CoCo View or Fantasy Island - a few questions

[Spike_Digger]

Hi,

I searched and read a zillion posts on CCV vs. FIBR, and I have a few questions. Thanks in advance for taking the time to reply to any of these....

Several posters said that CCV's shore diving is much easier than from FIBR. Can somebody who stayed at FIBR comment on that? Is it a much longer swim from FIBR, or just a couple extra minutes of kicking?

One person said that they like being treated like a responsible adult diver, and thus chose CCV. What is it that FIBR does to restrict a diver's freedom, that CCV does better?

Another person said that FIBR's dive op was overwhelmed by too many divers. Did anybody else have this experience?

What is the typical number of divers per boat at the 2 resorts? Does either have large cattle boats?

 

[philmayer]

Neither resort does real cattle boats. CCV averages 15-16 divers per boat. Even at max capacity for the resort, they'd still have fewer than 20 divers per boat. And they're great boats. Mr. Bill designed them especially for diving. There are 4 exits per boat. A full boat empties in less than 2 minutes.

The biggest difference between the shore diving is the length of the walk to the water. At CCV it's maybe 100 feet. CCV also has a massive "Front Yard" inshore of the wall where the water is only 4-6 feet deep with tons of critters. Chain morays, green morals, permit, eagle rays -- all in shallow water. Both resorts have the Prince Albert and DC3 right off the beach. It's just a longer trek while carrying your gear at FI.

There's not much to do at CCV except dive. They don't have a huge beach for sunbathing like FI, but they have gazebos, decks, and plenty of chaise lounges and hammocks. CCV has about 1/3 the number of rooms that FI has. CCV also discourages children while FI encourages them. There is a bar, but not many drinkers. There's a pool table and a TV upstairs in the clubhouse. It rarely gets used. Most of the time between the dives and in the evenings is spent hanging out with other divers and relaxing.

CCV is the most relaxed resort I have ever been to. The only one in a hurry is Poncho. He spends his days chasing his tennis ball or playing tug-of-war with whoever he can talk into it. Or leaping off the gazebo railing into the water. Or going for kayak rides with anybody who shows up and doesn't throw him off!

 

[C Chris]

CocoView... IMHO, arguably the best designed dive resort in the Caribbean. - Chris

 

[NAIBdiver1]

Some people like this. some that. We've been to FIBR 2X and have had a great time both times and are planning a return trip this winter.

We usually do "shore" night dives every night while there (except the official night boat dive night). At FIBR you can either do a shore dive from the gazebo or as we prefer, a small boat takes us from the dive shop area and drops us off where we want to start our night dive. Either Coco View wall, Neumann's wall or the Prince Albert, ending back at he gazebo where we phone the dive shop and the little boat is straightaway back to pick us up and a nice little ride back to the dive shop area.

We've throughly enjoyed our visits to FIRB. We're different - we even liked the food ! Oh, one more thing - the service. When our evening waitress found out that I liked Fresca and none was available at the resort, she stopped at a store on her way to work everyday and purchased bottles of Fresca for me. Of course I reimbursed her and gave her a nice tip, but that was OUTSTANDING and very thoughtful service !

NAIBDiver1

 

[CODMAN]

I also had a good experience at FIBR. The only complaint was the sloppieness about the Nitrox... We were max 10 aboard our boat all week... Though I went during the rainy season of october...

 

[hashbrown]

Got back from FIBR a couple of weeks ago. I had a trip report all written up but it got lost when the site went down.

In short rooms were good, bathrooms were old but are being slowly remolded by the new owners. Service was exceptional, well above our expectations. Food was pretty good even by picky standards. The beach was beautiful and picturecard-esque. We were on Gustavo's dive boat and had an amazing time. He was always so friendly and happy to take us out.

The ability to hop off the gazebo, or have the skiff drop us off at near the wreck or wall was great for night dives. There was one night where a huge number of people were night diving and we had to walk over to the gazebo, but it wasn't too bad.

There is also great night snorkeling. We actually saw an amazing amount of life just to the left of the gazebo (3 octopus, 3 eels, 1 football sized hermit crab, a barracuda, and tons of shrimp in ONE night of snorkeling!)

We went with a group of six and other than my wife, who prefers slightly newer, more fru-fru accomodations, we would all go back for sure. We had a group of 3 divers, 3 non-divers.

 

[diverrick]

I have been to both of them, and found both to be excellent choices. if I were to add anything to what's already been said it would be.. CCV is biult for divers, operated for divers. Thats what they do, DIVING!! and they do it very well.
OTOH, FI has more of a "vacation" feel to it, and they offer diving as one of many activities. They also have skiing, jet skis, sailboats, beaches, swim lagoon, etc. They are targeting different audiences. So figure out if you want a relaxing vacation with some diving, or to dive while on vacation, and your choice will be easier. Yoou can't go wrong with either one IMHO.

 

[diveprof]

Going back to FI shortly. Had a great time last year. The shore diving can be done from either resort - not that much difference in distance really and taking the skiff to where you want to begin your dive is way easy. Beach is nicer at FI. Wait a minute!!! The diving is horrible at both resorts, don't dare go there (can't blame a guy for wanting to keep the crowds away )

 

[Doc]

I have been to both of them.

And thus, here is a diver with a breadth of experience sufficient to answer the question.

Roatan is a most unusual place in one odd regard. People can spend a week at this or that resort and return with polar opposite impressions that they are sure are universal.

As example of this anomoly specific to this question:

> The shore dive from each of these two closely neighboring resorts is absolutely different in every respect. Although it looks like the same dive, it is not.

> When standing on one resort's boat, the other resort's boat looks identical. They are different in many, many critical ways.

> One resort copied the other resort's gear room/locker facilities. It didn't work so well.

Here's a satellite image: http://www.wikimapia.org/#y=16359406&x=-86431589&z=16&l=0&m=a&v=2

Compare them? You have got to visit them all before you can say, or- you can find someone who has at least done both. There is no one resort for everyone, but DiverRick has it in perspective, a perspective drawn from broad-based experience.

He did leave out the part about the occasional topless sunbathing "neice" who can be found at the FIBR beach.

 

[BTravlin]

I have been to FIBR twice and was very happy with both trips. While FIBR does offer more to the non-diver, skip a dive during the week and it's like practically having the resort to yourself. Most guests are underwater during the day. If you do go, request rooms in the new section since they are larger and nicer. Great value overall.