halocline
Contributor
There are lots of places in the West End that are pretty reasonable. Cocolobo is pretty nice, and there's a nice house with a couple of rentals right next door that's also very reasonable. A woman named Jenny owned it a couple of years ago, I haven't been down there since so I don't know what's going on with it now. Coconut tree is an excellent shop to take OW classes from; I wouldn't even bother doing the pool stuff up north. The "pool" in the West End is half moon bay, and believe me that's a lot nicer to learn in than a chlorinated swimming pool. They will provide you with all equipment including mask and fins, if you don't want to buy anything before going. There's also a mares distributor right in the West End that has good prices on Mares gear; I've bought a couple of pairs of fins and a couple of masks there. I wouldn't buy a Mares reg or BC (well I wouldn;t buy any jacket BC, but that's a contentious issue on SB) but the fins and masks are very good IMO.
Send Gaye an email at coconut tree and describe exactly what you're looking for in terms of a place to stay. She really knows the area and will help you out. You might be able to find a rental between West End and West Bay; some of those places are really nice.
West Bay is beautiful but pricier. It's a slightly older, more upscale crowd. West End is a little funkier and livelier, lots of younger people and some decent not-too-expensive restaurants.
Send Gaye an email at coconut tree and describe exactly what you're looking for in terms of a place to stay. She really knows the area and will help you out. You might be able to find a rental between West End and West Bay; some of those places are really nice.
West Bay is beautiful but pricier. It's a slightly older, more upscale crowd. West End is a little funkier and livelier, lots of younger people and some decent not-too-expensive restaurants.