5615mike:
Take lots of deet and watch out for the no-see-ums. Friends tell me they are a pain in the *+#! What about it RoatanMan
I really have never been bitten in the *+#! It's only a matter of time.
Alas, if but not for the Sand Flies it would be Cayman. (not such a good thing, to some, anyway) All such locales along the Caribbean/Bahamian/Keys/Coz/South America area have Sand Flies. They are also known as No-See-Ums, Garipatas, and Sand Fleas.
Whatever you call them, the Bay Islands have the best ones, by far.
I drink Flor-de-Cana rum: 3 ounces mixed with 1/2 ounce of 100% Deet. :evilbunny: Stirred, not sloshed. This, I am aware, is an acquired taste. It takes about three doses before they'll steer away to a new tourist.
DEET and Benadryl (or the cheaper MalWart Equate Brand alternative) has saved many a trip. Use the DEET when getting off of the boat and also when leaving your room. It makes an excellent sun tanning oil (no SPF value whatsoever) and some folks find rubbing up against the well drenched bodies of their signifigant other to be quite--- well, you get the picture.
The bugs like wet or moist decaying wood and vegetable matter. This could be anywhere ocean waves slosh or rinse tanks slop. Shoreline walking,Gear Rooms and Sun Decks are notorious feeding grounds. Everybody spends way too much time feeding the little buggers at those locations. DEET up or move on!
If they get you anyway, Benadryl will not only make you snoozy (I have yet to see anyone fall asleep while diving) , but it will get rid of the itch---- which kicks in pretty predictably at 0400 hrs while your honey-bunny is sleeping quietly beside you. How come they don't "bug" her? Maybe it's all of that garlic and Salva Vida Beer? Whew!
The Benadryl lotion is also a nice soothing application, or you can get Cactus Juice Soothing Gel. (I'm not so sure about their repellant version).
I have seen a gal that wears Flea Collars on her ankles, but it reminds me of Bill Murray's line in Caddy Shack about 'barking like a dog', but I digress.
The latest Darwin research on the Sand Fly evolutionary process has shown that Avon Skin-So-Soft is the rough equivelant to steroids for these bugs. This folklore must die.
Come to visit- the bugs need new blood. Besides- you'll be underwater most of the time, anyway.
[do an internet as well as general search here for mountains of advice, folklore and free advice on this matter as well]