Another day at Fantasy Island

[Sirto]

It's Saturday as I write this and we've been at Fanatay Island for a week and we'll be here one more week,

The first couple of days have been rainy on and off but it hasn't been a problem. Most days the seas have been almost flat to 1 foot waves and one day we had maybe two foot waves so it's been very easy diving.

We've seen about 10 lionfish so far. On a night dive our dm killed one and someone later got a video of a spotted moray eating it.

The divings has been quite good - lots of seahorses but only one turtle and maybe 5 green morays including the one on the Prince Albert.

I specifically asked to see a pipefish since I've never seen one before and the DM did find me two. He didn't however find the whale shark - you'll think that would be easy given its size One of the most memorable moments was our encouter with a group of 15 squid which approached me to about 4 feet and hung there posing for picture after picture.

The resort is starting to get a bit long in the tooth and could use some sprucing up. We hear that the owner is taking the resort back from Priviledge Hotels in October and is planning a lot of renovations. Hopefully this is true. In the interim ask for a room in the "newer" section to the left side as you face the lobby and at the far end (rooms 220+). The onesw on the second floor have high ceilings which give them a more spacious feel. These rooms were full when we arrive and we got one closer to the lobby. This was not as nice as the newer ones and we were able to move the next day - much better.

The resort must have been running specials for local people since there was quite a crowd at meals as the weekend approached. The were only about 20 - 25 divers so two boats were in use.

The food seemed somewhat improved this year though the banana ice cream we loved last year seems to have disappeared. Oh the hardships we have to endure.

 

[CajunDiva]

Thanks for the report Sirto! Glad to hear you are having a good time - it certainly sounds like the weather is holding up for you

Which divemaster/captain are you with?

 

[rayaa3]

So the rooms on the left when you face the lobby from the drive way are the newer ones?

I stayed in 110 or 109 last June - it was fine - old, but good enough. I recall it was first floor left of the lobby if you are facing the lobby door from the driveway/circle drive.

No banana ice cream available - it was there as recently as June though I recall I only had it one or 2 days that week. Seemed like Chocolate was always there, and the other 2 flavors kinda rotated around.

We definitely saw more non-diving travellers as the weekend approached. It made meals a bit more busy - and the beach slightly more frequented - but for us the diving was light as well. I think they were running 3 boats at the time.

Sounds like a great week of diving. Wish I was there

 

[LynnB]

We stayed in i think 110... They had put us in the newer section but I felt like I was on a different island LOL... long way from boats...
It was fine for us.
I have gotten a new account as I couldn't get back into other so for now...
LynnB is Georgia girl

 

[Sirto]

Thanks for the report Sirto! Glad to hear you are having a good time - it certainly sounds like the weather is holding up for you

Which divemaster/captain are you with?

We were with Darren and Steve the first week and now we are with Derry and Dimas. Both groups are very good.

The second week has been much windier with the resultant 2 - 3+ foot waves.

The newer rooms are indeed to the left of the lobby as you face it from outside and they are a bit of a walk but not too far. Well worth the extra hike for the better condition of the rooms IMO.

 

[Doc]

The second week has been much windier with the resultant 2 - 3+ foot waves.

There's always the shore dive! It is well sheltered.

A great one for choppy days is "Inside Outside", just a divesite West of FIBR. Ask for it. You can also dive the Mr. Bud Wreck from that mooring which is inside a cut in the lagoon.

 

[treasurehunter04]

I should be heading down on vacation soon, I'll definitely have to check out the local dive spots!

 

[Sirto]

Got back on Saturday after a second terrific week at FIBR. By midweek the waves had diminished to about 1 foot. Not quite as flat as the first week but still quite nice.

We were on a boat with a lot of Spaniards this week so I got to practice my spanish. Derry our DM was lamenting the fact that most Europeans don't tip. As a result we got special attention in finding specific critters. I had never seen a pipefish and now I have seen seven and Carolyn actually found one by herself. We also got a nice look at a large eyed toad fish when Derry feed him to get him out of his hole.

We did a night dive by ourselves starting at the PA wreck where we saw a nice octopus on the the deck. He stood still for 7 pictures then went into an opening on the deck. I put my head in and continued shooting untill he went behind a plate and disappeared from view. A few seconds later I hear Carolyn making a noise on her rattle and came up to see the octopus was back on the deck waiting for me to take more pictures. We next headed to the small wall closer in toward Cocoview (is that considered to be part of the Cocoview wall or does it have a distinct name?). Here we found a very large lobster walking about on the sand. On the way back to FI we found another octopus on the slope just in front of the gazebo and he sat still for 15 pictures. It was so nice being the only photographer - on our night dives off the boat it can get to be like a feeding frenzy as everyone bumps into you trying to get a shot.

We ran into jellyfish on our night dive during the first week this year when the current blew us past the boat and we had to wait on the surface until everyone else got on before the boat came to get us. We each had a couple of nice welts on our necks. On the next week's night dive we made sure that we were the first to get back on the boat and also took our fins off a few feet under water then went quickly to the ladder. No stings for us but everyone else got stung.

Whether you are at FI or CocoV be sure you snorkle the wall I mentioned above. It's great either in the day or as a night snorkle. We saw at least nine lobster on one excursion as well as a lionfish, large puffer fish, permit, cravalle jacks, nassau grouper, black grouper and all the smaller reef fish you'd expect - and this was just snorkeling! The shallow chanel that starts at the gazebo and heads toward the FI dive center is a great place to find many juvenile fish. As the chanel hits the main beach we saw 4 lionfish along the rocks on the right (ie closest to the beach).

Another great stay at FI - we'll be back even though we were eaten alive by the sand fleas. We sprayed with both Cutter's and deep woods off but it didn't help.

 

[CajunDiva]

Derry our DM was lamenting the fact that most Europeans don't tip. As a result we got special attention in finding specific critters. I had never seen a pipefish and now I have seen seven and Carolyn actually found one by herself. We also got a nice look at a large eyed toad fish when Derry feed him to get him out of his hole.

Another great stay at FI - we'll be back even though we were eaten alive by the sand fleas. We sprayed with both Cutter's and deep woods off but it didn't help.

Sirto, I am so happy to hear you had a great time at Fantasy Island...you've got me aching to go back again. We are going next April for hubby's birthday and bringing the whole family with us (by that time we'll have five newly certified divers in the family!), but I don't think we can wait 'til then to go back

Isn't Derry awesome at finding all the little critters? We call him the seahorse whisperer It's hard to believe, but some divers enjoy the benefits of the divemasters' hard work all week long and then just leave without tipping. There is NO EXCUSE for that, but I've seen it happen many times

Next time, try slathering on the Cactus Juice lotion (not the spray) first thing in the morning. It also doubles as SPF 20 sunscreen. I know it doesn't work for everyone, but I NEVER have problems with the sand fleas when I remember to use it.