Roatan dive advice for first timer

[Thorin_II]

Myself and a friend are stoked about doing the shark dive in Roatan

We've also been trying to find other operators to take us to the site instead of the alledged operator but that is proving difficult.. any advice on that front would be also greatly appreciated.

Aside from that, we're hoping to get a second dive in before having to catch our cruise out of port.. the shark dive is evidently "the best dive" in roatan.. the one you HAVE to do.. whats the next best one that we simply have to do? we've been thinking of the prince albert wreck. any other suggestions?

 

[diversteve]

Hey guys, this thread has been dead for a while and I thought I'd revive it.

Myself and a friend are stoked about doing the shark dive in Roatan but we stumbled on this story in our travels.. is there any conclusion or new evidence in the matter?

We've also been trying to find other operators to take us to the site instead of the alledged operator but that is proving difficult.. any advice on that front would be also greatly appreciated.

Aside from that, we're hoping to get a second dive in before having to catch our cruise out of port.. the shark dive is evidently "the best dive" in roatan.. the one you HAVE to do.. whats the next best one that we simply have to do? we've been thinking of the prince albert wreck. any other suggestions?

There are no other operators - everyone books through Waihuka - they "own" the operation. You've seen this right? Book a Shark Dive in Roatan

We did the Dolphin Dive at Anthony's Key one morning. Approx. 45min. of in-water, close-up time with the dolphins - depends on their mood. (really...) AKR is also a cruise dive operator so possibly you could do a double there. Spooky Channel is close and one of the better dives we did on the North side.

Also did the Shark Dive, most thought it was really good but my group had a clear/current-free day. Not always the case there - one of things discussed during orientation is how to not get blown away. It is an advanced dive - they also will want to see that you've dove previously on your trip.

If you're thinking of diving P.A. through Cocoview - check with them first. afaik they require a check-out dive for all cruise divers first so that may waste more of your diving time. http://docksidedivecenter.com/index.shtml

Know that for either CCV or AKR, once you get there, you're likely there for the day - unless you want to cab elsewhere.There's not much nearby within walking distance.

If you want this split-off into a new thread, contact me via PM. (left click my username)

 

[Doc]

... the shark dive is evidently "the best dive" in roatan.. the one you HAVE to do.. whats the next best one that we simply have to do? we've been thinking of the prince albert wreck. any other suggestions?

Many people see the Shark Dive that way. There are not as many Sharks on the Prince Albert Wreck, the other one you mention.

If you're thinking of diving P.A. through Cocoview - check with them first. afaik they require a check-out dive for all cruise divers first so that may waste more of your diving time.

Your first dive at CCV would likely involve the PA Wreck~ that's where you would get "checked-out", such as it is.

Some pictures of the Prince Albert Wreck: Prince Albert wreck of Roatan pictures by Doc_Adelman - Photobucket

There is no dive-op anywhere that wouldn't "check out" a new or cruise-ship diver. If there was, "afaik", that would be a dive-op even more dangerous than the potential for any goofy shark rodeo dive-guide grudge re-match.

 

[Doc]

.... instead of the alledged operator...

No, he freely admits to being the operator. It's an established fact.

I guess I should start up a new thread asking for advice about where I should dive and with who while I stay on Roatan. Just looking to make the most of my 7 hours on what looks to be a great destination for diving.

Roatan is a great destination for diving, but if you're there on a Cruise Ship, many instead just do the Shark Dive and get their logbook stamped. The cruise ship visitors have occasionally had a smashing good time doing the Jungle Canopy Zip Lines. AKR does a Dolphin show. Or instead of all that, you could just go diving.

Be sure to visit the Casino. Just watch out for the Card Sharks

 

[scubafanatic]

Thorin II.....I stayed a week @ CoCo View back in 2005......and completely putting aside anything but a pure discussion of what dive/dives you should do during your very limited time in Roatan...I'd highly recommend the shark dive !!! Honestly, out of my whole week in CoCo View, while the resort was very nice topside, the food was fine, the unlimited diving freedom was cool, and the resort is clearly designed by divers, for divers, and very well thought out...the bottom line is I thought the diving there pretty much completely sucked...I was there in July...the vis was poor the whole week...very silty/cloudy.....the fish life was almost non-existant...and the reef was obviously suffering from heavy, repeated diver contact. The one exception was the beautiful 'shark dive'......and I got a very nice DVD ---with me in it----of that dive......that will remain my one shining, glorious memory of what was otherwise very unremarkable diving in Roatan ! I have a dive bud who did CoCo View this past January, and like me, vowed never to return.....she rapidly lost interest in the diving there at the resort and was ending dives with 2000 psi still in her tank she was so bored by it all ! ...the shark dive is done off a very small speed boat a couple miles off shore...where the reef hasn't been flattened by diver traffic or smothered/silted out by island rain/silt runoff...so it actually looks like what you'd expect to see on a nice reef.....based on my limited experience, it's the only good diving in Roatan.

 

[Doc]

I don't want to do the shark dive if this operator is the only one that will do it, and if theres outstanding allegations on his back. I couldn't live with myself knowing I gave money to some one who had aledgedly done what he did. Even if he hadn't, the alegations standing are enough for me to steer clear.

Well, that settles it then. No canned Shark Rodeo for you! (The Seinfeld Soup reference) That's about the only way to do it.

....Hi, I'm Chris, an electrical engineer from Canada. Just got into scuba, havent even finished my certification yet....

Then I would tell you that in no way in Hell should you do the Shark Dive at Roatan. It involves several facets of diving, that when piled upon each other, will quickly result in "task loading" that will make your presence an appreciable liability.

So as I said in my last post, any ideas of how I can get 1 or hopefully 2 of the "must see" Roatan dives in from 11am - 6pm on a cruise stop?

That brings up another grand fallacy of SCUBA diving. "Must See Lists" are generated by doofusses at dive magazines to fill pages. Truth is, as you walk off of a cruise ship, you will be treated as any other 'first day diver' and no, you will not be taken to any of the various "must see" dives. The vaunted Mary's Place dive site specifically prohibits first day divers from this.

Get a cab to Coconut Tree Divers on West End. Will (a SB denizen) will take good care of you. Hundreds of Cruise Ship divers end up at AKR every time the boat arrives- they will take good care of you.

I really wouldn't waste my breath with a "list" of must-see dives that you might think to come a-knocking with. They'll just look at you funny and think about treating you like a Shark Dive DM. Show up, go diving, have fun.

I'm not here to falsely accuse some one I've never met of having tried to kill other people I've never met. I'm trying to find out if there's any proof to settle this case one way or the other.

That's nice, but it points up what the real issue is.... I think what you are running into is a group of seasoned divers who realize this whole stupid incident involved two hot-headed ex-pals that would have not been on anybody's radar screen- except for the National Enquirer of SCUBA Diving Internet and Pornography.

I've seen the video, I've yacked with the cops. Don't expect an exoneration as they're not really sure anything all that horrible occurred. Nothing much worse than a pre-historic scuba training method known as u/w harassment. Just a scrap between two Type A personalities who were well within their abilities to handle this ill-advised horseplay.

No one really shivs a git about that whole stupid mess.

... @ CoCo View...the bottom line is I thought the diving there pretty much completely sucked...the fish life was almost non-existant...and the reef was obviously suffering from heavy, repeated diver contact. The one exception was the beautiful 'shark dive'......glorious memory of what was otherwise very unremarkable diving in Roatan ! ....based on my limited experience, it's the only good diving in Roatan.

I think, Chris, ScubaFanatic gives you some great advice. Although many new divers enjoy the shallow Prince Albert shipwreck dive Prince Albert wreck of Roatan pictures by Doc_Adelman - Photobucket just in front of CCV, for most in that group, there isn't much else to see. You're just starting out- stick with the "big stuff". That shipwreck, being so shallow might be just the thing, but you'll need a few more dives to see all of the little critters that inhabit it and nearby. That South Side environ is "advanced diving", maybe not in the same way as the Shark Dive, but still requiring observational and buoyancy skills you develop later on.

AKR's Dolophin Encounter (Snorkel) allows for great touchy-feely interaction, the Dolphin Dive, not so much- but still a real thrill. A thrill only surpassed when you see them in the wild... and someday, if you keep diving, you will. Dolphins as well as Sharks. That'll make your butt pucker.

 

[Vetdrm]

Thorin II - I envy you. You're starting diving at 24. We started at 48. You have a lifetime of diving ahead of you. Don't rush it. There are plenty of dive vacations ahead of you.

I'm guessing that your cruise also goes to Cozumel and Grand Cayman? Are you doing your OW certification at one of these stops or back home before your cruise? All three stops would offer great diving. Don't rush to do advanced dives. If you find that truly love to dive, you'll find a way to visit these areas and so many more, individually, to hopefully engulf not only the diving, but the whole cultural experience.

 

[Scubachick_84]

Then I would tell you that in no way in Hell should you do the Shark Dive at Roatan. It involves several facets of diving, that when piled upon each other, will quickly result in "task loading" that will make your presence an appreciable liability.

Hi RoatanMan, can you elaborate a little on your comment about several facets of diving? Is this not like the shark dives in the Bahamas where you basically just drop onto a sandy bottom and watch the sharks get into a feeding frenzy over a bait bucket?

Thanks for your help!

 

[Doc]

Hi RoatanMan, can you elaborate a little on your comment about several facets of diving?

It does involve the use of a long narrow boat, which often dictates that divers gear-up when the boat is stable and not rocking. Not a bad thing because the ride is only 10 minutes out. Better to be ready than to have a full boat of divers thrashing about. Some divers don't get it and cause a problem during the trip out, as well as when moored. "Everyone in!", means just that.

There is no qualification for going other than a basic Certification. Cruise Ship divers and the like appear for the big adventure, many having only freshly minted C-Cards.

The dive also contains other "advanced" skills including the acceptance of being intentionally 10# overweighted (you have to know where to begin with your weights first), understanding how a boat "granny line" system works (and paying very close attention to, and understanding- the briefing's drawings & diagrams). Many people have not descended on a line in current, nor had to hang on to lines- so it's all "advanced" to them. A lot of people fall short of the mark, but so far- everyone has survived the great ordeal of meeting Mr. Jaws.

The backrolls off of a boat gunnel is a new experience for many. Descending along the anchor line is easy, that extra weight doesn't hurt- it keeps you stuck on the sea floor during the party. Upon ascending, you have to understand how light your tank is (or isn't), plus the effect of all that extra lead. Purging your BC on ascent only as needed plus keeping a hand on the anchor line can be a trick. Also the re-boarding can be a challenge what with the ladders they use. Then you have to get into your seating station and "get small". Not much allowance for space or flailing around.

When you put that many mixed ability divers in a group, there is a greater risk of problems and accidents. Just understand, that is their problem, not yours. When we pay to go on these carnival rides, it's up to the individual diver to take care of themselves and if they can- their buddy.

I think the dive is inherently safe and conducted in a proper manner, but there is a mix of people there- some are in way over their heads. Unfortunately, anybody with the money will go do these dives first thing so that they have something exciting to talk about back home.

I think Roatan has one of the better Canned Shark Rodeos in the Caribbean, but it is what it is and nothing more- Just like a roller coaster, bungee jump, or tandem sky dive. You will know and appreciate the difference after the first time you meet Mr Grey out in the wild, unexpectedly, on his terms. It will happen, given enough time underwater.

In the mean time, canned dives, including Dolphins and Rays, they fill a void for the newer diver who hasn't begun the process of finding and identifying the really cool stuff on their own. The Sharks will come, all on their own, in time- even the Whale Sharks.

If you want to do any dive, by all means, consider well the details involved in the dive proposed. The Roatan Shark Dive is well described elsewhere here on Scuba Board.

It's just a whole lot of new experiences and challenges, all rolled up into one dive.

 

[d_lafleur]

Having been on said dive with fresh divers (2), Roatan Man is spot on. The boat is never stable once it leaves the dock. The boat is narrow, the current rips, and the ladders, well they move, a lot. I went with a group that had no less than 10 dives under the belt that week and we still had a few minor issues. The weather was a bit rougher than normal that day, so some of what I experienced was above normal. According to my Atom 2, I dove to the edge of mandatory deco, and two of the divers in our group were to close to OOA for my taste. Had we been diving tables, we would have all gotten a mandatory deco, except for the last three in the water.

As the Doc said, when they say "everyone in" that is not indicating gear up. We had two toes and a finger that didnt make the trip unscathed to recall.