Fantasy Island

[driftwood]

Hi Jill,

Becky and me had to cancel a trip to Roatan. These were some of the links I found to be of interest. Hope they help!

Submarine Idabel, the "Yellow Submarine" - The Most Exciting Roatan Shore Excursion, Bay Islands Honduras
Roatan Air I Really want to go to Copan!
Bay Island Airways Packages Roatan An open cockpit seaplane takes you back to the golden age of aviation.
Pirates of the Caribbean Canopy - Roatan, Honduras This seemed to be the more extreme canopy zip line.
Sailing Charters on Roatan What can be better than sailing the Carib on your last day!.

The best single site for the island, was Dive Bay Islands.

 

[JillGadget]

Hi Jill, my non-diver wife and I were planning to go in April. Might change that if your LDS can get a better deal. I am quite close to you. What DS are you with?

how does $1695. sound from April 19 - 26th leaving from Philadelphia airport? Airfare alone is over $800./per via expedia or travelocity.

PM me if want more info.
Jill

 

[JillGadget]

Hi Jill, my non-diver wife and I were planning to go in April. Might change that if your LDS can get a better deal. I am quite close to you. What DS are you with?

Hi Jill,

Becky and me had to cancel a trip to Roatan. .

Thanks for that info... looks like my Hubby is cancelling his trip. We think he needs back surgery before we leave. IM STILL GOING!!!! Im not mean... He wants to have the surgery asap so he can be healed in time for our summer dive season (which I dont dive in cold water) Trade-off

Must have been a bummer having to cancel.

 

[JillGadget]

Thanks for that info... looks like my Hubby is cancelling his trip. We think he needs back surgery before we leave. IM STILL GOING!!!! Im not mean... He wants to have the surgery asap so he can be healed in time for our summer dive season (which I dont dive in cold water) Trade-off
.

UPDATE: My hubby is going... Doc said no surgery right now..Woo whooooo:monkeydan

 

[flstarfish44]

Just because I'm being lazy and don't feel going to look for this answer myself here...

...does Roatan have decent shore diving? Or is it all pretty much from a boat?

How are the reefs there? What kind of condition are they in and do you see a good variety of fish? (frankly, i'm fine with never seeing another blasted parrotfish for quite some time)

thanks so much!

 

[pir8]

Just because I'm being lazy and don't feel going to look for this answer myself here...

...does Roatan have decent shore diving? Or is it all pretty much from a boat?

How are the reefs there? What kind of condition are they in and do you see a good variety of fish? (frankly, i'm fine with never seeing another blasted parrotfish for quite some time)

thanks so much!

Probably depends on where/who you stay with . I did FI back in 2004 and they shared a shore site with another resort. I had a great time there by the way and highly recommend Waihuka for the Shark Dive.

 

[JillGadget]

Just because I'm being lazy and don't feel going to look for this answer myself here...

...does Roatan have decent shore diving? Or is it all pretty much from a boat?

How are the reefs there? What kind of condition are they in and do you see a good variety of fish? (frankly, i'm fine with never seeing another blasted parrotfish for quite some time)

thanks so much!

I believe they have a wreck off the shore you can reach, along with reefs. Small stuff like seahorse's and squid, Sounds different than Key's diving. You being in Orlando prob bored with parrotfish and grouper.... I've been told this has lots of different things then Keys. Let ya know after April on that one!

 

[Doc]

Just because I'm being lazy and don't feel going to look for this answer myself here...

Too bad, it's on a thread that was last posted on today, right in this forum http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/bay-islands/216389-coco-view-shore-dive.html There is a similar thread running parallel to it asking about the same dive from the other resort. There is the CoCoView Dive and there is the Fantasy Island dive. Very much so different as far as ease of access, but you do end up in the same area from either entry point.

...does Roatan have decent shore diving? Or is it all pretty much from a boat?

The only legit shore dive is described in above citation. I've done it maybe 300 times, I have done all of the other "claimed-to-be" shore dives on Roatan at least once.


How are the reefs there? What kind of condition are they in and do you see a good variety of fish? (frankly, i'm fine with never seeing another blasted parrotfish for quite some time)

Depends upon where you dive. The South side is unique in the Caribbean, some similar varieties as found in Belize. Being even more protected, the reefs along the South of Roatan are known to have the largest varieties of soft and hard corals in the Caribbean. If you are a fan of the Humann/Deloach Reef Critter ID Books, the South side is where you can find all of the many little creatures... it is a shallow and lush garden- most corals top out in 5-15fsw and break straight down to 90 feet at sand. Most of the life is above 45fsw. It is advanced diving in that it requires advanced observational skills and great bouyancy to get the full effect. Those that follow a good DM closely and carry a magnifying glass and flashlight... they're the ones who walk away understanding what make Roatan unique in the Caribbean

The North Side holds its fans as well. The Marine Reserve status has led to an explosion in larger Groupers and Parrotfish and the like. It is a lot closer to the night life on West end.

The reefs looked better yesterday and will look worse tomorrow. The future has arrived at the Bay Islands. As far as ease of accessability of an island, the Bay Islands are the place to see, right now, before it goes Cayman on us.

thanks so much!

In that you asked about shore diving, that is how I slanted my answer. Go do the Bay Islands now.

 

[Cajuncru Diver]

Jill: The wife and I go to Roatan on a regular basis. You (if as you say don't require a 5 star resort and daily mud packs) are going to love Fantasy Island. We just returned from our last trip in mid December. The major renovation work that was being done on two wings was completed the week we left. Robert and the staff at the dive shop are great and can take care of all your needs.....one thing I do strongly recommend is a product called Cactus Juice(or if not available standard Deet product like deep woods Off)for the "no see ums"---sand flees If you hang out on the beach at Fantasy Island (or anywhere else on the Island) use liberally or you will regret it.
Relax, don't worry.....I guarantee you will "be happy" with and at Fantasy Island

 

[peterbj7]

Or eat garlic