Roatan a good idea for October?

[robint]

thanks for all your input!
@robint: thanks for the links. beautiful pictures! I've also read a lot about Bonaire. Looks amazing, but as far as I understood, it's mainly unguided shore diving? So far we've only dived with a guide and since we are relatively newbies to diving (AOWD, 50 dives), I'm not sure we are ready for this yet.

hmm, of course no one here is the "weather god/goddess" ;-) and I'm still a little undecided whether to save a visit to Roatan for a better season. But probably next spring we will aready be back to Japan and then probably chose another destination in Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Sipadan or Philippines)..

btw, I will go with a diving friend. we usually do 2 dives a day, with some non-diving days in between.

If you only want to do 2 dives per day, with a guide, then I would definitely go to Cozumel. Our preferred place is Scuba Club Cozumel.. a small, all-inclusive dive resort. Diving and food included there, great DMs that lead all dives (mandatory in Cozumel, since it is drift diving), and it is also close enough to town to walk if you want. Then you can do other activities the rest of day if you want.
Cozumel Scuba Diving at Scuba Club Cozumel Dive Resort and Scuba Cozumel Dive Shop

But if that type of place isn't your cup of tea, there are lots of good options for Cozumel. Go here: www.divetrip.com
Great scuba trip operation, we have used them several times to book trips.

I would not go to Bonaire unless you want to do 3-4 dives per day. The cost doesn't justify going for only 2 dives per day. You can boat dive there, but the whole reason to go there is the fact the reefs start right at shore, so you can shore dive the entire west side of island safely. There is very little current, and dives are fairly easy as a rule, so no worries about being beginners. After 1-2 dives, you will feel like a dive machine! But as I said, I would not go there unless you want to do more than 2 dives per day.

If November is the ONLY time you can go dive, and you want to go somewhere, then I would do Cozumel. Just my 2 cents. Save Roatan for spring-summer in 2013.

robin

 

[jlevine]

I didn't see a reference as far as your departure point. If you are on the east coast of the US, I'd certainly suggest Curacao. You can find reasonable accommodations there. You're out of the hurricane belt. Yes, it's down south by Bonaire but Curacao has lots of direct flights from the US. Plus, you have lots of historical sites, hiking, food, shopping, etc. You can read about it on the ABC Islands sub-subforum off of the Caribbean/Lesser Antilles subforum.

 

[RTBDiver]

Wow! That's a broad paintbrush! Yes, there's certainly a greater chance of rain in October but it doesn't mean that October 1 is the beginning of absolute gloom and doom. Now, if the OP said November, I'd be more negative..

October has on average 4 less rainy days and 4-5 inches less of rain, if that enough to suggest it is a good time to visit? I answer the posts as if these people are on a once a yearvacation, not like so many who visit numerous times a year.

And, for the sake of the other part of your post, I have no business on Roatan (and that includes income property). I do own a piece of land though I see no need to mention that on every single post I write.

And I also donot have an income property, If that was what I was after I would have invested in West End or West Bay, Sure, I mention my place, Its called a signature line for those too ignorant to realize it goes on every post I make. Hard to believesomeone is calling me out for mentioning my place while at the same time being honest about the weather and thinking its NOT a great time to visit
Tell us, you suggest it should be fine time for the OP to visit the Island, How often do you visit? I bet if it is only one time a year it is generally noy in the rainy season. BTW, What year was it you mention October and november were good? Last year was OK but ecept for those I have been here that time foe the last 5 years and all were wet with reduced visability for many days on the south

 

[jlevine]

I usually come down two or three times a year though this year I have not, and yes, you are correct, I do not typically come in rainy season (which I usually consider to be November-February). I do, however, enjoy coming in hurricane season because the prices are cheap (both flights and hotels), but that's another matter. My main concern with what I read is that you referred to two groups of people, one of which presents facts and the other which has a vested interest in tourism. I don't see myself in the latter group and it sounded like from your post that I was part of the former. Maybe I misread it. I expressed my views based on my experience and didn't see myself as giving misinformation with the purpose of leading someone to make a bad financial decision.

 

[RTBDiver]

I usually come down two or three times a year though this year I have not, and yes, you are correct, I do not typically come in rainy season (which I usually consider to be November-February). .

Heck you can call april may and june the rainy season if you like, It still does not change the fact you consider February rainy season and not October even though Historically October has about 4 times as much rain as Feb?? If you are giving people with no info on Roatan the Idea that October is less the rainy season than February you most certainly are giving bad information. Historically, October is the seceond wettest month, second only to November with December a close third, Explain how you do not consider October the rainy season please

---------- Post Merged at 08:22 PM ---------- Previous Post was at 07:42 PM ----------

I I do, however, enjoy coming in hurricane season because the prices are cheap (both flights and hotels), but that's another matter. .

True, It's another matter but lets make sure those not too familiar with the Bay Islands are not led astray , as you did try to tell us October was not rainy season yet February was, There has not been a Hurricane to hit the Bay Islands since 1998 when Mitch visited, sure we have has some side effects but no hurricanes Although the Florida Gators veterinary people visit pretty regular

 

[jlevine]

I am glad that I brought you so much amusement! I will concede that October is rainier than February. You're right. I'm wrong. I have had great vacations in October and had some good sun as well. But, that's my own experience. YMMV. I came in November and vowed not to do that again.

Still, I reiterate I have no vested interest in tourism on the island.

 

[diverdorr68]

Well, if you do go to Roatan please share your pics and experience back on this thread. I was hoping to visit the Bay Islands and Costa Rica(pacific side) before years end and would love a heads up.

 

[farsidefan1]

I almost always go to Roatan in May or early June. The weather is usually fantastic. I did go once in December. My second visit and my last during the rainy season. Listen to RTB. The guys is a straight shooter and sometimes his directness puts some people off but he will never misdirect you. During my December visit I was amazed at how poor the vis was at some sites due to significant runoff. Other sites were fine but overall, well I have only visited in May or June since then. Bonaire has great diving. My first time I hired a guide to show us around for a few days (Bas). After that we did our own thing. For me with my bad knees the shore entries over broken coral were very "challenging", although my wife who is extremely fit with no knee issues felt the same way as did my gym rat daughter. We spent the last few days diving off various piers and paying boat captains extra to go to sites other than around Klien Bonaire (the little island just off shore a ways. where the boats always go since it is so close). The diving there is as good as anywhere in the caribbean. October weather is great so the only downside is the lack of a guide (unless you can hire one) and learning to negotiate the shore entries (which are not as easy as many Bonaire fans would lead you to believe - but in their defense I would say that with practice it gets much easier).

Coz has great vis pretty much year around and as long as no hurricanes intrude (very unlikely one would visit during your stay) weather should be great and the water quite warm (over 80 degrees which is my baseline for good diving . Prices are excellent and I'm not sure you can find a place with more diveshops with fanatically loyal fans. Seriously there must be a dozen that members of scubaboard would be willing to fight with anyone that dissed their favorite operation. Competition there has resulted in many outstanding operations. There are currents that run alongside the island so virtually all diving is drift diving (easiest diving you can do since the boat follows you along so you just relax, enjoy the view and when you finish the boat is there waiting for you. There are a few instances where people have had scary incidents involving the current but those are nearly always at north sites which are for more advanced divers. The dive ops watch your first dive or 2 then segregate the more experienced divers to another boat. If you let them know you want to avoid more difficult sites they can easily accomodate you. With all that said I would probably suggest Coz. Lots to do in addition to diving, great food etc.
I have not been to Curacao to dive but I understand it is very similar to Bonaire. Of these options the only one I would avoid in October would be Roatan (which I dearly love and visit every year).

 

[Canyondreamer]

My diving family and me are currently on Roatan (North Shore). No rain 4 days into it, awesome diving. Seems they have really gotten at the Lion fish problem - ( usually 3-4 speared each dive - the local eat them saying the taste good) rich fish life. Diving for a week with a great outfit (Subway Diving) - so far the best dive vacation we have had to date) been to Hawaii, Australia, Fiji, Society Islands, Mediteranian etc.) - for us October works out great water temp 87 , air 93, vis 50-70. Staying in a luxury rental house 1.5 miles from Subway with cook and caretaker for $300/d

 

[laurenceh]

yep so far october on utila has been awful, whale sharks, pilot whales and more dolphins than i've ever seen. its been sunny and very hot. however i have a feeling rainy season will be here soon....but if its anything like last years it should be lovely.