Coco View - long walk from locker for shore diving?

[CajunDiva]

Hi,
Thanks for the reply and clarification about the boat dives. At first, I thought it was 2 boat dives rather than 2 boat trips with 2 dives each. I am sure they need to keep a schedule. I am thinking about Utilia also where there may only be 3 boat dives, but maybe with a more flexible schedule. What a pleasure to have such choices!
Thanks
JR

JR -

Fantasy Island Beach Resort is right next door to CocoView...they offer 3 boat dives to 3 different sites each day. We LOVE FIBR and visit a few times a year - definitely worth checking out.

 

[ronscuba]

If you have a dslr with big strobes then you have a legitimate concern. I shoot a 20lb+ video rig. Sometimes I would carry it the whole length to/from the lockers. Sometimes I drop it off/pick it up near the water on the bench at the clubhouse. All depended on my energy level.

That being said, there aren't many places with a good shore dive house reef where the dive lockers are next to the water. Habitat Curacao and a few places on Bonaire come to mind. Being a photographer, I'm sure you know what a great thing a good house reef is. The ability to come and go as you please, stay as long or as short as you want at a particular spot. If you like macro, then I think you'll enjoy Cocoview, even if the lockers are a little far for carrying a big photo rig.

 

[SpiderSense]

due to the great information from the good folks here, i have booked a trip to Coco View for September!

i'm considering bringing some sort of inner tube. to float a rig out to the platform and tie the float there during our dive. possible? since i just bought a 5dII rig, i'm thinking my wife can use my 5d rig. but since she had surgery last year, i don't think she can carry it to the platform. or maybe i can sell the 5d setup for a lighter point and shoot macro setup. two big rigs are just too obscene i think.

 

[Martha]

FIBR and all of the day-dive ops of the West End (Roatan) operate on a schedule that is more European/Asian in design. Three different (usually single tank) boat departures are scheduled throughout the day. Usually, they are 0900, 1200, 1500 or similar. In most cases, it is very very difficult for an individual to do three dives on any given day. This schedule is best suited for a two-a-day goal, and some leisure activities (sleeping is good!) in between. Many people will try to argue this saying that three-a-day is possible, and for some super energetic souls- it might well be.

I just returned from FIBR and I'm curious why you feel it's so difficult for an individual to do three dives on any given day while there. I'm no Spring chicken, and I didn't have any problem doing the 3 dives a day.

 

[Doc]

I just returned from FIBR and I'm curious why you feel it's so difficult for an individual to do three dives on any given day while there. I'm no Spring chicken, and I didn't have any problem doing the 3 dives a day.

My reference was a broad combination of three-boats-a-day operations.

My statement was largely focused on the West End dive-ops, of which there was a heated discussion here a few months back. Although the dive operators and frequent visitors were asked to lay out for us how it was possible that three dives a day could be done- even at a dead run- well, no one could demonstrate that. It proved to be better suited for two a day... plus lots of other non-dive diversions.

At FIBR, doing that three boats a day is certainly possible, if you hustle a bit. They depart at 9.00am to 11:15am and 2:30pm.

Boat #1: 09:00 depart, 09:15 moored and in water. 10:15 out, 10:30 return at dock.

You now have a max of 45 minutes to do whatever (not much).... if the first dive site was one of the close ones....

Boat #2: 11:15 leave dock, 11:30 moored and in water, 12:30 out of water, 12:45 returned to dock

Eat lunch, nap whatever for 2 hours and 45 minutes. Boat #3 leaves at 2:30

FIBR is laid out in the classic EurAsian dive day, it will be easy to make one of the two morning dives and the afternoon dive, but the clock and time is a tyrant. Making both morning dives is something very few visitors there do, not for 5 days in a stretch. I know, I've talked to the DM's and I have sat there and watched the operation. I can also watch the shore dive entry point- not a lot of traffic there, comparatively.

I prefer a set up that allows for 2 tanks on one morning boat, getting me two dives in by 11:45. If I jump on another two-tank boat at 2:00pm, I am done with 4 total by 4:45.

I do this every day for 12.5 days straight at CCV. I also pop in a night dive every night. And you think you're an old geezer?

We'll have to swap stories when we next are on Roatan together.

I just prefer the least amount of muss and fuss- and if that is less time spent getting off and on a dive boat- that's what works for me. Easy with high Nitrogen loading- that's my goal.

 

[mikemill]

I highly suggest that you all do an early morning dive also. Time it so that you go in while it is night and come out when it is light out. It is freakin awesome.

 

[parrotheaddiver]

Hey Martha...are you gonna do a trip report I would love to hear about your trip sounds like you had a great time...maybe we can get together when I get back

 

[SDSCUBA27]

Don't pass up the opportunity to dive with CCV. Our group has been going to CCV for over 10 years (many times twice a year). The variety and choice of dives are limitless. From the beach you can dive fantastic reefs, the Prince Albert wreck and of course the fabulous "front yard". Stan Waterman is well into his 80's now and has no problem with the walk.

The dive operation is one of the best in the world. Mr. Bill Evans knew what he was doing when he set it up and it does nothing but get better.

 

[Martha]

Hey Martha...are you gonna do a trip report I would love to hear about your trip sounds like you had a great time...maybe we can get together when I get back

I started working on it last night, but I'm not quite finished with it yet. I'll post it as soon as it's done.

 

[Doc]

Here's something interesting- this trip leader has taken his group to both CoCoView as well as Fantasy Island....

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