Looking to try something different. Are there good dive operators and resorts on either Roatan or Utila that are approprate places for youth divers? Appropriate would be defined as: daily boat dives that are easy, with things to see and do while limited to 40 foot max depth; 65 cubic foot tanks available; you don't need to lug your gear a long way; and if possible, have good shore diving available without long surface swims. Your thoughts/recommendations would be appreciated. Should I just stick with Curacao which I know is a hit?
Good location for youth diver?
- Thread starter Lyle C
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"Limited to a 40 foot depth max"
That's the deal killer, anywhere you go.
What you are asking for is a specifically tailored dive profile for 1 out of 20 divers.
You're going to have to hire a DM for your youthful diver, or act in that capacity yourself.
If you accept the above as a given, all places you describe or could travel to are just fine.
That's the deal killer, anywhere you go.
What you are asking for is a specifically tailored dive profile for 1 out of 20 divers.
You're going to have to hire a DM for your youthful diver, or act in that capacity yourself.
If you accept the above as a given, all places you describe or could travel to are just fine.
Thanks for the response. I have no issues staying with my son and exploring while staying above 40 feet. Hopefully that is acceptable to the dive operators or do most require you to stay with the group? It appears by your response there are things to see and do while staying within that limit.
riftvalley84
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We were in Roatan in February with our 3 kids (12, 14 & 16) and stayed at Fantasy Island Resort. We were very impressed all around. The kids loved it, including the monkeys 
. Our kids went deeper than 40' but since a lot of the dives are wall dives, it is easy to stay at 40' even if most of the group is below you. The set up they have for keeping your gear before dives is very convenient as you store your stuff right at the docks. (We always took our computers with us back to our rooms). Also, you are assigned a boat while there so when doing 2 or 3 boat dives you leave your gear right on the boat. The shore dives are really easy to. They actually take you to the spot you are diving by a small motor boat so there is no surface swim. If you know you don't want to go deeper than 40', just find out which dives (i.e. Mary's Place) are deeper and therefore you may want to miss.
Hope this help! My husband was just saying yesterday that we should go back there.
. Our kids went deeper than 40' but since a lot of the dives are wall dives, it is easy to stay at 40' even if most of the group is below you. The set up they have for keeping your gear before dives is very convenient as you store your stuff right at the docks. (We always took our computers with us back to our rooms). Also, you are assigned a boat while there so when doing 2 or 3 boat dives you leave your gear right on the boat. The shore dives are really easy to. They actually take you to the spot you are diving by a small motor boat so there is no surface swim. If you know you don't want to go deeper than 40', just find out which dives (i.e. Mary's Place) are deeper and therefore you may want to miss. Hope this help! My husband was just saying yesterday that we should go back there.
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That's how I do it. Staying above is indeed staying with the group. The closer to the surface, the more life there is. It's really up to the dive buddies to set their profiles and depths. If you hire a personal DM, they will do your bidding.
40 foot is no magic safety limit. I would advise that you go beyond the quantitative measurement of depth and consider what you are really most concerned with. If someone gets in trouble at 40 feet or 5 feet, they're still going to be in trouble. If I am commercially assigned to chaperone a juvenile at any depth, he will surface and see the sunset. It's a matter of attentiveness and supervision until they can manage their own safety. I dive with specific adults on assignment that I must watch like a hawk- they have zero dive sense but they have the desire and wherewithall to "make it happen".
I have seen motivated and aware young ones have a ball when they are given access to a local DM and a magnifying glass. It might cost you $20 per dive (in a multi-dive package if you shop in Roatan), but well worth the expense.
You don't have to go deep to have a good time, but there is nothing present to prevent any diver from exceding their limits. A DM can only do so much on a group dive, a private hire DM is a whole different deal. Might be well advised for at least the first three days... then turn the puppy loose under your close supervision. Then let the kid be your guide!
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