OP
sololady
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You got it. Maybe we can get a few who want to try this thing.
Might there be interest in putting together a low budget trip to Roatan?
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That would certainly misrepresent us and I believe also Steve's Deep Blue dive shop. We travel to North side with standard walk-in dive packages. It is true that we take reservations for diving places and when the dive center is busy those with reservations will, of course, get priority. Having said that I can't remember when we had to tell a customer "sorry but we are full" when it came to diving places. What seems to matter is how many boats a dive center operates and if the dive center separates fun diver and student boats.
As for outside lodging, we and several other dive centers love to work with divers staying elsewhere. In fact we even offer a free pick up and drop off service for divers not staying with us. It's actually better for us to have divers staying outside of our lodging as it keeps our beds free for more business.
At Alton's, just like Steve's Deep Blue Divers shop and several others, we offer cheap/complimentary accommodation to backpackers and others on a tight budget. We also have more upmarket accommodations for those that require private bath, a/c, etc. We have plenty of beds and we never kick people out because they have finished their diving package or training. Our beds and rooms are available to fun divers, students, and non-divers. We don't require people to dive every day, I don't believe Steve does at his Deep Blue Divers shop either. I guess some other dive centers might. It is true enough that we sell a course package including accommodation but we also do the same for fun divers and even snorkeling.
If anyone is interested in details of our services drop me a PM and I'll be happy to provide information.
Sorry but I don't know of anyone else other than Vern who is trying to run a boat service between Utila and Roatan.
OP
sololady
Contributor
Thanks for that Rob. I know that though it's faster to go with Vern when he runs, the morning Galaxy Wave and the morning Utila Princess are coordinated so that you can leave Roatan early and be on Utila by lunch. I haven't ever thought about the afternoon times...how does that work?
We were at FI a couple weeks ago and took the last day scoping out West End for our next trip. My main concern is that we want our next trip to be a 3-4 dives a day and since shore diving isn't that easy, except for Half Moon Bay, I'm not sure how to make that happen. We also are hoping for more adventure this trip and there does seem to be a sameness about diving Bonaire.
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This is the conundrum of Roatan, as it is for many destinations.
If you "run the numbers", it is simply not cost efficient to look elsewhere for three dives a day other than an AI resort. At FI (Fantasy Island), they offer three boat departures as well as unlimited, fall-in-the-water shore diving- thus meaning unlimited night diving, as well.
Another factor is "time". At West End day-dive operations, yes- they do run three boat trips daily, but making both the first and closely spaced second dives is not an easy task and you will likely tire of the effort after one day's go-round. Then start totaling up the cost of those "ala-carte" dives, versus the AI option.
Many folks also might enjoy shopping for and making their own breakfasts and lunches, also possibly going to one of the many inviting West End restaurants in the evenings. This can take-up a whole lot of time. It's always the call of the individual vacationer, but you really can't have it both ways... either you want 3+ dives a day, or you might like other diversions. Unfortunately on Roatan, there really is not much middle ground.
Roatan's most convenient and close shore dive (In terms of a very long swim), is from FIBR, CCV, or RHR, not Half Moon Bay- or even Spooky Channel... by a long shot. West End dive ops offer a "weekly night dive", only if there a minimum number of takers.
On Roatan, if you want a "dive vacation", look at CCV. A close second is the lower priced FIBR. AKR, although upscale and close to the West End, comes in third. After that, if you want a "vacation with diving", there are many great selections on the West End where you can pick the lodging of your dreams and the dive op that suits your schedule.
West End offerings can be "a bargain" if you prefer to spend your vacation time and dollar on a broader recreational choice than just absorbing Nitrogen. If you want access to the night party scene, if you want a variety of fun restaurants... it may well be the perfect choice~ But it does come at an expense.
No one offering will work for everyone, not in "today's Roatan" (Yet !)
lthomas132
Contributor
Damn I hate acronyms!
We would very much like to stay at CocoView but with the rates being higher, an extra charge for first time divers at CCV, only two boat trips per day, night dives extra, and a bulk tipping policy for staff I find the cost an obstacle. Since I haven't seen specials I assume the resort is always full of loyal guests.
(This would be a thread hijack except the thread is dormant and the OP did mention cost.)
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AI = all inclusive
RTB = Roatan airport code
UTL = Utila ""
BFK = Barefoot Key (south side east)
CCV = CocoView (south side cental)
FIBR = Fantasy Island (aka FI) (south side central)
RHR = Reef House Resort (south side, far east)
IoLR = Inn of Last Resort (north)
BIBR = Bay Islands Beach Resort (north) - closed for now
AKR = Anthony's Key Resort (north)
CCT = Coconut Tree (West End) (aka CCTD or CTD)
At CCV there is no extra charge for first timers. You get one free trip after 9 paid.
There are indeed only two boat trips per day at CCV, but they are two tanks each. This is what resort ops do if they have extra capacity on the boats, versus running more departures with only one tank each.
With the CCV AI schedule, you can do two dives 8>11, and then two more 2>4:30. That's four dives plus a lot of laying-around-in-the-Sun time.
There is a charge at CCV if you want to do the scheduled weekly night boat dive, same as would be on any West End day-dive op, but at FIBR and CCV most night dives are done as shore dives. They are free.
The CCV "bulk tipping policy" is absolutely by personal choice. No one is really aware if or what you throw in. Many guests walk away without dropping anything in the slot. No prerssure, and no- it is not "added to the bill".
At CCV, many guests throw in 10% of their land package (about $110+) into the bulk tip box, and some hand their DM's and Boat Captains $50 each extra.
Cost? You really have to start doing math.
You know, at an AI, there are certain things that are included. So, at a set price, you know that you're getting X amt of dives plus three meals, and ground transfers from the airport, maybe free nitrox or tequila for the week.
When you go ala-carte day-dive op, you really must consider how much diving you are really going to do. If you want two a day, financially, it makes the best sense to go ala-carte. Then you will have the time to spend money and time to prepare meals. That can be the ideal relaxing vacay for many.
Other people want maximum bottom time and want food waiting for them as they are toweling off.
It works for a lot of people, but you must absolutely know what you want out of your vacation time/dollar.
This was typical of all of the diving until fairly recently. In the 1970's in Cayman, we often got two dives in one day, then spent the rest of the time lounging and cooking, drinking beer and sleeping. We might have done one furtive and adventurous night dive in any given week, maybe two.
As our modern lives get compressed, certain types are fulfilled when they can get in "more ski runs down the mountain"- thus we have high speed chairlifts versus the primitive slow speed lifts. The similarity is fairly obvious. With our desires for supercharged vacations, we invented liveaboards... the ultimate AI.
What is a liveaboard? It is a place to sleep that is a few steps away from diving and food, or your bed. This too is the descriptor of an AI. An AI approaches parity with a liveaboard when the character of diving at your feet is almost as inspiring as the constantly changing reef below a ship. Few AI's come close, but to the more seasoned diver, they perceive changes even in the same locales.
Liveabaords give you easy breezy 5x a day, and they cost the most money. Tipping of course varies, but most suggestions for Caribbean based (better service) liveabaords are in the 10-20% of the Liveabaod cost.
AI's can come close to the diving/dining experience, and they usually cost less than a liveabaord.
Guest houses, shopping and cooking for yourself, picking your day-dive op, is the least expensive way to go. You only have to consider tipping your DM and possibly the maid staff.
Again- what is important is to absolutely understand what amount of diving you want. That will decide the obvious best choice for what type of accommodations you need to consider. Then you must be sure you have all of the facts straight, too.
ScubaTim
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Loyal for a reason! If you can't afford tipping, you can not afford to go anywhere that requires tipping. 2 boat dives equals 4 dives plus very easy diving from shore 24/7, I usually get 5 a day but 6 is easy and safe. Some days I might just get in 3 if i want to play deep or spend time with Willy. You can also do shallow very long dives at your pace... There is one night boat dive a week that costs extra but I have never gone on it, your shore dives at night are included in your package and can do as many dives as you want! 2 am. is a cool time if you feel up to it, some like sunrise dives. Yeah it does suck to do an AI...
RoatanMan,
Thanks for the very helpful post. Your info is what we need to make our next choice.
It was my misunderstanding that the resort expected a bulk tip. We are comfortable tipping the captain and DM 10-15% of the package. We also tip dock, cleaning and wait staff individually and daily. They need the money a lot more than we do.
It was also my misunderstanding about the two tank dives. I had read the FAQ as one tank and one drop off at the wall.
Thanks for the very helpful post. Your info is what we need to make our next choice.
It was my misunderstanding that the resort expected a bulk tip. We are comfortable tipping the captain and DM 10-15% of the package. We also tip dock, cleaning and wait staff individually and daily. They need the money a lot more than we do.
It was also my misunderstanding about the two tank dives. I had read the FAQ as one tank and one drop off at the wall.
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