How are the currents in June? What dive sites are NOT to miss? Where can we find reliable wind prediction? LOL is that possible?
I'm not sure trying to predict currents in advance is a realistic project. There was 1 of 20 days with strong current while I was there - no one predicted it. There will definitely be surge, which can feel like current at some sites, but usually if you stay far away/deep enough you can minimize it.
For wind, you could try wind guru - but better would likely be to ask the dive ops directly.
Dive sites not to miss: Bat Islands (more details
in my other post). We didn't have great Catalina dives, but I know some folks have had great experiences there.
A perfect rental... Private villa/house/condo/bungalow/treehouse ... 2 bedrooms on the beach.... soft bedding comforts.... pool preferred but not necessary IF we are beach front.... full kitchen would be great if possible OR studio type if we are close to restaurants .... air condition & wifi ... must be very clean & in Playa Del Coco Area .... within diving range of whichever operator will allow the longest dive times & willing to accommodate 2 female divers looking to spend time with macro! Suggestions : )
How much dive time are you looking for? If you want 45-50 min that shouldn't be a problem anywhere.
To get 60 minutes may take more work. If you are looking for longer dives and macro, Maurin at Rich Coast Diving is definitely my recommendation. While there is a macro person at Rocket Frog she is usually tasked with teaching, DSDs etc - RF could never once confirm me to dive with her in the 3 weeks I was there. Maurin you can dive with every day if you request her and besides being an excellent communicator and lots of fun, she has fantastic eyes for cryptic, tiny and rare animals (I would put her at Indonesian-level).
In terms of dive time, my Dec 2014-Jan 2015 experience:
Rich Coast Diving: Owner stated no dive time limits beyond gas and NDL in email. On the boat
, dives were limited to ~50 min. Maurin was kind enough to give us an occasional 70 or 80 min dive but other Instructors hassled her. When dive times returned to 50 min I spoke to the owner Martin, who said he didn't know the dives were being cut shorter than 60 min -- by that same morning dive times moved to 60 min where they stayed for the last 2 days.
Rocket Frog: Owner also stated no dive time limits beyond gas and NDL in email. On the boat dives were limited to 45-50 min. Spoke to the owner - got some 60 min dives and some 45 min dives. This op remained in denial that it was limiting dive time both directly (time limits in dive briefings) and indirectly with "stay with the group" orders - the group can be pulled up at 45 min or 37 min or earlier depending on how quickly newer divers ran out of gas.
Summer-Salt makes the bold public claim
on its website of not limiting dive times, but given my experience in this region you'll understand if I am skeptical. Would love to hear from someone who has actually dove with them whether they limited dive time or not. Check the websites for more info on boat size and amenities if that matters to you.
Accommodations: Your other post had not specified Playa del Coco area - if you are open to the beach next door, see if Los Almendros de Ocotal condos works for you. Following some research on this board, I stayed in 2 condos there. They're individually owned, so furnishings and specialty kitchen equipment vary (all have microwaves, coffee makers etc - some have spices, some have specialized appliances, e.g. waffle maker, rice cooker), but our 2 and 3 BRs both all had full kitchens, AC, pool, wifi, great ocean views. 1 was ocean front, 1 ocean view. The complex's own website isn`t great - VRBO and TA have more detail. You can rent individual units either through the Los Almendros office or through VRBO. Rich Coast offers free transfers to/from, or you can walk to Rocket Frog which is on site. Only 1 nearby restaurant - cab to Playas del Coco for more restaurants and all supermarkets.
Lots of other options on VRBO if you want to rent a car. Also you can ask Rich Coast what they would recommend.
