cdiver2:
Three dives a day and a couple of night dives uw Photography is a must wall and reef dives are good. I would also like to do some top side nature/scenic photos. AC is a must and I am not one for exotic foods like my meat and potato's where I can.
I don't want the follow the DM in a line diving, DM in with us is ok as long as we can spread out a little. The smaller the number of divers on the boat the better.
I may be asking for to much but after reading old post I found other resorts that I would be open to, akr, fI, ccv
Oh we drink very little so no rowdy heavy drinking places
With your criteria, I would think that AKR would do very well for you- as they often disount the rates to well below $700 in off season.
CCV is the kind of place you go if you're looking for 5x dives a day and unlimited world class shore diving. There is little else to do there but dive. The boats at CCV are specifically designed for diving in Roatan conditions, designed for 32 divers but you never find more than 12-15 divers aboard.
At AKR you have easy access to the other, albeit limited, distractions offered on Roatan. Either resort would require the hiring of a car to take you on photo treks. The scenics are rather limited when your resort is (by deffinition) on ocean elevation.
You will be isolated from partiers at AKR simply by the remoteness of the resort's bar... it is on the mainside of the resort, a boat ride away from your room, up about 75 steps into the hillside, co-located with the dining facility.
CCV's party central (and dining area) is very much so nearer to the rooms (1 minute walk max on level ground) but the party crowd generally doesnt go to CCV. A large group (18 divers) may book, have a 'wild time' on the first night, partying until midnight... but for the rest of the week they pretty much so conk out after the night dive. Night dives from shore are so easy and inviting- most guests are wet by 8pm and in bed by 10.
The food between the resorts is surprisingly similar. You may get the same items, but at CCV they are served in a weekly rotation with three entree choices each night, and you have to arrange the food on the plate. Simple fare. At AKR, you are served of a menu. Like I said, basically the same food, different presentation. At CCV you can woof your food if you wish, grap a nap and then get back to diving... no waiting for 'almost' fancy service.
If you are truly a dedicated uw photo nut, hands down, CCV is the place to be. Not only do you have access to the same niche critters in the 'front yard' anytime you want them, but the photo shop on premises is universaly regarded as the best staffed and operated. When they do that photo shoot out thing on Roatan, CCV's on prem photo shop is where all the winners come from.
AKR is nice, besides it's oft discounted price, because it is so close to the West End entertainment opportunities. It is visited by hundreds of divers each week during cruise ship season to see the Dolphin Show, so they make more than enough money on that angle to support the staff that also takes care of the weeklong guests (at a discounted rate).
At CCV you won't see anyone else all week except the (max of 72) guests and the long term staff.
I think that any long term member of SB could dredge uop a whole lot of information here. The trick to knowing "which resort" is to have real life experience at all choices. Very few people who are not guests ever get to CCV as it is on its own private 10 acre key. Most CCV divers go to AKR at least once to see the Dolphin Show. This doesn't give them a lot of information, but observant divers will at least look around.
I have looked at AKR extensively. Many divers who have stayed at AKR over the years like it a lot and keep going back with great devotion.
Dec 11-18 will be my 25th (?) trip to CCV. I'm not taking any of the comps (freebies for the leaders) so it is going to cost $650 plus airfare. PM me if interested.
Either (and any) way, Roatan is great... especially if you have a macro lens on that camera! Go slowly and look for the small stuff!
Have fun.