CCV entries and exits

[FrogGremlin]

My wife and I will be at CCV in a couple of weeks: It's our first trip there. I haven't been able to find any information on the alternatives for getting into the water from shore or the piers, or out afterwards (or after a boat drop-off in the water).

We're in our early 60s. I'll be trying out a new metal knee (which is working pretty well and is approved for diving), and don't normally dive (or even travel) with booties. In and out via dock ladders would be fine. The shore doesn't look (from photos) to be suited to bare feet. How far will we be schlepping our tanks/weights/gear?

Any information would be appreciated.

 

[joystershell]

Don't sweat the shore diving, it's not a problem! Just a short walk from the dive lockers to the shore, then it's another short walk from the water's edge to the gear platform. It's a soft sandy bottom, so don't worry about going barefoot. Just a few rocks to be aware of. If it's too much of a walk for you, no worries! The divemasters are great, they'll carry your gear down to the water's edge, there's even a rack for your tanks right there. And, upon exiting the water, you can also leave your gear there for them to carry back to your locker for you. If you haven't checked out their website yet, please be sure to do so. The webcam and other pics will actually show the path through the water, from the platform to the beach.

Welcome to CoCo View Resort

Have a great trip! If you're like the rest of us, you'll be back, again and again, and again.

 

[herman]

Most all of the resort is either sand, grass or wood board walks. I make it a point to take my shoes off as soon as I get to the room and they do not go back on until time to go home....reliving my youth I suspose. The exit are is fairly flat and sandy and there is a tank rack at the waters edge where you can drop your tank if you so choose. The walk back to the gear locker is maybe 200 ft on flat sand. There are no piers to get on or off of. If all else fails, you can just do the morning and after noon first boat dive and not carry any gear at all...not my choice but it is an option.

 

[Doc]

....and about 25 feet later, you're on the sand....

Hard flat sand everywhere, even to walk on. Very few steps (they put up ramps for the divers with wheelchairs), three steps to the main clubhouse for chow and beers.

The boats? Learn the smart way to hand your gear up to the boatsmen- just tell them in advance!

Lots of grab handles with stainless ladders, two aft

and one that is lowered through the center of the boat through a moon well.

Go ask questions among the "CoCoNuts"... here's the message board: http://www.websitetoolbox.com/mb/ccv Find out who's going to be there, etc. It's not owned by CCV, so they really don't tell people about it.

And... You've already met the responders above- they're stopping by at CoCoChat all the time!

 

[Isaac-1]

When will you be there, my fiancee and I will be at Cocoview Sept 13-20. I have been to Cocoview twice before, however the last time was 19 years ago, so I am not up to date on changes, current boats, etc. As others have said it should be fairly easy, my biggest worries with shore entry and exit would be spiny sea urchins, when I was last at Cocoview they were plentiful in the shallow beach entry area (of course dive booties would not be much protection with them). From memory it seems like the walk from the gear locker to the beach entry may be a bit more than 200 feet, but not much, certainly less than 300 ft.

Ike

 

[FrogGremlin]

Thank you all for the quick (and reassuring) responses. Joystershell: Precisely what I needed to know. Herman: I'm with you 100% - Shoes are just one of many things I try to never wear on a dive trip. RoatanMan: The CocoNuts board is fantastic - We're still wading through the 197 "What to bring?" messages. Isaac-1: Sept. 8-20, so we'll see you there (and commiserate with you on the 20th about not staying longer)!

 

[Doc]

This image just showed up on CoCoChat today... this is what is two minutes out from your room:

photo by Mark Hicks

 

[Isaac-1]

I am interested to see how the Prince Albert has changed over the last 20 years (or how my memories have faded), from the photos it seems the growth is not that different.

Ike

p.s. any thoughts of being on Roatan during the Honduras independence day (Sept 15)?

 

[Doc]

I am interested to see how the Prince Albert has changed over the last 20 years (or how my memories have faded), from the photos it seems the growth is not that different.

I've had similar experiences.

It has been amazing to watch coral growth on this solid platform in the 20 to 45 foot range. It is well protected between the two close coral walls of the channel, and it is bathed in Sunlight due to the South Sid Exposure. It taught me a lot about growth!

It's an interesting study to watch the intense growth on the starboard fantail- the boat exposes it's back end to the SE, so it is well lit up by the life giving rays. This area has the most visible growth- large soft and hard Corals, etc. Along with that comes the myriad critters that thrive in that environment.

With a UV Blacklight, we scan that area and find a huge concentration of Corals that react to light and photo-floresce. See the pix at http://www.scubaboard.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=3033 On the upper starboard foc'sle ladder there is a football sized Coral that seems to be the focus of attention by many night divers from CCV. You learn pretty quickly that your dive light attracts creatures to the Corals and you get to observe them have a late night snack!

Here's a video of the Sinking of the Prince Albert. Prince Albert Footage - CoCo Chat

She is an intact Nicaraguan Tanker, 140' in length. She sits upright, nosed into 35fsw, and her tail bottoms out in 65fsw. The topmost point is at 22'. It's anchor chain was laid out by guests at CCV thru the coral heads to mark the path back to your room at CCV. It's easily recognized landmarks make night dives very inviting- it is common to have 15~25 or more divers go each night.

Not much out there like it.

 

[ScubaTim]

When was the actual date of the origional sinking of the P.A., and when was the date of its final resting point? Also, I have heard different versions of what happened when it was sunk and how it ended up where it is. I have heard it was just an "extended" sinking! Sorry this is probably not the right place to ask but i didn't think it had been there for 20 years?