QUICK! Need help! CCV or FI?

[craracer]

I'm planning a trip to either Coco View or Fantasy Island for 16 Sept through the 23rd.

I'm trying to book the trip by tomorrow morning (I'm super short on time due to studying for boards).


I've read reviews here and on Tripadvisor. I can't decide between CCV or FI.

Which would you pick and why?

 

[Doc]

FIBR (below left)......................................... CCV (right)

If you are a diver in search of a dive vacation, go to CoCoView. (5x a day are easy, more if you push it)

If you want a vacation with diving, go to FIBR (3x a day, if you hustle)

CCV has better boats, ladders, wet gear room, rinse tanks, dive shop, photo center. http://www.cocoviewresort.com/op_staff.html It has better access to the shore dive. It is 99.8% US guests, and there are virtually no outside visitors , other than selected vendors, to the resort. On SCUBABoard you will find more regulars here that are repeat visitors to CCV- by far than any other resort, including CCV. The rooms http://www.cocoviewresort.com/accomodations.html#bungalows are all AC, and most are within WiFi range. CCV'S rates are posted on the website.

FIBR has a nice beach, pool, tennis courts, sailboats and a bit of night life and live music with a fair number of locals arriving to mingle. It's dive schedule is European in design. http://www.fantasyislandresort.com/us/index.html 3 boats per day, one tank each, sign up for them as you wish. Occasionally it is high as 90% non US guests. Quite a few Canadians (great deals!), South Americans, Spanish and Italian. FIBR's rooms are fancier tiled and stucco, http://www.fantasyislandresort.com/us/index.html and also include telephones. Their WiFi is comparatively limited in radius. You must call for FIBR's rates as they are dependent upon your country of residence, although they are always cheaper than CCV.

FIBR

CCV

 

[craracer]

So: More diving= CCV
Better rooms, more to do=FI

Just FYI: CCV $899 pp
FI $650 pp

Just so I'm clear: CCV has 5 boat dives/day, whereas FI has 3?

 

[joystershell]

So: More diving= CCV
Better rooms, more to do=FI

Just FYI: CCV $899 pp
FI $650 pp

Just so I'm clear: CCV has 5 boat dives/day, whereas FI has 3?

CCV runs two boat trips a day, each trip consists of a pre-selected dive site, usually tied off to a mooring buoy, and the second dive is called a drop off dive, where the boat drops you off on the way back to the dock and you swim back to the resrt on your own (quite simple, really). Repeat again in the afternoon. This resort offers unlimited shore diving, 24 hours a day. Also offers a one tank night boat dive, once or twice a week.

 

[craracer]

Thanks for the clarification.

So CCV would be your choice?

And RoatanMan, I take that as a "depends on what you are looking for"?

 

[Doc]

Just so I'm clear: CCV has 5 boat dives/day, whereas FI has 3?

FIBR offers three boat dives spread out through the day. 09:00, 11:00, 14:30. One tank.

CCV does two boats, 09:00 and 14:00. Two tanks each.

The Night Dives from CCV are shore dives, usually 10 to 18 people go out each night between 2000 hrs and dawn. They run a once weekly boat night dive (save your money) This is the night dive
(in the daylight):

...and dark:

The Night Dives from FIBR are initiated from the Dive Gazebo, and they are not well attended. Once or twice per week, you may see two or four divers do it. It's a bit more of an equipment hassle and it's about twice the distance through cloudy water. They occasionally utilize a boat to take divers out:

The good thing is that you can do the South Side Roatan diving from either! Access the unusual specific niche creatures that inhabit these shallow, sunlit walls. take a look: http://www.scubaboard.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=3139 The physical orientation of the South side walls places them at 90º angles to the track of full Sunlight. Either resort will get you there, CCV has every facet designed for that purpose, FIBR is going to require a bit more work on your part~ and to tear you away

from the beach and pool!

So CCV would be your choice? And RoatanMan, I take that as a "depends on what you are looking for"?

Aint that what life's about !

 

[craracer]

So, about how far is it to slug your gear to the gazebo? Could we just "hook-up" with the divers from CCV via a short swim?

 

[robint]

here's my take on the difference...
FI..... large, 109 rooms, families, kids
CCV....small, 30 rooms, no kids under 10 yrs old and only 10-11 year olds if they are divers

we haven't been to either yet, but know people who have to FI, CCV, and Anthony's Key. CCV wins hands down to those without kids.

 

[Doc]

So, about how far is it to slug your gear to the gazebo?

The FIBR dive staff will transport all your stuff at a pre-arranged time (before they close for the night). You will have to carry your personal gear and weights back to the shed. Most night dives are done at about 7pm, what few that occur. This distance, per GoogleEarth is a walk of 1,000 feet. From the Gazebo to the wreck is about 600 feet in water. Not a whole lot to see along the way, but excellent for Octopus- which you're going to see at night on the wreck, anyway. If they get a big sign-up, they'll motor you over on one of the real dive boats (instead of the pram pictured earlier), and anchor over the wreck.

CCV considers this a shore dive. The 450' swim itself is not all that much closer from CCV, but the "pathway" to and from the Wreck is a lot more entertaining.

At CCV, most night dives occur at 8 to 9 pm. They have the gear room attended until 11pm. If you want tanks or gear after that, you just place it outside and leave it on the benches. Security is not an issue. The distance from lockers to the water is 100 feet.

Could we just "hook-up" with the divers from CCV via a short swim?

If you dive the Prince Albert Wreck, you are pretty well guaranteed to see CCV divers at 11 am, 4 pm and from 8-10 at night. A lot of folks find out here on SB that their new internet friends are going to be across the channel at the other resort, unfortunately- few meet up.

Here's a video of diving the prince Albert Wreck: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwFZMca4_mw

 

[craracer]

To be honest, hauling my gear is really not a big deal to me (unless I'm also carrying a tank). I've had to do it quite a bit while diving in Mexico.

RoatanMan: great photos and video!

Additional questions: I can rent either a Zeagle Ranger or a Dive Rite BPWW (aluminum or steel) for $50/week from the LDS. Which would you do:
A. Rent at the resort.
B. Zeagle
C. BPWW.

I've dove with the Zeagle and loved it, however I haven't used a BPWW.

I just booked the flight. Now for the resort!