great hotel shore diving?

[SteveFass]

I'd settle for "not bad at all". Thanks.

 

[Divedoggie]

I'm with you on the afternoon and night shore dives. The Reefs accessed by boat are so dramatic, that the shore dive doesn't compare. But, I am not doing it to compare.
It is spontaneous, easy, still beautiful, great at night, relaxing, and cheap.
I saw a huge eagle ray feeding on the bottom, and then coast around me for a good 5 minutes....50 feet off the shore, in 16 feet of water, at Fiesta Americana.

I will bet that I do at least 6 - 8 shore dives between Villablanca and Caribe Blu on this next trip!

 

[donooo]

Both Scuba Club and Caribe Blu have better shore dives if you take a taxi a mile up the beach and ride down. Let's see, once in the day, once at night, once with a taxi during the day, once with a taxi at night. I think that's four different dives. And throw in one or two out front with the current to strong. Lots of variety.

adios don O

 

[Shader]

I'd settle for "not bad at all". Thanks.

Just returned from Caribe Blu today and must say the shore dives there are quite nice. Of course nothing compared to the boat dives. You also have unlimited free shore dives if you are staying there. I really enjoyed the small hotel and liked diving with Blue Angel. We saw many critters on the scrub reef between Villa Blanca and Caribe Blu.

Paraiso Reef in front of Presidente is also really great place too but I don't think you can get access through there if your not staying with them . I did see a few people gearing up on shore on the other side of the Caleta Marina inlet next to Presidente though so there must be access from the Marina.

 

[Moodiejeff]

So can anyone recommend a nice hotel with great shore diving?

I think you're going to notice that most recommendations will be for The Presidente or Caribe Blu.

I've done the Presidente shore dive about 10 times and Caribe Blu's once. Both are nice but I will give the edge to The Presidente. Presidente is right off Paradise reef and also has a sunken barge. Both hotels have had Sea Horses on their reefs but i hear they may have been poached - too bad.

Now price is a whole different matter... Caribe Blu will run you in the range of $70, Presidente starts at $200 (garden view) and goes up from there.

Is the Presidente worth 3X as much? Depends on your expectations... Want a no-frills dive trip with nice shore dive? Caribe Blu

Want to splurge a bit, get in good with the wife (they have a new spa), Have a real sand beach? Then go Presidente.

Obviously there are other choices, La Ceiba, Fiesta Americana, Villablanca etc. but I have no experience with any of those.

I stayed at The Presidente in Feb. and will be going back there in a week. I would not hesitate to recommend Caribe Blu however.