Dive Shop Recommendation, Short on Time

[Laurie S.]

My friends and I are going on a Carnival cruise in August and one of the stops is Roatan. When I was there before, I dove with Bananarama and really loved them. However, this time, the ship will be there only between 8 am and 3 pm, which means we have to be on board at 2:30 pm. Having traveled out to Bananarama before, that short time period makes me nervous to try them again on this trip.

The last time I was there, I didn't get back to the ship until 4 pm, which was okay since it left at 5 pm. I don't want to watch Legend sail off without us.

What dive shops would you guys recommend on Roatan that are closer to Mahogany Bay? We're looking for a shop that would not put us on a cattleboat. Three of us will be diving, and probably two would be snorkling, if it's available. Two of us are advanced divers and one is newly certified.

 

[Doc]

...What dive shops would you guys recommend on Roatan that are closer to Mahogany Bay?...Three of us will be diving, and probably two would be snorkling, if it's available. Two of us are advanced divers and one is newly certified.

Right there is Wiahuka Shark Dive at Cara a Cara.
Roatan Shark Dive (Nothing for snorkelers)

If you want to mix snorkeling with divers, the best choice would be Fantasy Island or CoCoView, right next to each other.
FI would likely be cheaper and has bar facilities that are inviting, beach chairs on a nice sand beach,
CCV has slightly better access to good snorkeling and nicer boats.

FI has general info at http://www.fantasyislandresort.com/divingmain.html#

CCV has specific cruise ship info at CoCo View Resort in Roatan, Honduras : Frequently Asked Questions

Just down the road is also Barefoot Key, try and contact them to see what they can do for you at http://www.barefootcay.com/Diving/

 

[Subway Watersports]

Hi Laurie! I am the manager at Subway Watersports and we offer 2-tank dive excursions with pick-up/drop off at both cruise ship terminals. We customize our dive schedule for cruise ships so you will have time to do 2 dives no problem. If you have any questions feel free to email me and I will give you more information.

 

[Laurie S.]

Thanks!

 

[bkpix]

We did the shark dive last time to Roatan, and it was fun, Got some good photos and it certainly was entertaining enough. http://www.scubaboard.com/gallery/data/500/Reef_Shark3.jpg[/img

Time was a different thing altogether. The boat left over an hour later then scheduled time, that wasn't a problem for us, but having to get back to a ship might make for a different situation.

 

[roatandivingdiva]

Barefoot Divers located at Barefoot Cay would be your closest alternative, just a few minutes to the east of Mahogany Bay. They keep their dive groups small, so no cattleboats. They do 1-tank trips 3 times a day, so there should be times that will work for you.

 

[diversteve]

^ Roatan Dive Shop | 5 Star Dive Resort in Roatan - Bay Islands, Honduras - the two advanced divers could dive Mary's Place - not sure about the new diver. We dove with them - seven of us had their big boat to ourselves. It's really valet diving also, we unloaded our gear near the boat and picked it up cleaned after our 2nd dive - their DM did the rest unless you wanted to do it yourself. From Mary's Place our boat returned back to their dock b4 going to the 2nd dive so you could do one of their morning dives within your schedule - maybe both. IIRC correctly we arrived after 8:30 and had done 2 dives by noon - including a short boat ride to the FIBR area to dive the Prince Albert. There are also other good sites close by.

It can't be 5 minutes by taxi from Mahogany Bay either. And the snorkelers will have something to do also:

You can snorkel or swim in the ocean right in Barefoot Cay's front yard. The 260' dock leads to a 30' octagonal thatched palapa that has hammocks, Adirondack chairs, snorkel equipment. and a landing for kayaks. The sea off the palapa is approximately 15 feet deep and nearby there are two sunken boats that are becoming habitat for the many varieties of fish that surround Barefoot Cay. The reef in this protected area inside the breaking waves has an incredible amount of marine life.

Excellent food - and view upstairs - in their restaurant.

 

[Doc]

- the two advanced divers could dive Mary's Place -

Not if any given dive operation is abiding by the agreement for use of Mary's Place.

You simply can't get a cruise ship diver through the vetting process of diving there before they have to get back on their boat.

Unless something has changed

 

[diversteve]

You simply can't get a cruise ship diver through the vetting process of diving there before they have to get back on their boat.

Unless something has changed

This seems to indicate it's possible:

Cruise Ship Shore Excursions, Roatan 5 Star PADI Dive Shop

The option to dive Mary's Place (to protect this special site, divers must be Advanced Open Water certified, with a log book showing 50 logged dives and diving in last 6 months)

It's why I also posted:

not sure about the new diver.

 

[Laurie S.]

Thanks, I'll check that out. My dive buddy and I are going to Roatan in May and we could do Mary's Place then as we meet the requirements. It sounds really interesting!