Looking for Roatan West End Dive operator diving 100's or 120's

[Fader]

Hi..New to the boards and seeking info. (yes - I tried the search function but didn't find the answer to my question) Anyway - I'll be in Roatan for a few days next month and wanted to do a bit of diving. I'm trying to find a dive operation there that dives the bigger tanks. I am NOT an air hog - I'm an experienced diver looking to maximize my bottom time, so I'm trying to find an operator who dives the 100's or 120's with the whole group. I'll be staying on the west end. Nitrox is preferred. Any of you folks have some suggestions? I've been in touch with some really nice people, but the norm seems to be aluminum 80's with the goal of one hour dives....

 

[victorzamora]

I think you'd be better off posting in the "Bay Islands" area.....not the Scubaboard Invasion Cozumel area.

But to answer your question: I'm not familiar with anybody diving bigger tanks on the island. I will say, though, that the pace of the diving there doesn't really lend itself to an experienced diver with a low SAC rate extending dives aggressively with big tanks. The vast majority of the diving on the island is off of a boat, following a guide with an hour of bottom time. Everything is mostly single-tank diving, 5ish minute boat ride from the dock, 3 dives per day plus night dives if the group gets big enough. Typically each shop has its own schedule that they stick to, like: 8AM, 10AM, and 2PM with a follow-on night dive beginning at dusk. Out-diving an hour typically isn't an option.

As far as which operator to go with: To me, it's clear cut. West End Divers will get the remainder of my business on the island until they screw up aggressively. They've been above and beyond awesome every time I've gone out with them.

 

[Roman_66]

Just come back from Roatan few days ago. And I AM an air hog diver.
I was looking for dive operator, which can promised big tank at least for me. And I didn't find one.
I will be surprise if you will find one who provides big tanks fro all group in Roatan.
For me I found simple and elegant solution : they took one additional tank for three daily dives for me.
And I connected it as stage (I bring with me all necessary equipment) and I used 1/3 on each dive.
What you can do (if you ok with additional payment) : additional AL80 as stage, like I did + private dive master.
I did it in Cozumel (I was on doubles, dive master on side mount) and it was really good 90 minutes dives.
Most dive operators have Nitrox, I think for additional 10-12$ per tank.

 

[knotical]

Moved thread to Bay Islands forum.

 

[diversteve]

Coconut Tree Divers found us some AL 100's. They only had 4 IIRC. Since many Roatan operators return to the dock to exchange divers after every dive, they have to keep to a pretty tight schedule. Most don't have a lot of boats for schedule flexibility either.

Do you mean "the group" on your boat that day or are you part of one? If the latter, check some of the Panga operators - if you're their entire business, they may be more flexible on time. I've never heard of a dive operator that provides 100/120's as standard practice in the West End/West Bay.

The group mix is also a factor. My group did almost all our dives with CTD during the week. Several days we were their only business. So they were pretty casual knowing no one was waiting. Twice on the 1PM dive cruise ship divers joined us - those dives it was asked be out of the water at a certain time so they could get back for their sailing later that afternoon.

 

[dlofting]

West End Divers gave me AL 100's for all my dives....don't know what the rest of the group were using. Everyone comes up together, unless there is one person who blows through their tank really quickly.....so if you have an AL 100 and are stingy on air, you'll still have to end your dive with the rest of the people who are using AL 80's.

 

[Fader]

Thanks for all the replies...I was hoping to find someone going out with all larger tanks. I have been spoiled by my favorite operators in Cozumel recently. 80-90 minute dives with a group of good divers all on 120's. I'm only in Roatan for a few days this trip so I was looking to get as much bottom time as possible in just a half dozen dives...

 

[JohnN]

Thanks for all the replies...I was hoping to find someone going out with all larger tanks. I have been spoiled by my favorite operators in Cozumel recently. 80-90 minute dives with a group of good divers all on 120's. I'm only in Roatan for a few days this trip so I was looking to get as much bottom time as possible in just a half dozen dives...

In my experience, Coconut Tree Divers usually has multiple DMs on the dive (they generate a lot of instructors/DMs through their training program). With at least a couple trailing the group, to escort divers up who go through their air more quickly.

Yes they have AL100's, I think your wishes can be accomodated

 

[beluga2]

You could try asking about hiring a private dive master with the stated intention of doing 80-90 minute dives. They can put you on a 100 and the dive master can use whatever she/he needs.

 

[DogDiver]

You could always use a sidemount rig and use a pair of AL80's. But your going to have the same issue as using a larger volume cylinder. You are going to have to surface after about an hour of bottom time so that the boat can get the rest of the divers using a single AL 80 to get to the second dive site.


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