Still trying to decide where to dive in June. Anyone know the conditions of the reef in Roatan? Where is the cruise ship docking? I was reading that is damaging the reef in that area and not to stay on that side of the island. I can't find the location of the dock on any maps.
Any recommendations on resorts? Looking for good food and a/c and good diving all at one place if possible
Dead on advice above. I'll add to the comment about the "next" new cruise ship dock in Dixon Cove... when it goes in, it will help nothing. So- go now.
You are getting a very narrow and limited perspective in the advice you quote about the cruise ship docks. Roatan is right now where Cayman was in 1979. It is on an accelerated program of destruction through development pressure. (read: siltation and run-off)
If you want to skip it and find something "better" in the Caribbean at this instant, knock your socks off, but I would say:
Do the Bay Islands NOW before things get any worse. I used to smile and say, "
I remember Cayman in 1972.....". So- here's your chance to be able to bore people in a few years!
The treat that Roatan brings to the table is for the advanced diver. With excellent buoyancy and observational skills, the right diver who follows his DM like a puppy will come out way ahead. If you want to find every critter in the Paul Humann reef ID book, try diving the South side of Roatan from Little French Key all the way to Oak Ridge. Stay shallow from surface to 45fsw, take a flashlight and magnifying glass. this is not rewarding for the average Caribbean diver.
Mary's Place was never all that hot of a deal, anyway. It's spectacular architecture of 15 foot wide fissures that cut
deep into a reef vertically... sure, very spectacular... if you've never seen such a thing. Due to the inherent heavy shadows- there has never been a whole lot of growth. The real treasure of Mary's Place is that which can be dived from the same mooring. There are rare Caribbean critters that adorn the face- you'll need a DM that knows! Nearby there is a very cool little tunnel system (Scutt's Slot) that is so claustrophobic, well.... Calvin's Crack? Most folks like that dive better... it's 1 hour E of Mary's Place down by Oak Ridge.
The North side has the benefit of the Marine Reserve. You will easily find many of the similar critters that people no longer can find in the Caribbean.... larger Groupers, Barracudas, Parrotfish and the like. Because of this concentration of apex predators, there are fewer smaller species to find. Combine this with the u/w terrain of the north side- shaped by years of heavy storm action- the reefs look great, but in comparison to the South side, they look relatively barren.
Divers will be enjoying the North side for many years to come. The South side is a treasure that is slipping away.
Go now.
but the top reef... I believe it's the nicest I saw while I was there! If I went back, I think I'd talk my buddy into skipping the dive through and staying on the top reef...
