AKR Open Water Cert.

[SkyDub]

Hello all! Brand spanking shiny new here. Just discovered the board and wanted to ask about the Open Water cert. course at AKR for a new diver.

We are staying in West End for the night life and wanting to take the course at AKR. What are the expectations for a new diver taking this course? Is this a good starting point? They will not schedule the course with us until we show up so i'm not sure what to expect. Apparently those not staying with them have to take open slots as they are available. We are fine with this.

Any info is greatly appreciated as we are leaving Sat. for a 7 night adventure! It is kinda last minute due to vacation schedule issues, but I am EXCITED!!!

Also, if for some reason AKR does not pan out, what are good recommendations for beginner Open Water Cert.?? Las Rocas?

Thanks so much!

W

 

[Doc]

AKR will do a fine job, but I don't understand why you would leave the West End and travel to AKR for something that's available all over the west End.

There are any number of people affiliated with West End dive ops who post here regularly. You can arrive, take a look around, see the rental gear, look at the boats, and then make an easy choice.

AKR will have top notch everything, but I can't figure why you'd want to leave "your neighborhood".

 

[SkyDub]

AKR will do a fine job, but I don't understand why you would leave the West End and travel to AKR for something that's available all over the west End.

There are any number of people affiliated with West End dive ops who post here regularly. You can arrive, take a look around, see the rental gear, look at the boats, and then make an easy choice.

AKR will have top notch everything, but I can't figure why you'd want to leave "your neighborhood".

Thanks for the reply!! We have friend who is a business partner of AKR that recommended them to us. He has an apartment in West End and we are staying with him. I am but one of a few who are making the plans so i'm just trolling for as much info as I can get.

Also noticed in your info the Ohare TSA blurb! I am positive i've been in line with you before. I am a regular Ohare TSA infiltrator!

 

[diversteve]

Why take a cab/drive daily to AKR for:

Apparently those not staying with them have to take open slots as they are available

when there's many good diveops walking distance away in the West End.

Coconut Tree Divers - PADI 5-Star IDC Dive Resort on Roatan, Honduras - scuba diving courses, divemaster internships, instructor development, tec diving, and more!
Native Sons Dive Shop - Roatan, Honduras - Dive Tours and Certification
Reef Gliders, Roatan diving, Honduras diving, Bay Islands diving, Roatan, West End
Roatan Diving Honduras | Scuba Lessons | Shore Excursions | Sueno del Mar and Roatan West End Hotel
Roatan Diving, Bay Islands, Honduras | Scuba Diving, PADI, Dive Sites | West End Divers.

Los Rocas is in West Bay - a couple miles drive the other way....

I've read nothing but good things about the first 4 - don't know West End Divers. We dove a week with Coconut Tree, they're a good bunch. I saw several classes being held on their patio -they also have a training room. And their dock is 50' from the shop.

 

[SkyDub]

Why take a cab/drive daily to AKR for: when there's many good diveops walking distance away in the West End.



Los Rocas is in West Bay - a couple miles drive the other way....

I've seen nothing but positive things about the first 4 - don't know West End Divers. We dove a week with Coconut Tree, they're a good bunch. We saw several of their classes being held on the patio -they also have a training room. And their dock is 50' from the shop.

Thanks Steve! Again, I am but 1/4 of the decision making process, so i'm just gathering info. From what I understand, our friend has a driver so we will have transportation whenever needed. I am only going by this friends recommendation as he is very tied into Roatan businesses and also AKR.

I have heard the same comments about Coconut Tree, so I appreciate your confirmation! It may be that we end up going with someone in W/E.

Any info to help a newbie TOTALLY unfamiliar to the beginner Open Water cert. is much appreciated!

W

 

[ncchuck]

Too bad you found SB so late. I'm sure many would have recommended you get your book work and maybe even pool stuff out of the way so you'd get more diving while on Roatan. I'm sure AkR does a great job but it makes almost no sense to waste all that travel time back and forth. There are too many good training facilities closer.
Have fun and let us know how it all worked out when you get back.

 

[a22shady]

welcome

 

[SkyDub]

Too bad you found SB so late. I'm sure many would have recommended you get your book work and maybe even pool stuff out of the way so you'd get more diving while on Roatan. I'm sure AkR does a great job but it makes almost no sense to waste all that travel time back and forth. There are too many good training facilities closer.
Have fun and let us know how it all worked out when you get back.

Thanks chuck! I didn't want to sound pretetious...but there may be a wink wink discount thing going here with my friend! I didn't think AKR was that far from W/E?
Just wondering what to expect. Maybe we will just do an intro thing and come back with book work done to dive more later.

I will report back for sure.

..and shouldn't you be SCchuck??

 

[ncchuck]

..and shouldn't you be SCchuck??

You are the first person to ask me that. Yes it should but I started using ncchuck when I lived in NC for several years and never changed it. Good catch.

 

[RTBDiver]

You are the first person to ask me that. Yes it should but I started using ncchuck when I lived in NC for several years and never changed it. Good catch.

At least you were not working on the Utila Princess when you chose your user name