Dolphin Dive in Roatan?

[Midge907]

So now that the "Shark dive in Roatan" thread has gotten boring, now my question is "How is the Dolphin Dive in Roatan?". All the research that I have done leads to the conclusion that the Dolphin Encounters that are offered from misc. dive shops in Roatan are done at Anthonys Key, is this correct? If i'm at Coco View, what would thier iternerary consist of for doing a "Dolphin Encounter"? I have already decided not to do the Shark Dive, so I have some interest in doing the Dolphin dive, i'm not sure on the cost that will be offered once i'm there. Thanks.

 

[Doc]

So now that the "Shark dive in Roatan" thread has gotten boring, now my question is "How is the Dolphin Dive in Roatan?".

That's not exactly a new topic on this forum either, but you do throw in some variables specific to your trip.

Understand that the event which I half-jokingly refer to as the Dolphin Pester is offered in two distinct products, yes- by Anthony Key (AKR). (Mahogany Bay will surely have one up and working soon) The first version is the Dolphin Dive where they load you up on one of their deep-vee boats and take you for a sandy-bottom dive where the Dolphins are likely to follow out and zoom around you- sometimes for most of the entire dive, sometimes for twenty seconds.

The other version is the Dolphin Encounter (aka: the Grope) which is a snorkel environment in a pen which absolutely guarantees a lot of cool interaction with Flipper. It is quite a bit cheaper than the "Dive". It is the overwhelming opinion of those who have done both that the "Encounter" is preferable.

At CoCoView (CCV), where you are staying, this trip is organized and suggested as the "encounter" version so you can do it on Friday (AKR blocks-out space for CCV), the off-gassing day, altho you can arrange to do it any day of the week that AKR will have you. It involves a 35 minute ride down West and to the North side. Most people that go to CCV are interested in banging out their 4+1 each day, so they are unlikely to leave the resort until their pre-fly day on Friday. That's why CCV offers this as a group excursion at that time.

I don't recall what they charge at CCV, but it is a combination of the AKR fee plus your shared van ride.

You are going in January. This means that the diving from AKR (and any North or West Operation) may indeed be marginal due to weather as "Northers" come crashing down. The "Encounter" will still be doable, but the "Dive" would be unlikely.

It is not uncommon from CCV to have the dive boats encounter pods of wild Dolphin, usually just to the East of the resort at Iron Shore or First Bight. No kind of Pay-for-Critter dive will come close to getting even a fleeting glimpse of the families in the wild. You jump in with snorkel gear, they may stick around, they may just buzz by, their babies might be very curious- whatever happens, when it does, it will be much more memorable than any time you pay for it.

 

[Midge907]

Thanks for the reply RoatanMan, I must say that was about as informative and to the point as you can get. I have been with dolphins in a natural setting with them just passing by, and just like sharks, I much rather see them in a setting thats not a "Show". I almost wouldnt mind going to AKR on the off gas day (Friday) just to check it out, I watched a video of the dolphin Dive on you tube, and must say I think snorkling with them may be more interesting in that type of setting. I will probally just hope to enjoy them on a regular dive if thats the way it works out.

 

[DazedAndConfuzed]

When I was at AKR, All I did was put on my mask & snorkel and swam to the dolphin holding area. Once I submerge, the dolphins would swim up the the next and start interacting with me, like wanting to be rubbed and bringing a seaweed to me so I could play fetch with them. I can't do dolphin hugs or rides or whatever the snorkeling with dolphin people get to do, but heck, I don't have to miss dives for it.