CoCo view or Fantasy Island?

[billmosel]

Hi all. I could use some advise. I went to CoCo view in 2007 and loved it. Now Fantasy Island has specials. $749 for a week includes nitrox, beer, wine and local cocktails. Is there much difference between the 2 resorts? I understand that FI is going thru some renovations. Like I said I love CoCo View but the bottom line is that $350+ seems to be a big difference. Any info would be helpful. Thanks.

 

[robint]

Hi all. I could use some advise. I went to CoCo view in 2007 and loved it. Now Fantasy Island has specials. $749 for a week includes nitrox, beer, wine and local cocktails. Is there much difference between the 2 resorts? I understand that FI is going thru some renovations. Like I said I love CoCo View but the bottom line is that $350+ seems to be a big difference. Any info would be helpful. Thanks.

What did you like about CCV?
FI is much bigger, has families and probably a mix of divers/non-divers, a pool and a beach. Yes, I saw that special price too and was tempted for a second until I thought about those things that make them so different. So it is all about what you like.

 

[BDSC]

I know in todays economy $350 isn't chump change and to me it never really is, but if you loved CCV then I would say, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it".

In all fairness I have never stayed at FI and I have read some good reviews, but I have also read some really bad reviews of the place in the past. You hardly ever see anyone write a bad review of CCV.

I guess the bottom line could be, "You get what you pay for".

But good luck with whatever you choose and have fun diving.

 

[billmosel]

At CCV the 4 dives a day + the house reef were great even though 2 of the dives were dropoffs at the same reef. The dive lockers and access to the house reef were good. The food was so so. The rooms were fine although not much time spent there. And the people were always very helpful. I was just wondering if FI has the same type of setup. The pool and beach at FI is a nice touch. As I said, if everything is equal, the $350+ (x's 2, my wife)could go to another trip.

 

[BDSC]

Tell you what. I vote that you and the wife go and stay at FI for the week! Then come back and give us a report. I've only stayed at CCV so that would give one of us on the thread experience at both.

Like you said, $350 times two really does add up.

 

[parrotheaddiver]

I have never stayed at FI but I echo what other posters have said....since it is such a savings you ought to check it out and report what you find....

I don't know if you can see this pics of FIBR Fantasy Island Roatan pictures by Doc_Adelman - Photobucket but Doc posted these on Coco chat and it shows how FIBR is laid out....looks fairly similar to CCV....I would think the down side for me would be the two house reefs and the PA are a bit further away as a shore dive...the restuarant is sit down w/menu but I have heard that the food is so so...but you are in another country and nothing is going to taste like Burger King....but I do love the garlic mashed potatoes and roast beef at CCV

 

[BigHarryDiver]

Hi - we just returned form Fantasy Island Saturday evening after spending a wonderful week there (April 18-25).

Comments about ongoing renovations are correct, but they did not effect us in anyway. The work crews (only a few that I saw) are there when the rest of us are diving our butts off. If you arrive and feel you are in a less that quality room, just ask the front desk and they will probably let you move (and provide the muscle to move your gear). That's what happened to us and we were VERY happy with our 2nd room. The first they assigned us was not yet renovated and was in rough shape. Three boat dives a day, plus unlimited shore dives... that is what they offer.

Boats leave at 9am, 11am and 2:30pm. They normally return between dives since most dive sites are only a 10 minute ride or so, with the exception of Calvin's Crack and a few others. On the further out dives, they make it a 2 tank trip. Their boats are comfortable with plenty of room (IMO). We were a group of 11 divers, and 1 non-diver from Wilmington DE and never felt crowded. We had some days of high winds but the boats still go out. Its a bit more challenging to get back on board but the boat captain and dive master were a great help. Even offering to haul your gear back on if you had back, leg health etc.. issues. The shore dives from the gazebo are a great night dive, I did one every night except when we did our night boat dive. They will shuttle you from the dive shop to the dive site via a small John Boat. At the end of your dive, you exit the water up the ladder at the gazebo and call the boat to come pick you up. If you opt to lug your gear back on foot, its about a 15 minute walk.

Resort: Nice location, great beach and pool. But in 1 week there, I never saw anyone in the pool and only a few on the beaches. If you are only planning to dive, they are great. If someone in your group doesn't dive, they may not be happy. As for bugs etc.. we had NO problem. We took DEET and Cactus Juice but never once needed. Never saw a mosquito and only got a couple no-see-um bites and they normally love me. They spray the area around the rooms every morning about 7:00am. Food - certainly not 5 star in my book but very good and plentiful. Local alcohol is also included but limited in choices. And as others have commented, the homemade ice cream is to die for.

All in all, a great trip and the price was right.

 

[robint]

I have never stayed at FI but I echo what other posters have said....since it is such a savings you ought to check it out and report what you find....

I don't know if you can see this pics of FIBR Fantasy Island Roatan pictures by Doc_Adelman - Photobucket but Doc posted these on Coco chat and it shows how FIBR is laid out....looks fairly similar to CCV....I would think the down side for me would be the two house reefs and the PA are a bit further away as a shore dive...the restuarant is sit down w/menu but I have heard that the food is so so...but you are in another country and nothing is going to taste like Burger King....but I do love the garlic mashed potatoes and roast beef at CCV

Yeah, I call the food at CCV "home style" meals. Very good basic flavorful food, not gourmet but not crap either. I had a few crap meals at our last dive destination (not Roatan) and that was really irritating (food was either bland or just bad). When I pay for food at a resort, all-inclusive or not, I expect the food to be edible and enough to fill me up. I don't care for gourmet food on a dive trip as too much froofroo tends to lead to indigestion and I dont' want that underwater!! :yuck: Plus, I get that kind of food at home since I am the cook.

If you are taking a non-diving spouse with you, I would check out FI. There isn't alot to do at CCV if you aren't diving or snorkeling!

robin

 

[Doc]

you can see this pics of FIBR Fantasy Island Roatan pictures by Doc_Adelman - Photobucket but Doc posted these and it shows how FIBR is laid out....looks fairly similar to CCV...

Similar only in the way that I might look similar to Ben Affleck. Two arms, legs, etc.

CCV: CoCoView Explained in Pictures pictures by Doc_Adelman - Photobucket

Start here:

Both are good ways to see the treasures of the South side. They are not similar.

here on :sblogo: This is an oft repeated question and discussion.

 

[CODMAN]

My take on the difference you'll live between the two, which is based on 1 week spent at FI and ALL I've read about cocoview (I've read a lot, but take it for what it's worth...) is pretty much as follows.

Price: You will save quite a bit at FI. Lets face it, it's cheaper.

Diving: You're diving the same sites, except maybe for the CCV front yard. FI boats can be quite full when they are busy (more than Cocoview which seems to limit # divers a bit more), but if you're lucky or in the off season you'll have the same number of divers on board. The dive boats at FI seem to have more mechanicals (less well maintained? Bad luck? Older? Who knows...), but physically ressemble the CCV boats (without the center well). Rental equipment was dismal when I was there (bring your own... Duh!). Nitrox needed constant monitoring and was regularly off (haven,t read anything like this at CCV). The dive center was mediocre. I wouldn't take a class there or have my reg serviced there if you paid me to (whereas CCV seems to have a pretty good dive center). But the rince tanks were OK and the locker room was OK (looks like the Cocoview locker room a bit). Dive center is 1-2 minute walk from the resort (close like CCV). There was fruit and water on the boat each dive. Schedule was rigid; they planned the weeks dives and stuck to the plan. No requests wer possible when I was there (I believe CCV is more adaptable). FI does 3 boat dives at different reefs (CCV does 4, but 2 dropoffs at the same reefs every day). FI will drop you off on shore dives upon request and you can do unlimited dives within certain guidelines and restrictions (CCV, as said many times, you just walk off the pier, whenever you want...). FI the DMs are basically guides to show you stuff, so don,t count on them for anything else. The attitude of the dive staff was so-so. Some good, some bad. A bit disinterested at times (CCV staff seems to aim to please, they are there for the divers!!! Above all else).

The resort: FI is big with lots of people, so occasions to socialise (CCV small and homely). Food at FI was poor (I'm picky) and has a better rep at CCV (although I'll bet I'd find it not that great either; I told you I was picky!!!!), although many people there found it good. The rooms at FI are basic and the colors a bit bland (CCV is nicer I think; love the seaside cabana look), but acceptable especially if you're there to dive dive dive. The lobby, dining area and bar are OK (CCV also). The outside pool is nice (no pool CCV). The beach is OK (no beach CCV) and there is more to do other than diving than CCV. FI will organise other activities for you (I believe CCV also).

In all, if you need to save money, want to dive tons and you are a responsible diver (you know your stuff, wether your own profiles, your gear or testing your Nitrox), FI is a great deal. It's not as dive oriented and the staff isn't going to bend over backwards for you (typical of bigger resorts). And they aren't the best dive OP I've seen. But if you want to dive a ton for cheap, they are hard to be beat.

Cocoview is 100% dive oriented. For the extra cash, you get staff who want you happy and in the water and know their stuff, a bit nicer resort (more cozy), a bit easier diving (less restrictions fro dive center and easier access to shore dives), better installations (boats, compressors, etc...) and an environment where everyone is a diver. Plus the front yard.

In my oppinion, the difference between the two is in the little differences which make CCV a dedicated dive resort. Is this worth the extra $$ to you? You be the judge of that!

Hope this helps!