New divers, looking for interesting beginning dives

[amw5g]

Just got OW certified, and will be taking a cruise on HAL end of November to western Caribbean. Between now and then we do plan on getting in more dives, but I know we'll still be novices. Ports of call are:
Key West (5 hrs in port)
Belize (9 hrs in port)
Mahogany Bay, Honduras (10 hrs in port)
Costa Maya (8 hrs in port)

Probably can't dive all, but would like recommendations for priority and recommended spots/operators. Naturally we want to avoid the cattle boats.
Many thanks in advance.

Amw 5G

 

[jimw]

I've been to Roatan and mainland Honduras many times and had not heard of Mahogany Bay--looked it up and it is next to the cruise dock on Roatan and owned by Carnival. There are lots of dive ops in the nearby area, The West End and Tabyana Beach, etc. A few years ago we contacted a place we had stayed several times and arranged dives there. CocoView Resort, just call or email their US office in Fla. They picked us up at the cruise dock, and we did some shore dives at the resort.

Belize--it's a long boat ride to the dock from the anchored ship, so use the ship trip is my suggestion--this is the only place I do it this way. We did a snorkeling trip done from the ship once for a bunch less money than the dive trip--nice and included rum punch on the way back.

Costa Maya--diving is not bad, been there twice, dove once. None of the dive ops seemed real impressive. But there was a large hurricane a couple of years ago and everything will be different now.

KW--Not too much diving there, not horrible, just not that good and you don't have the time to go a little north for better diving--just enjoy Old Town and dive later.

There is a wealth of info on Cruise Reviews, Cruise Deals and Cruises - Cruise Critic look for your cruiseline on the Boards section and scroll down for Scuba and Snorkeling among activiities.....................

 

[amw5g]

Thanks jimw, that's quite helpful. I hadn't considered about the tendering in Belize, so appreciate the tip. We've done some looking on Cruise Critic, and won't stop, but wanted to see what non-cruising divers might have thought about these ports.
Many thanks

 

[diversteve]

Mahogany Bay is the (newish) Carnival cruise port/day resort on the south side of the island. The cruise operator is likely Anthony's Key on the north side of the island. They'll shuttle you - 1/2 hr. each way - to their location and do two dives nearby.

Try Barefoot Divers instead - they're 5 minutes from the port and have a cruise program. You'll probably have time for some other activity before you sail. You'll have to take a cab there most likely. Cruise Ship Shore Excursions, Roatan 5 Star PADI Dive Shop

I've dove with both, AKR is more of the cattle boat experience. (10 boats vs 2) Unless you want to dive with the Dolphins, then go to AKR. But I think due to scheduling you'll miss the AM Dolphin trip so probably have to get yourselves there and back for the 1:30 dive - the AKR shuttle likely returns too soon - IDK as we stayed on Roatan when we dove it.

Subway Watersports has a cruise program also - including pickup. Don't know much about it. They're located on the north side also. Near the bottom of this page:
Roatan Scuba Diving - Dive Sites- Wall Diving - Wreck Diving - Bay Islands

 

[amw5g]

Cheers, Diversteve!

Any thoughts on Coconut Tree? The wife came across them and there seem to be positive reviews on the SB. From their site, they might not be quite so accommodating for cruise schedules (looks like only 1 solid dive), but I'd take 1 great dive experience dive over 2 lesser.

 

[diversteve]

We dove a week with them. I recommend them here often. They're good people in addition to running a good operation. We never had more than 12 on "Wish You Were Here" - 7 of us and 4 ladies from TX. Once or twice we had a cruise diver join us in the afternoon. One did both dives - IDK what cruise he was on.

Since you're 10 hrs. in port (8-6?) you could likely do both afternoon dives. They do return to the West End between dives also. We were always done diving by 4-4:30PM, sometimes sooner. There's a couple of good sites just off Half Moon Bay and WYWH is a pretty fast boat if they decide to go farther. Their dock is across the street from the shop.

They'd be tailored for you as they don't exceed 60' in the afternoon. And still do some excellent sites. A couple of our better dives were in the afternoon.

You might consider going to the West End early, dropping any gear there - I'm sure they'd watch it, we left our stuff with them all week - and checking out the West End. There's quite a few shops and restaurants in all price ranges.

The taxi stand for the West End is right across the street from Coconut Tree. During the day cabs were always waiting. They're usually small white cars with a number on the door. I've never been to Mahogany Bay but have driven past it from CTD to Barefoot Cay - IIRC it's about a 1/2 hr. ride from there to the West End - maybe a little less.

 

[amw5g]

For what it's worth, as an epilogue, we ended up diving with:
SeaSports Belize (Belize)
Subway Watersports (Roatan)
Nomad Divers (Costa Maya)

While all three were good, well run, we felt safe etc., it was Selma and Costa Maya that was our favorite. We were her only two divers- good for us, bad for her- and her diving style perfectly matched our own. Slow, drifting, deliberate, curious. We saw our first turtles (green & hawksbill) amongst many other sea critters. We felt very comfortable, even in the choppy seas, and would whole-heartedly employ her services again. Oh, and hit up Nahotch Kay for lunch.