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Diving Newbie - Recommendations for learning to dive in Roatan during a honeymoon?
- Thread starter deepnum09
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DivingNole
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I've stayed at Bananarama in West Bay twice with their dive package, but you're still pushing it with the $1500 limitation for two. Never mind, just looked at the website and it looks like their package prices have increased. 
This might be a tough one, anyone have a tent they're willing to lend?
This might be a tough one, anyone have a tent they're willing to lend?
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Which agency is going to issue that card...?
flareside
Contributor
I've stayed at Bananarama in West Bay twice with their dive package, but you're still pushing it with the $1500 limitation for two. Never mind, just looked at the website and it looks like their package prices have increased.
Actually, you didn't dig deep enough on the Bananarama site. On the specials page Dive Package Specials | BananaramaDive Eco Friendly Beach Front Resort PADI 5 Star Dive Center it indicates that if they go in May, they can do it for $730 each and that includes 7 nights, OW cert, airport xfers and breakfast each day. They will have to totally pig out at breakfast to where it lasts for 24 hours but it's workable.
The only problem is that the budget only leaves enough money for one departure tax so they are gonna have to flip a coin to see who has to stay ...
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$730 + tax & tip...?
I have seen people with plane tickets begging for departure tax money.
He needs a fundraiser...
I have seen people with plane tickets begging for departure tax money.
He needs a fundraiser...
hahaha... i laughed out loud when i read your last line flareside.
I'll see what I can come up with and if we'll be able to keep it under $1500. I was using this more as a guideline than a hard and fast limit. I think it's doable based on some of the research I've done. (For instance, I saw that Coconut Tree Divers has a dive package for $550/person/week which includes accommodation.) But we might only want accommodation and the OW course so it might be less. Anyway, I'll post a trip report when it's done and then we'll see how it all turned out
I'll see what I can come up with and if we'll be able to keep it under $1500. I was using this more as a guideline than a hard and fast limit. I think it's doable based on some of the research I've done. (For instance, I saw that Coconut Tree Divers has a dive package for $550/person/week which includes accommodation.) But we might only want accommodation and the OW course so it might be less. Anyway, I'll post a trip report when it's done and then we'll see how it all turned out
Bratface
Contributor
Don't forget to take meds to prevent Malaria.
Not to rain on your parade, but Roatan is where divers go to eat, sleep, dive. I would think a serious discussion is in order about yours and your wife-to-be's expectations about your honeymoon. If you were certified divers, I would think
you had made an excellent choice, although on a tight budget. Remember too, there are always unexpected expenses. You don't want to have a miserable time or have a memorable first fight on your honeymoon do you?
Not to rain on your parade, but Roatan is where divers go to eat, sleep, dive. I would think a serious discussion is in order about yours and your wife-to-be's expectations about your honeymoon. If you were certified divers, I would think
you had made an excellent choice, although on a tight budget. Remember too, there are always unexpected expenses. You don't want to have a miserable time or have a memorable first fight on your honeymoon do you?
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If you could pick a different island with an airfare that isn't in the high usery zone, you could save some money that way and push it back towards slightly higher accoms and meals. What's cheap? Cozumel? Likely a good thing to consider.
Just got back a few weeks ago with a family of 4....
For my daughter and son it cost $200 each to complete their Open Water referral with Coconut Tree Divers. - 4 dives in 2 days. My son went on to complete his Advanced Open Water in 2 more days for $280 - 5 more dives in 2 days (night dive was on Thursday). He had completed all the reading for the AOW prior to our arrival in Roatan. All the dive shop prices are pretty competitive. All your rental gear is included in the course dives. Additional dives would be $25 - $30 depending on the number of dives. If you are really looking to save money, you can get complete OW course in Roatan for a cheaper then doing part at home and the referral portion in Roatan. Not my first choice on a Honey Moon, but it is all about priorities.
We stayed at Sundancer's in West Bay and rented a 3 bedroom Cabana, 2 bathrooms, kitchen, etc. for $850 it was very much like renting a nice cabin in Wisconsin or Minnesota. You could probably get a much smaller one for $600. Recommend you talk to Lynn and Bob Milsaps. You would need to allow for cab fare back and fourth unless you rent a car, but cab fare is pretty cheap. We rented a car mostly from a logistics standpoint because we like to explore and dealing with logistics of 4 people on different schedules.
That leaves about $400 - $500 for food if you only do 4 dives each. You can definitely eat for reasonable prices, we took advantage of the kitchen for breakfast, bought eggs, fresh fruit from street vendors, etc. Lunch - so many choices in West End, but Sun Downers is a must for lunch, on the beach, great food - grilled chicken sandwich for $8 and relatively quick service at that time of day. Dinner - depends on what you want - prices are comparable to prices in the states, seemed a little cheaper on the higher end food.
If you decide you like diving after your OW course (keep in mind you will be doing drills in the first 4 dives that make the dives not quite as much fun), I would move directly to the AOW course and spend the money from the additional fun dives on the course. The AOW dives still have drills, but have more "fun" time as well. You can complete your OW in 2 days, take a break and then do your AOW in 2 - 3 days and still have time to blow on more dives.
You can also see a lot of great stuff snorkeling in front of Sun Dancers, a couple of our snorkel trips were better then some of the dives I did from a sea life stand point.
If you want to save some money on diving and lodging check out Atlantic Sea Divers. My son and I took a walk one day and stumbled into to them. I was very impressed by their service oriented dive operation. They offer a package for diving and lodging that was in the $550 range for a week. We checked out a room with 3 beds for the future, would not work for our family because that is what it was - a room with 3 beds and bathroom, but you might be able to find a room for 2 that works. The package deal had a learn to dive option as well. There website not much to look at, but their location is good and the grounds around their cabins are very nice and right on the beach. Ask for Carlos he is their manager.
Good luck if we could find cheap airfare to Roatan we would definitely go back sooner then later.
For my daughter and son it cost $200 each to complete their Open Water referral with Coconut Tree Divers. - 4 dives in 2 days. My son went on to complete his Advanced Open Water in 2 more days for $280 - 5 more dives in 2 days (night dive was on Thursday). He had completed all the reading for the AOW prior to our arrival in Roatan. All the dive shop prices are pretty competitive. All your rental gear is included in the course dives. Additional dives would be $25 - $30 depending on the number of dives. If you are really looking to save money, you can get complete OW course in Roatan for a cheaper then doing part at home and the referral portion in Roatan. Not my first choice on a Honey Moon, but it is all about priorities.
We stayed at Sundancer's in West Bay and rented a 3 bedroom Cabana, 2 bathrooms, kitchen, etc. for $850 it was very much like renting a nice cabin in Wisconsin or Minnesota. You could probably get a much smaller one for $600. Recommend you talk to Lynn and Bob Milsaps. You would need to allow for cab fare back and fourth unless you rent a car, but cab fare is pretty cheap. We rented a car mostly from a logistics standpoint because we like to explore and dealing with logistics of 4 people on different schedules.
That leaves about $400 - $500 for food if you only do 4 dives each. You can definitely eat for reasonable prices, we took advantage of the kitchen for breakfast, bought eggs, fresh fruit from street vendors, etc. Lunch - so many choices in West End, but Sun Downers is a must for lunch, on the beach, great food - grilled chicken sandwich for $8 and relatively quick service at that time of day. Dinner - depends on what you want - prices are comparable to prices in the states, seemed a little cheaper on the higher end food.
If you decide you like diving after your OW course (keep in mind you will be doing drills in the first 4 dives that make the dives not quite as much fun), I would move directly to the AOW course and spend the money from the additional fun dives on the course. The AOW dives still have drills, but have more "fun" time as well. You can complete your OW in 2 days, take a break and then do your AOW in 2 - 3 days and still have time to blow on more dives.
You can also see a lot of great stuff snorkeling in front of Sun Dancers, a couple of our snorkel trips were better then some of the dives I did from a sea life stand point.
If you want to save some money on diving and lodging check out Atlantic Sea Divers. My son and I took a walk one day and stumbled into to them. I was very impressed by their service oriented dive operation. They offer a package for diving and lodging that was in the $550 range for a week. We checked out a room with 3 beds for the future, would not work for our family because that is what it was - a room with 3 beds and bathroom, but you might be able to find a room for 2 that works. The package deal had a learn to dive option as well. There website not much to look at, but their location is good and the grounds around their cabins are very nice and right on the beach. Ask for Carlos he is their manager.
Good luck if we could find cheap airfare to Roatan we would definitely go back sooner then later.
lpulkrabek
Guest
We are just flying back from two weeks at Barefoot Cay on French Harbor. We are 13+ year divers with over 200 dives under our belts. We were blown away by Barefoot Diver's quality and caliber of dive staff. The only dive masters they have are those in training. Everyone else is a dive instructor. More than anything, they make everything fun.
My husband and I took the rescue diver course from this dive shop. We had a blast, worked hard and learned alot. You can't go wrong with this dive shop. We will go back there next time we dive in Roatan.
The resort was amazing. It is an all-inclusive, but well worth every penny. Their attention to detail and laid back atmosphere made it VERY hard to leave today. Enjoy diving!
My husband and I took the rescue diver course from this dive shop. We had a blast, worked hard and learned alot. You can't go wrong with this dive shop. We will go back there next time we dive in Roatan.
The resort was amazing. It is an all-inclusive, but well worth every penny. Their attention to detail and laid back atmosphere made it VERY hard to leave today. Enjoy diving!
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