AKR in September - high winds and diving...

[andrethediver]

We are planning a trip to Roatan in the beginning of September. Based on the information I've gathered we are thinking of staying at Anthony's Key. I also understand that Northern winds officially start around this time - is that correct? What does AKR diving operation do when the winds are high on the North side? Do they still go out and do 3 boat dives a day on that side of the island or do they ever go around the island when the sea is particularly rough? Do they ever cancel the dives because of the wind? Also- how is the shore diving there? Thanks for any information on diving around this time of year.

 

[John_B]

When I was on Roatan last November, we saw a bunch of the AKR boats over on the southside. Someone who did the dolphin encounter thing told us the normal AKR divesites were undiveable due to high winds from an El Norte, so they were getting one dive in a day by sending divers on the ARK shuttle bus over to the south to meet the boats, since the southside of the island is the leeward that time of year.

Isn't early September a little soon for El Norte's? That's technically still hurricane season in the Caribbean.

Why not call Anthony's Key and ask them how they handle it?

 

[CajunDiva]

In September I would be much more concerned with the possibility of a hurricane than northern winds. Septemberr/October is prime time for hurricanes...wherever you go, trip insurance is advisable :shocked2:

 

[robint]

as the others said, Sept is hurricane season, not the winter northly windy season. Get trip insurance in case you need to cancel due to hurricane.

 

[RTBDiver]

In September I would be much more concerned with the possibility of a hurricane than northern winds. Septemberr/October is prime time for hurricanes...wherever you go, trip insurance is advisable :shocked2:

Of course you should also consider that Roatan has not had a Hurricane since 1998 with Mitch. Sure there have been some that passed by and messed diving up for a day or two but its been over ten years since a hurricane hit the area. Is it possible? Of course it is but I would never be too concerned about it when planning a future trip

 

[andrethediver]

The threat of the hurricane is always there during this time of year. I was just trying to understand how the resort handles the dives on windy days. So far it seems they send divers to the southside on the shuttle - so we aren' going to get our 3 dives/day in that case? Thanks.

 

[John_B]

So far it seems they send divers to the southside on the shuttle - so we aren' going to get our 3 dives/day in that case? Thanks.

Again, call them and ask. I only know what I know from third hand reports, but I got the impression -- from the dolphin experience crowd on our boat -- that sending divers over to the southside via shuttle buses was an exception. I have seen their boats moored at Mary's Place before, so I know they come partway around the island at least in good weather.

What it comes down to is that no dive vacation is ever going to be able to guarantee a certain number of dives per day; weather is always going to be a factor. There is probably a reason that their "low season" has cheaper rates.

 

[RTBDiver]

North or south you will most likely be able to get three dives a day from AKR unless there is some serious storms. I thought you were a serious diver needing the 5 or so a day

 

[Doc]

Good advice so far.

I believe AKR quite mentioning the "ocean shore dive" in their literature as most declare it "not worthwhile". Very few people ever did it~ more than once.

They now direct divers to the inside of the small cove that lies within AKR. http://www.anthonyskey.com/en/diving/shore_diving.html

It is the kind of diving that I like, unfortunately to call it what I would, muck diving, is a turn-off to most. I like it, most would not. It's a bit occluded, but for me, an excellent night dive. And, yes- I have done it (as well as the former ocean side shore dive).

 

[andrethediver]

Has anyone here done a shore dive at AKR? Thanks.