CoCo view or Fantasy Island?

[parrotheaddiver]

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.

Well both places have boats that makes them fairly similar.... but we both know where my heart is

 

[ncchuck]

If those are the only two choices you are willing to consider, choose FI. The $700 savings will go along way toward another trip. The resorts dive the save places and that's why you are going.

I was trying to make a similar decision just a few week ago. I contacted Reef House, told them about the special at FI and they gave me a very good deal and I still saved several hundred versus CCV. Read my review of Reef House if you are interested in considering other alternatives.

 

[Byte Me]

Codman, well put. We hadn't been to Roatan ever and picked it for our "big" vacation this year. Got hooked up w/ the Dive Camp group going to CCV 4/4 - 4/18, we joined them for the second week 4/11 - 4/18. Once I had read all about it I was convinced I'd be happy there but not sure about my non diving spouse. CCV exceeded my expectations which were already VERY high. My wife had a wonderful time and only groused a bit about my 20 dives during the week! She was in full relax mode by Sunday AM and it normally takes her a couple days to get comfortable.

The FI specials sure seem inviting but after being to CCV I'd be hard pressed to say that when we go back to Roatan we'll give FI a try. The bar was raised pretty high by CCV and I'm afraid I'd spend the whole week walking around noticing things that were different and having that distract from my time there. If I had unlimited vacation and vacation budget, sure I'd give it a shot and write up a comparison. But I don't so we need to maximize our bang for the buck. There is more to vacation value than just a low price.

 

[robint]

ditto parrotheaddiver and ByteMe - I know where I will be going. I looked at that special deal, and thought about it for only a moment. The differences between the two places are BIG to me. To others though, they may not be such a big deal. I have been diving for awhile now and know exactly what makes me happy, and CCV has it.

 

[Cajuncru Diver]

Hey guys, what's the big deal about Coco being so much greater than Fantasy Island for "dedicated divers" because you do Four(4) dives per day. I Pretty much consider myself a dedicated diver, I go to FI not for the pool, beach but for the diving. We make three boat dives per day to different dive sites each dive---if I want to all I do is ask Robert to have the divemaster put an extra tank on the boat and they will drop me off at Coco View Wall, Newman's Wall or over the top of the Prince Albert and I can swim in. Personally I don't see the big deal in spending five dive days at Coco View and diving four dives a day when two are repeat dives of the Coco View walls--by my count 5 x 4 = 20 dives during the week at the same site. Like you guys say, it's just what you like, personally that doesn't appeal to me.

 

[Doc]

Personally I don't see the big deal in spending five dive days at Coco View and diving four dives a day when two are repeat dives of the Coco View walls--by my count 5 x 4 = 20 dives during the week at the same site.

The two "same dives" each day are only the same territory in the last 300 feet.

In the morning, after the 08:30 moored dive, they will drop you off for Dive #2 on the Sunlit Newman's Wall at the bottom left. You'll be back in shore with 45 minutes to get ready for lunch at noon.

In the afternoon, after the 2:00 moored dive, then for Dive #4 most prefer where the Sun is hitting- CoCoView Wall on the bottom right. You'll finish up maybe 4:30 or so, many dawdle in the shallows until 5:15.

<- click on this to make it larger

After these two distinct walls converge to "the same old territory", that places you on the wreck. From there, the swim into CCV is about 300'. I will also add that the distance between the resort and the wreck is far more appealing in terms of clarity than the distance from the wreck to the FIBR Gazebo- but I don't see that as a limiting factor.

I just did 52 dives there in two weeks. Each was different. I usually ask for dives #2 & #4 to be dropped off over the wreck. Talk about redundancy! And I never am disappointed in what I find. In early April, on a drop off dive, a dad and lad spotted a Hammerhead on CCV Wall up close and personal. When they got to the Prince Albert Wreck, they were treated to a huge Atlantic Manta. 300' from their room.

People on CCV boats are throwing themselves in the water at the slightest offer. There is the difference. You don't "have to ask the DM", your drop-off dive (#2 & #4) is just assumed by the DMs. At FIBR, people largely have different agendas.

You can go to FIBR and get as much diving as CCV, but after having recently partaken in a day at FIBR, all I can say is- it was a lot more work at FIBR. The hump of getting on a boat at 9, 11 & 2:30 wears one down and left time for 5.5 hrs between breakfast and lunch... if one were to do both the 9 & 11 dive- which very few did. Most do one or the other, a few will add the afternoon dive.

No one place is for everyone, but the mass of 5x a day divers seem to find CCV.

Take a look at Roatan Reef House Resort Reef House Resort Roatan pictures by Doc_Adelman - Photobucket which as an AI accesses all of the same South side reefs (bathed in Sunlight) but has a decidedly "early Roatan" flavor.

 

[farsidefan1]

I'v stayed at both within the last year. Both are totally acceptable to me (3rd world, of course) for an all inclusive resort. I like to do a lot of diving and both take care of that need. I found I didn't do nearly as much shore diving at FI because of the inconvenience of calling for the little transit boat and hoping they would be there when I came up. Just a nagging irritation that led me to limit shore diving (my problem, not theirs). Food was comparable I did like the icecream at FI), rooms at Cocovies were significantly nicer, as were the boats, storage facilties showers, places to hang stuff to dry. I'm heading to cocoview Saturday but I'd not be unhappy if FI was my destination. I would say that you get what you pay for and if it isn't that big a deal to you go FI and save the bucks.

 

[CajunDiva]

You can go to FIBR and get as much diving as CCV, but after having recently partaken in a day at FIBR, all I can say is- it was a lot more work at FIBR. The hump of getting on a boat at 9, 11 & 2:30 wears one down and left time for 5.5 hrs between breakfast and lunch... if one were to do both the 9 & 11 dive- which very few did. Most do one or the other, a few will add the afternoon dive.

No one place is for everyone, but the mass of 5x a day divers seem to find CCV.



I think you hit the nail on the head. It depends on your dive personality. It seems that if all you want to do is dive, dive, dive...then CCV might be more appealing. Personally, three dives a day and maybe a night dive every now and then is plenty for me. There are too many other adventures available to get involved in! I love to interact with the island people and enjoy other options and activities in addition to diving.

In reality, FIBR and CCV are side by side, share some of the same amazing dive opportunities and are compatible in many ways. The divemasters at the two resorts are all friends, the boats often end up at the same dive site and "play nice" together. I don't feel the need to put down one or the other. They're both amazing! It's just a matter of which place suits your dive personality better.

Fantasy Island is my "happy place" and where I dream of returning to time after time!

 

[rje634]

I'll be at FI 5/23 - 5/30 and I'll let you know my impressions of it when I return.

BTW thanks to everyone in this thread for the great information on FI..