Bay Islands Beach Resort, Roatan

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coberry7

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Scuba Instructor
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Location
Atlanta, GA
I'm going to the Bay Islands Beach Resort in a month. Anybody been there? Can you tell me what it's like? Diving, Food, Service, etc?
 
Let me make sure that I have this right. You're going to BIBR in a month, have plane tickets, reservations & a deposit (if not complete payment up front), and now are seeking info on the resort's accommodations, diving, food, service, etc?

Best regards.

DocVikingo
 
Yes.

I did the research ahead of time like you would do for any trip that you plan. Even talked to the owners here in the states. This research helped me decide to go there instead of Anthony's, Coco, and Fantasy Island. I am pleased so far, but have not met anyone who has actually been there.

I found out about scubaboard after making my reservations, etc. Basically I wanted to talk to someone who had been there, now that this forum is available to me.
 
I have been there, but it was quite some time ago. Based on that experience, and what I have heard from others more recently, I would not choose BIBR over AKR, CCV or FI, or IOLR, either.

Still, I suspect that on balance you'll enjoy your stay.

Do have fun.

DocVikingo
 
The amount of people that will be there, the shore diving (how is that??) (No lagoon?) and various factors within my group were the decision makers.

I know nobody who has been there, and heard mixed responses about Coco and AKR from people I have dove with in the past.

Thank you! I will have a good time, because for a week I'll be away from the job and the local lake and quarry, with people I care about!

I would really like to know your opinion of the shore diving.

Also, as you are a Doctor, I have another question. I had to take Chloroquine for Haiti (Non-diving trip!), and a dive friend said they took anti-malarials in Roatan, although it wasn't required. Has anything changed? I have looked but found no need for Anti-malarials in Roatan. I saw your posts regarding Larium, et al. Figured you might be the one to ask about this.

Thank you for your time!
 
coberry7 once bubbled...
The amount of people that will be there, the shore diving (how is that??) (No lagoon?) and various factors within my group were the decision makers.

I know nobody who has been there, and heard mixed responses about Coco and AKR from people I have dove with in the past.

Thank you! I will have a good time, because for a week I'll be away from the job and the local lake and quarry, with people I care about!

I would really like to know your opinion of the shore diving.

Also, as you are a Doctor, I have another question. I had to take Chloroquine for Haiti (Non-diving trip!), and a dive friend said they took anti-malarials in Roatan, although it wasn't required. Has anything changed? I have looked but found no need for Anti-malarials in Roatan. I saw your posts regarding Larium, et al. Figured you might be the one to ask about this.

Thank you for your time!
I've been there.

Service is A1.

Food is edible, lots of free range chicken :) (stay away from the cheeseburgers, or what they claim is a cheeseburger)

Shore diving...Well Spooky channel is a little bit of a swim. You can usually get the DM's to drop you off at Spooky and then you can swim back.
(We only did that twice for the week we were there.)

But the rest of the diving is good.


Jeff
 
Thanks a lot! From the picture on their website it looks like Spooky Channel is just a few fin kicks away from the dock.

Cheeseburgers, huh? I make the best Cheeseburgers on Earth, I'll let them make me the seafood!

Thanks,

Colin Berry
 
The issue of malaria prophylaxis for scuba trips to Roatan bears some discussion.

To the best of my knowledge, the majority of divers visiting Roatan who do not plan on leaving the island do not take malaria chemoprophylaxis, and the number of those contracting the disease is extremely small. Additionally, the malaria on Roatan appears to less virulent in nature than that found in Asia & Africa.

Nonetheless, there is malaria on the island and several major agencies that track & educate about the disease indicate that Roatan is a risk area.

So, as can be seen, it's a personal call, but do keep in mind that malaria of any degree of severity is a serious illness & efforts should be taken to avoid it. At the very least & under any circumstances, one would want to follow the suggestions contained in the following edited version of my "Ask RSD" column in the Oct '99 issue of "Rodale's Scuba Diving." Even if you never see a mosquito, these recommendations will be exceedingly helpful with Roatan's notorious no see um scourge:

"Sand fleas & mosquitoes can be a real bother, not to mention that they are sources of some serious tropical diseases.

The danger & bother of insects can be substantially reduced by these precautions: (1) Wear long sleeves and pants, avoiding dark or bright colors, especially at dawn and dusk. Protective clothing such as the "Buzz Off" brand can be useful. As an extra precaution, you may treat clothing with permethrin (As in the easy to use Sawyer Products http://www.permethrin-repellent.com ); (2) Try to stay indoors at dawn and dusk when many flying insects are most active, and avoid sandy areas as much as possible at any time of day, especially when there is no breeze. When making reservations, make sure the resort has screened windows; (3) Wear insect repellent. The best protection against these and other insects is full strength DEET. Some divers like things such as Avon's Skin-So-Soft & Cactus Juice, less toxic products than DEET, by the science is solidly behind DEET for lasting effectiveness. Most DEET containing repellents are the 15-30% range of concentration. The testing of various strengths of DEET has shown that after about 30% little additional effectiveness is to be had by upping the strength, and virtually none after about 50%. As such, there is simply no point in exposing oneself to more potent brews. UltraThon at 32% http://www.3m.com/us/home_leisure/scianglers/ultrathon.jhtml appears to be a good product. Used as directed over relatively brief periods of time, say a week, DEET has been shown to pose no significant risk when applied to exposed skin. If you wear lightweight, loose fitting clothes, it generally is safe to use DEET underneath. Doing so with heavy, snug fitting clothes can result in dermatological problems & worse. Be aware that DEET can dissolve synthetics like plastics, rayon & nylon, so it's best to wear natural fibers & keep it off of your gear; (4) Avoid scented toiletries and perfumes; (5) Upon arrival, treat your room with a bug bomb such as Shelltox or Fish (stay outside while this is being done). Touch up with spray after that as needed."

If you decide that malaria chemoprophylaxis may be for you, contact your nearest tropical diseases/travel medicine clinic. They'll get you squared away. And, don't wait until the last minute. The following websites may be of assistance in locating such a facility:

International Society of Travel Medicine http://www.istm.org/

American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH)
http://www.astmh.org/scripts/clinindex.asp

This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice to you or any other individual, and should not be construed as such.

Best regards.

DocVikingo
 
I will pass this on to my buddies.

I will take your educational statement under advisement, and will research it further tonight. That way if I decide to take anti-malarials, I will be able to start the course in time.

I truly appreciate your input.

Colin Berry
 
We will be in Roataon for a day on a cruise. We were considering going to BIBR for the day for snorkeling. It seems that the snorkeling is pretty good from the shore or boat. They have a package where they pick you up at the dock and provide beach chairs, lunch. Would this be a good choice for a day od snorkeling? Any other suggestions for good snorkeling for the day? Thanks
 

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