Holiday in Roatan (new to Scuba)

[mynamehere]

I am going to Roatan in may, and have done endless reseach online - which includes contacting a divemaster in Roatan thru myspace - just for local insight.

I was originally considering staying at Seabreeze Inn, and diving thru sueno del mar (package is $425 pp 7nts/3 dives per day, but i think the price has just gone up slightly). I have heard great things about sueno del mars diving operation - and i hear that you can use their facilities also, which includes kayaks and a pool), and the price is right at seabreeze. But i heard sueno is kind of far - (almost too far to walk frequently) from sea breeze and the busier area of west end.

but if you want to DIVE DIVE DIVE - Coconut Tree is 499 pp/double occ. that includes a cabin w/kitchen directly BEHIND the dive shop in West End - which is the place to be - and up to four dives per day(but...the first two dives of the day are usually advanced dives, so i dont know how that would work out for you, or if htey could accomodate you) and a night dive. I liek the idea of rolling out of bead and not having to go far to get to the dock. Please remeber, i have never been there. But the divemaster i spoke to said that Coconut Tree divers was the best option - even though she works for another outfit. And after extensive research, that is who i booked with. i wish i could speak from experience, but i hope this helps. I have also heard from other locals that it is better to get a room with a kitchen if you want to save money on meals. They are fully equiped and the fresh produce is super cheap. I guess it depends on your budget. If you dont have one, then perhaps all inclusive is the way to go - and worry free. I just like alot of variety, and have a tight budget. It depends on what you want from your stay.

And definately get all the theory done before you go. It will consume your vacation and take away from your diving - beacuse as far as i can tell, diving is the real reason to choose roatan in the first place. I dont think you can spend much time on the beaches beacuse of sand fleas and the other stuff like canopy tours, and horseback riding, and iguana farm will only take a small amount of your stay.

i think you'll find that once you start diving, you wont think about anything else.

 

[mynamehere]

oh, and btw, i dont think there is anything "upscale" about coconut tree cabins. but its right behind the dive shop.

 

[undefined]

mynamehere,

Coconut Tree Divers is our favorite dive shop, and you've probably seen my recent trip report summarizing our first two trips down there to dive with them. I haven't stayed at their cabins, but I think you'll be quite pleased with the dive operation.

As for food.... let me be honest here - getting good food (to cook) in West End can be challenging. Produce is available at times, seafood is available (look for the black pickup truck), but meat is of questionable quality. There is no true "Supermarket" in West End. Woody's (1 - 2 minute walk from Coconut Tree) has a decent selection of dry foods and a meager meat selection. The Coconut Tree grocer, located immediately next to the dive shop, has a very limited selection of food but enough to get you by if you get snack hungry. The other "market" in West End is not worth mentioning as a 7/11 is far superior in selection and quality.

Fortunately, if you go out to eat you shouldn't break the bank. This is not the BVI where a hamburger can cost you $12! Filet mignon at "The Argentinean Grill" is $14 including side items. For two people to eat like kings for dinner will set you back $30 - $40 including a few drinks. If you are on a tighter budget you can get by on $18 - $25 for two people for dinner at several places in West End, still eating good food.

Have a great trip - and if you are there on the 10th of May, see my other post in the Bay Islands forum for a free beer and socializing.

 

[mynamehere]

undefined -

thanks for the input. Sounds alot like Treasure Cay, Bahamas.

I think i have read your posts. I have found alot of good info here, which is why i joined yesterday. Still trying to figure out the site and how to effectively navigate it.

Unfortunatley, we arent flying in until the 20th of May.

 

[Bay Island Diver]

Yeh Newark to Roatan Direct is a good Option. Other choices are Atlanta (Delta), Houston (TACA and Continental) or Miami (TACA).

Three busy or four slightly more relaxed days to do your open water is a good estimate assuming the weather is good! So a six day visit will be mostly taken up with your course. Why not do a refferal? That means doing your pool and classroom work evenings and weekends in NYC with your local dive shop and just doing the four open water dives here in Roatan. The ost of the four OPen water dives would be $160 and would only take two afternoons. Just an option.

HTH

Will

 

[bushrider]

So I cant get 2 weeks of vacation.
So the plan is to go for a week flying direct from Newark.
We will do all the pool and theory before we go.

We dont really have a budget.
We definitely are leaning towards an all inclusive dive/accomodation package.
Time is limmited we wont be self catering.
Looking for accomodation right on the beach, AC and ideally cable TV.

 

[Warmwater Wank]

Bushrider--You've been given good advice on doing your confined water work before you go to Roatan and yes, referrals are standard, no big deal. PADI dive training isn't difficult but you'll be going thru some real changes just being underwater for the first time. It would be nice to have some time to process the experience and information, ask questions etc. and become a bit more familiar with things before you go. Not to mention you will have a better idea of what to expect on your trip instead of stressing about the dive part.

Pick a local dive shop (LDS) you feel good about--your instructor can make a huge difference on how you take to scuba. Plus that way when you get back, TOTALLY in love with diving, you will have someone to commiserate with, someone who understands your angst about not being underwater enough. Someone you can hand over every spare dollar to in order to dive.

What I didn't understand is that you said it was a "tough call" to do more than one week because you only get 2 weeks leave a year. Not a tough call--take 2 weeks! The tough call will be at the end of those 2 weeks--will you return or seek Roatan dive slave status?? Check out the many threads here about accomodations, dive ops etc. Welcome to ScubaBoard and diving.