RDRINK25
Contributor
Just trying to get an idea of what is on the key? Can you go there daily? Looks like a small beach is over there? Anyone have any pics?
CCV Hawksbill Key
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There is a small bridge over, so you can walk over any time. There is a small cabana and tables for the weekly barbecue. But not much else, there are sandy areas by the water but not what you would call a beach.
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+1 to a878bob
Here's a "picture", HBK is in the upper left with the two piers leading out:
Useful info: You can do some interesting night diving by walking out the upper pier (that's the dive deck you see by the boats) and making entry on the 10 o'clock point of HBK. From there, leading due West towards the FI bridge, you may notice an ancient 6' high Coral Wall, eons ago dead. Take a hard left from your entry and follow the Coral heads that slowly increase in size and density to create CCV wall. You can come all the way South and East, see the DC3, the Prince Albert Wreck, and make it back up the chain to the standard CCV shore entry very comfortably.
Use this opportunity to explore under the Bungalows, but understand that there is no easy exit on that West side of the jetty that runs from the Clubhouse South. You have to go around and exit on the East side of the jetty. A lot of colorful juveniles dart around here, and so do the things that enjoy eating them. I have seen Nurse Sharks (and other Apex Eaters) shopping for dinner under any of the stilted buildings at CCV, the Cabanas and decks, as well.
This area, including the Channel itself, can have amazing clarity at what is known as Slack water - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Additional thing to do at CCV: Whenever you walk on these structures- any of them... Look down over the edges, into the water. Amazing stuff, right there. Octopus, Sea Hares, Rays, more. ALWAYS bring a small flashlight at night. Be very amazed.
Historical Trivia: This little spit of land was part of the property before CCV fully started-up in 1984. In that time period, the upper pier went about 1/2 way to the cay. At that point, a squarish crate structure (the salvaged cabin from a boat) was there on stilts to house the female cook/maid staffer. It was known as the Chicken Coop. Weekly picnics were hosted out on "the Key", so guests would wade-out the remainder of the 100' in the shallows to dinner. The staff would carry the food boxes on their shoulders. This pier was eventually extended, but long before that the Chicken Coop was retired and removed.
The Southern (bottom pier) continued tio end abruptly and without explanation about 40' past the door of Bungalow D, the one on the far left. This was going to be extended to additional Bungalows which are authorized, but Mr Bill decided to not build.
Maybe in 1995 or so (?), both piers were revbuilt, extended and joined at the Cay. It got it's current name from an ill fated but well intentioned project that involved the re-hab and protection of the named species. During this effort, scientific data was beginning to come apparent that when this species is held in close quarters, they can develop easily transmitted eye infections, so it was abandoned very quickly in that period. While it lasted, guests were occasionally treated with participating in the actual Ocean release of young turtles.
It is a testament to the insistence of nature if you look carefully for historical remnants of the operation. You won't see much, but the easiest thing to notice if you look hard is the rusted remnants of the very heavy version of chain link fence that was used for the pens. This stuff was galvanized, just like chain link, but maybe 50% thicker wire. At the water level, it lasted about 12 months before it crumbled away.
Now, there are lights along the walkways, and just as the rest of the resort, these are solar powered LED road lane markers that we see on some US roads. HBK does have 120v service, a streetlight, a flush toilet & sink, a bar facility, picnic tables, a large deck for music, dancing and things you do when there is free rum punch. Amazing things.
(The above act flamed-out as the male owner/lead who had dreadlocks and a Jamaican affect was eventually discovered to be a nice Jewish boy with a great Sun tan from NYC.... and other reasons)
This is also the location of the "crab race" which flourishes contrary to the Draconian Honduran laws against gambling. Huge winnings of up to $12 have been known to been the final stakes. You can use crabs that the yard-boys were tasked in rounding-up, or you can BYOC. It has been noted that priming your Crab with artificial stimulants has indeterminate results.
Most weeks, two events will occur at HBK. To give the kitchen staff a night off, long about mid-week, they will do the Picnic on the Key....
At the end of the week, after dinner, they will do the Forced Free Rum Punch thing. I advise you to pack on this Friday night for departure before going down to the Key.
Here's a "picture", HBK is in the upper left with the two piers leading out:
Useful info: You can do some interesting night diving by walking out the upper pier (that's the dive deck you see by the boats) and making entry on the 10 o'clock point of HBK. From there, leading due West towards the FI bridge, you may notice an ancient 6' high Coral Wall, eons ago dead. Take a hard left from your entry and follow the Coral heads that slowly increase in size and density to create CCV wall. You can come all the way South and East, see the DC3, the Prince Albert Wreck, and make it back up the chain to the standard CCV shore entry very comfortably.
Use this opportunity to explore under the Bungalows, but understand that there is no easy exit on that West side of the jetty that runs from the Clubhouse South. You have to go around and exit on the East side of the jetty. A lot of colorful juveniles dart around here, and so do the things that enjoy eating them. I have seen Nurse Sharks (and other Apex Eaters) shopping for dinner under any of the stilted buildings at CCV, the Cabanas and decks, as well.
This area, including the Channel itself, can have amazing clarity at what is known as Slack water - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Additional thing to do at CCV: Whenever you walk on these structures- any of them... Look down over the edges, into the water. Amazing stuff, right there. Octopus, Sea Hares, Rays, more. ALWAYS bring a small flashlight at night. Be very amazed.
Historical Trivia: This little spit of land was part of the property before CCV fully started-up in 1984. In that time period, the upper pier went about 1/2 way to the cay. At that point, a squarish crate structure (the salvaged cabin from a boat) was there on stilts to house the female cook/maid staffer. It was known as the Chicken Coop. Weekly picnics were hosted out on "the Key", so guests would wade-out the remainder of the 100' in the shallows to dinner. The staff would carry the food boxes on their shoulders. This pier was eventually extended, but long before that the Chicken Coop was retired and removed.
The Southern (bottom pier) continued tio end abruptly and without explanation about 40' past the door of Bungalow D, the one on the far left. This was going to be extended to additional Bungalows which are authorized, but Mr Bill decided to not build.
Maybe in 1995 or so (?), both piers were revbuilt, extended and joined at the Cay. It got it's current name from an ill fated but well intentioned project that involved the re-hab and protection of the named species. During this effort, scientific data was beginning to come apparent that when this species is held in close quarters, they can develop easily transmitted eye infections, so it was abandoned very quickly in that period. While it lasted, guests were occasionally treated with participating in the actual Ocean release of young turtles.
It is a testament to the insistence of nature if you look carefully for historical remnants of the operation. You won't see much, but the easiest thing to notice if you look hard is the rusted remnants of the very heavy version of chain link fence that was used for the pens. This stuff was galvanized, just like chain link, but maybe 50% thicker wire. At the water level, it lasted about 12 months before it crumbled away.
Now, there are lights along the walkways, and just as the rest of the resort, these are solar powered LED road lane markers that we see on some US roads. HBK does have 120v service, a streetlight, a flush toilet & sink, a bar facility, picnic tables, a large deck for music, dancing and things you do when there is free rum punch. Amazing things.
(The above act flamed-out as the male owner/lead who had dreadlocks and a Jamaican affect was eventually discovered to be a nice Jewish boy with a great Sun tan from NYC.... and other reasons)
This is also the location of the "crab race" which flourishes contrary to the Draconian Honduran laws against gambling. Huge winnings of up to $12 have been known to been the final stakes. You can use crabs that the yard-boys were tasked in rounding-up, or you can BYOC. It has been noted that priming your Crab with artificial stimulants has indeterminate results.
Most weeks, two events will occur at HBK. To give the kitchen staff a night off, long about mid-week, they will do the Picnic on the Key....
At the end of the week, after dinner, they will do the Forced Free Rum Punch thing. I advise you to pack on this Friday night for departure before going down to the Key.
OP
RDRINK25
Contributor
Thanks but if looking for an afternoon at the beach after a few dives where is the place to go?
crabbyfiddler
Contributor
There are chairs and hammocks on decks and docks, some covered, some not, for lounging about. There are even a couple of hammocks inside the screened in dining hall...well, that sounds a little formal for what it is. There are also hammocks on the decks for each room, unless you are staying in TSR.
Midge907
Contributor
TSR has a hammock on the screened in porch.
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OP
RDRINK25
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Does it cost anything to visit AKR for the day?
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