massage School so special is that it’s not just a business—it’s a mission. Michelle and Tony created the school to open doors for the people of Roatan by giving them the training and tools to build a new career in massage therapy.

In a place where job opportunities can be limited, especially for women, learning massage therapy offers a path to financial independence, flexibility, and personal empowerment.

Every student who trains at Island Massage School gets hands-on experience through the Student Clinic, which also allows the community to access high-quality massages at incredibly accessible prices ($40 for a 60-minute massage and $60 for 90 minutes).

All students are accepted into the program with zero out-of-pocket expenses!

Michelle and Marilyn behind the front desk in the lobby of Island Massage School Roatan.

What to Expect During Your Appointment

Booking a massage at Island Massage School is quick and easy through their official website.

The space, located in the Turtle Building in West End, is calm, clean, and incredibly polished for such a young business—it’s come a long way in just a year. Every massage I’ve had there has been thoughtful, professional, and genuinely therapeutic.

You can also book a mobile massage if you’d rather have your session at your hotel or Airbnb, which makes it even easier to fit into your Roatan itinerary!

Services

Island Massage School might be new on the Roatan scene, but they offer a surprising variety of massage options that fit every type of traveler or local.

Student Clinic

Island Massage School’s Student Clinic offers professional-quality massages at an unbeatable Roatan massage price—just $40 for a 60-minute session or $60 for 90 minutes.

I booked two 60-minute massages during my last visit to the massage school, and they were exactly what my body needed. Sleeping on planes is the perfect storm for a lot of neck pain.

The Student Therapists are incredibly kind, welcoming, and professional—and as soon as they get started, it’s immediately clear they were trained by an expert massage therapist. I booked my most recent massages with Marilyn, but I also had an amazing massage from Juliette back in 2024.

Each massage supports student therapists as they complete their training—so don’t forget to leave a tip. Couples massages are also available at the same rates!

Marilyn, a student therapist, providing a massage in one of the clinic's treatment rooms.

Mobile Massage

Island Massage School also offers convenient Roatan mobile massage services, bringing professional treatments directly to your Airbnb or hotel.

To schedule, simply contact them via WhatsApp to arrange a time and location that works best for you. Keep in mind that mobile massage sessions have a 2-person minimum and are subject to availability.

**I recommend scheduling these sessions as far in advance as possible—the clinic is getting very popular and generally books up quickly!

Book Your Next Roatan Massage

The best way to book your next Roatan massage is directly through Island Massage School’s official website. Their calendar fills up quickly—especially during high season—so I definitely recommend making your appointment in advance to be sure you can get in during your trip.

You can also follow along on Instagram @islandmassageschool to stay up to date on new offerings, behind-the-scenes peeks at the student clinic, and their ongoing mission to support the people of Roatan through massage therapy.

Don’t forget to leave a review after your massage! The school already has plenty of fantastic Roatan massage reviews, but each one helps more travelers discover them and support their mission ❤️

A treatment room at the Island Massage School Student Clinic.

Plan an Epic Roatan Vacation

If you’re looking for a way to treat yourself on vacation and support the local community, getting a Roatan massage at Island Massage School is the answer.

You’ll walk out feeling refreshed, re-centered, and proud that your money is going toward helping local people on the island build strong, independent careers—I know I did!

I lived in Roatan for a year and have been coming back every year since—so when I say this place is special, I mean it. There’s so much more to experience here beyond the beach and the reef (although that’s also very special—I just took a Coral Restoration Course to help rebuild Roatan’s coral reefs).

If you’re in the middle of planning your first trip (or just need some new recs), I’ve got a whole library of Roatan travel guides to help you out. From the best local restaurants and liveliest beach bars to safety in Roatan and what to pack—I’ve covered it all.

Still have questions? Reach out anytime. And if you want more insider tips on Roatan (plus other travel inspo), make sure to join my email list for updates on new blog posts, island happenings, and destination guides from around the world!