Private Charter from Roatan???

[Rick Murry]

Just wondering....We have flown into Roatan 2 times from the US and stayed on roatan. I understand that there are flights to Utila on sat only. Does it make sense for convenience purposes to charter a private plane for 5 divers. Just incase flights gets delayed etc....Its cheaper for us to fly to Roatan than to san Pedro Sula....any thoughts.
Thanks
Rick Murry
ps We are staying at Deep Blue

 

[booth22]

Depending on what you're paying per person to fly to Utila (probably on Sosa), you may end up cheaper chartering- Roatan Air is one of the operators to try. We had a bit of luck with them, you can also fly the seaplane over (2 at a time) Roatan Seaplane Adventures

good luck!

 

[Doc]

Rick- welcome to SCUBABoard.

Where do you want fights from and to? Your post doesn't say.

BTW- if it was from Roatan to Utila, the seaplane option is fine only if you have no luggage. If it's from Hoston to Roatan, better look at a Cessna 400 series aircraft charter. Lots of them used for island vacations.

Also, in terms of "does it make sense", that largely depends on how deep your pockets are and how much you value your vacation time. This logic is why Elvis flew to Colorado for a peant butter and bacon sammich- to him, it was worth it.

Now... If I had your money

 

[Rick Murry]

we are flying in to Roatan on either Continental or Delta......There is a flight out of Chicago which is near our home base. It leaves at 2 in the morning to arrive in Roatan at about 9 in the morning...with stops in Guatamala and El Salvador....the price is right so we thought that by taking a charter to Utila from Roatan it would not be much more than trying to get on a commercial flight on Sat to Utila. However is only two seaters and no gear the extent of the availability in Roatan?

 

[Rick Murry]

Sorry p.s. that flight from chicago is on TACA any thoughts on TACA

 

[Bay Island Diver]

Charter a yacht, it is only 4 hours and avoids the flying after diving issues. Captain Vernon Fine is a particularly experienced and accomadating charter Captain with a nice sailing cat. vfine@hotmail.com

 

[SoSiouxme]

We used Vernon Fine for an overnight sailing trip and found both the boat and the captain to be perfect for our purposes.

I think that is a great idea.

--Sioux

 

[James Bond boat entry]

If this is Captain Vern of the vessel Nena 2, his phone number is +504 33462600, he sails between Roatan and Utila for $50.00 per person & docks right in the West End.

 

[Rick Murry]

fThanks that sounds like a great option I will check into it.......Any word though on TACA.....Reliable?...Ontime???

 

[SoSiouxme]

I've taken TACA (Take a Chance Airlines) twice between LA and Roatan. We flew from LAX to San Salvador and then from San Salvador to Roatan. In all honesty, my flights were great. The TACA staff was wonderful and accommodating and my flights were on time and they didn't lose my luggage.

In LAX at check-in, it was a complete clusterfluck both times, but after that, it was fine. TACA has a very generous attitude towards luggage so have no worries about heavy diving equipment or luggage. In fact, if you are inclined to bring a heavy bag or box filled with school supplies, formula, clothes, medicines, etc....TACA is the best airline for that.

Finally, the food on TACA is atrocious and you should definitely plan on bring your own sandwich/snacks for the ride. Also, the in-flight entertainment is lacking. Bring your own DVD/video ipod and you should be fine.

Hope this helps. Enjoy Roatan.