need advice re: Red Sea and Roatan

[mihrl]

We're considering a trip to Roatan in February or April for 3 - 4 weeks. Did some diving in Roatan off a cruise ship last year in February--wasn't overly impressed, but it might have been just the location (Cochino Cays, if I remember correctly). We would like to stay in a smaller resort with a dive shop on premises. Since we will be there a while, we would prefer a 1 or 2 bedroom unit. We prefer shore diving to boat diving, although it looks like there aren't a lot of good shore dives in Roatan. Any suggestions?

Also, we're considering a trip to Egypt later this year. Have done a little reading, and am looking at mid- or late-September and start with a liveaboard in the Red Sea, then do the "land thing" visiting the pyramids, with maybe a cruise down the Nile. I'm thinking that the water will still be warm in September, not too windy, fairly good visibility, and yet the weather topside will be pretty good. Any suggestions as to when to go, what liveaboard is best, etc.? By the way, I tend to get seasick if the water is very rough, so a larger liveaboard would be preferable.

 

[DandyDon]

Welcome to Scuba Board. Put us in your favorites and check in often....

You might do better to post your questions in two places: Roatan in Central America forum, and Red Sea in Africa forum. Except, it work better yet if you'd read over posts in those two forums, then narrow your questions. But I'll give you some info here.

Don't know why you had bad experiences at Roatan, as many of us love it there. Super wall diving, with a variety of different sites. Your three main choices are the famous

(1) Anthony's Key - close to West End, a large, family friendly resort that has greatly outgrown the original key. A little to busy for my taste. May have to special request air conditioning, which you do want. But many people love it there.

(2) Fantasy Island - secluded enough for me, air, tv, phones in all rooms. All around my favorite. In addition to the motel rooms, they also have bungalows, like you're looking for. Here's my report...

http://www.scubaboard.com/t34578.html

(3) Coco Veiw - across the channel from Fantasy Island, but a little too secluded and quiet for my taste. Don't think (?) they have air, tv or phones? But many people love it there.

And there are others, smaller resorts. But are you certain you want to spend 3 weeks on one island? I'd do additional trips to Utila, at least.

good luck, don

 

[Barry Goode]

I went to Roatan last spring. I found it as good as Belize for diving & really inexpensive. I stayed at Pura Vida in West End. They have decent rooms, (clean, functional) but I didn't see any that had 2 rooms in them. The restaurant is good & the dive shop was good as well. I don't think there are any good beach dives on Roatan.
The dolphin dive at Anthony's Key was great (a more upscale resort also).
Good dive sites were: Herbie's Place, West End Wall, Hole in the Wall, Canyon Reef, and the Aguila (wreck). There's also a new wreck, The Odyssey (a huge tanker) that was incredible.
There are many upscale hotels in West End and West Bay. Both areas are close to many dive sites. West End is more happening at night & there's more there within walking distance. West Bay is more posh but for people who just want to stay at their resort; it's more spread out & not much to do there (a way better beach though).
You can find out all you want @ www.roatanet.com

 

[2DiveCrew]

We've been to Egypt several times for diving and land tourism. I think September and October are the best months for diving - water is its warmest and the weather is great. We've always dived from Sharm and we keep going back (we're going in April again).

It's not necessary to do a liveaboard from Sharm as the divesites are all close to shore. However, from a liveaboard you will get to do more diving of course. I've heard great things about the Brother's Islands further south in the Red Sea - I think that's more liveaboard country.