DM internship in Roatan - Subway or Coconut tree?

[kristrunelsa]

Hi guys,

I'm going to do my divemaster internship in Roatan next summer. I've narrowd my options down to two. I'm either gonna go with Subway watersports or Coconut tree divers.

I've heard that there is more fun to be had with CTD than with SW and that Subway is a bit isolated on the eastern part of the island.

Has anyone done their DM internships with either of those dive centers and is willing to share their experience?

I would be oh so grateful!

p.s. I'm looking for an internship with good instructors, good training and good dove sites. But I also want to have fun with my fellow students. I'm a twenty five year old girl.

Best regards,

Kristrún from Iceland.

 

[diversteve]

I have no experience with either program but we did dive a week with CTD a couple years ago. They're a great group of folks starting with PJ and Gay the owners - they seem to make it fun for everyone who dives/works there. And Gay cares about everyone.

I did observe Will their course director giving an advanced class review one afternoon - on the patio. He seemed very thorough.

You've also got to like a dive crew who stripped all the dive gear off the boat one Friday to go fishing - and then would have put it back to take us out at the last minute - we didn't let them.

The West End pretty much starts at Coconut Tree and goes west from there. Subway is at Palmetto Bay, that would be a couple mile drive from there. You'd probably have to get a scooter. I've never been to Palmetto Bay but have been to AKR slightly west of there - there's not a lot to do in that area afaik - it's more jungle with houses/resorts along the road.

I think you'll find more affordable housing options in the West End also - including CTD's $5/nt. dorm for students. I have a friend who completed her DM and Instructor training with CTD - her and her husband stayed in a nearby apt. cheaply. I'd put you in contact with her but they're somewhere in South Africa now afaik. You can read about her experiences there on her blog: Home

We also participated in a DM graduation ceremony on Friday night, that was a pretty liquid evening...lol. And the pub crawl down the West End is probably the thing to do there. I think you'd be too far removed from the fun at Subway - unless you live in the West End and drive there for training.

The market (Woody's) is in the West End. There's also a little store in the CTD building.The next closest one (correct me if I'm wrong) is in Coxen Hole on the other side of the island. Some of our group stayed at CTD in the cabins behind the main building - one thing I noticed was that when the power went out (frequently) their generator always seemed to kick in seamlessly.

In the West End there are a couple dozen options for lunch/dinner ranging from street stands to a fairly expensive Thai food restaurant - and everything in between. Rotisserie Chicken was excellent - five of us stuffed ourselves for $21. Oolontho - about a block off the water is an awesome (and expensive) Indian place. Argentinean Grille for steaks was good and we found ourselves more than once at Sundowners - it's a diver bar right on the beach - decent cheap sandwiches w/Internet access.

Will maintains a pretty good website with suggestions - Bay Islands Diver Home

I understand that the diving may be a little better to the east but we only went that way once - to Spooky Channel - so Subway may have a slight location advantage.

hth,

 

[kristrunelsa]

Thank you so much for this. It's a great help. I'm so excited.

 

[Jimmy Roatan]

if you are looking to party, West End is the place. if you want to dive, the east end does have better sites, not on the maps, less tourists and the coral is in much better shape. Subways is located in Turquoise Bay which is mid island. they are more of a resort and have a private beach. my favorite is Tropical Island Divers on the dirt road to Port Royal. they a great dive operation, plus offer kite boarding, windsurfing, and trips to the islands east of Roatan, cutting through the mangrove forest. i have heard good things about all these dive shops.

 

[kristrunelsa]

Thank you so much Jimmy!

I'm really leaning towards Subway. Good diving is the most important thing. I guess I can just go to the west end for partying at night if it's not too far?

 

[CajunDiva]

Thank you so much Jimmy!

I'm really leaning towards Subway. Good diving is the most important thing. I guess I can just go to the west end for partying at night if it's not too far?

I can tell you that the people at Subway are great and the location is remote but beautiful

We went to visit there last year and dive with our friends who run the dive shop. It was a great experience...I'm sure you would love it there!

 

[kristrunelsa]

That's so good to hear! Thank you. The people you are with matter a great deal when diving

 

[georoc01]

I don't know how large the Subway DM program is, but the training program at CTD was impressive when I was there in May. I spent two weeks taking a tech class from Monte, and watched as they had virtually constant classes going on every day so there is lots of opportunities to observe, assist students. I would certainly consider doing my DM with them, especially if you have aspirations of moving onto Instructor as some point.

 

[kristrunelsa]

Thank you georoc. I've heard good things about CTD as well.

 

[aggiediver17]

hey!

i spent this past summer in roatan doing my DM internship at Subway and i absolutely loved it! I think one of the best things about it is that they have a place for you to stay.. im not going to say it was the nicest place in roatan, but it was nice not having to worry about that and i always had a ride to work in the morning.
if you choose between subway and coconut tree you won't go wrong. i love the west end and i'm sad i didnt get to dive there. it is a different kind of dive operation though because they interact with alot more people than subway did. most of our guests were from the resort where the dive shop is located. subway has two shops in roatan. the larger one is at turquoise bay and the other one is at palmetto bay plantation. there is some wonderful diving in roatan and every day i want to go back! if you have any questions let me know!
the instructor at turquoise is amazing! he will set high standards and expect you to complete them well. you will be molded into a good DM with his instruction!