Roatan-CCV Trip Report 5/2008

[szohn]

This will be short, as pretty much everything that can be said has been said about CCV, but another diver's opinion can't hurt

The Resort. Clean, comfortable, diver's resort. Not much in the way of frills, but well set up for easy diving.

The food. Tasty and plentiful, nothing fancy but my gf kept complaining she'd gain weight on vacation, so it must have been pretty decent. But saw none of the famous Tres Leches cake. :11:

Boat Diving. The diving itself was better than average, good viz, little current, great macro life, coral in nice shape. CCV boat diving was average, max bottom time 1 hour, decent boats, sites seemed mostly similar.

Shore Diving. The main reason to go to CCV! Easy navigation, great macro life, incredilby easy diving anytime day or night. The night dives were awesome.


Shark Dive: Had a great time.

Only complaint, the "orientation" meeting/dive. Shouldn't be required, the navigation is so easy, it doesn't need to be guided. If it is really supposed to be a checkout dive (as suggested by need to demonstrate buddy breathing), skills should actually be checked. As it was, it was a 25 minute race, that prevented a couple shore dives and one boat dive.

The morning orientation meeting would be better done after dinner arrival night, as some of the info is needed in the morning. (For other first timers, when they give you you're locker tag, don't hang it on the provided hook, you're gear may end up on the boat and you could be out the morning dive)

Pictures: Cuz this thread would be worthless without them . roatan 2008 - a set on Flickr

Overall, a great place to spend a week diving.

 

[deco_martini]

The checkout dive is more of a bouyancy and panic checkout. They see if you follow instruction, follow the DM, get bouyant, and don't freak out. Most dive resorts I've been to check you out on the first dive the morning after you arrive. Which means a shallow dive. Coco View checked me out right after I landed on the first day which meant no wimpy 45 starter dive on the second day.

The orientation and checkout dive are great. In fact, I wish people actually listened during the orientation since nearly every night diver the week I was there put the strobe on the buoy incorrectly.

 

[herman]

Also, the checkout dive is only required on the first trip, on all other trips you only have to do the morning oreintation meeting. If you have been to CCV before you can dive as soon as you can get your gear unpacked.
I am setting at the public computers at CCV waiting on breakfast as I type.

 

[szohn]

Coco View checked me out right after I landed on the first day which meant no wimpy 45 starter dive on the second day.

Had they done it saturday when we got in, it wouldn't have been a complaint for me either.

The orientation and checkout dive are great. In fact, I wish people actually listened during the orientation since nearly every night diver the week I was there put the strobe on the buoy incorrectly.

And I wasn't indicating the orientation meeting was not needed, just that it would have been more beneficial on arrival day instead of the next morning. Our divemaster did not point out the correct buoy, or much of anything else, perhaps the value of the checkout dive is dependent on who is leading.

The strobe was placed on the wrong buoy while we were there too. Perhaps they should put a sign on the correct one, like the directional sign on Newman's wall. Of course, that wouldn't have helped the night it got turned off (accidently i'm sure) while we were still out. :11:

 

[leadweight]

Is Liz still there as manager?

 

[philmayer]

Where did you see the squid and the jawfish?

Specifically?

I'm there in 11 days!

 

[Doc]

Where did you see the squid and the jawfish?

Specifically?

I'm there in 11 days!

I wasn't there, but I can tell you where to look!

The Squid like stuff to "hang around" (structure).

As you go out on the shore dive through the Front Yard, always look ahead at the small marker buoys. As you pass the two chained buoys (in 10 and then 17fsw), look with care towards the surface and the surrounding shallow reef environ.

On the Prince Albert wreck, look just above the uppermost extending structures.

It's pretty much so a guarantee. Also, at the end of any moored boat dive, as you end up the dive in the shallows, get in 20fsw and scan inshore and towards the surface. Then be amazed at the Squid that the DM points out to you (and we just missed!).

Stuff to look for on the South Side: http://www.scubaboard.com/gallery/showgallery.php/cat/3139

Jawfish? They're the "other way" on the sea floor

Seriously though. Again, on the way out from the shore dive in the Front Yard, take your time, slow down, look around. Many folks consider this a race- bad idea.

There are Jawfish in the shallows all along the chain in very shallow water.

There is a fairly rare Yellow tailed jawfish (or something or the other)

at 75fsw in the sand at Newman's wall. You'll look right at them and maybe not see them.

 

[szohn]

We saw the squid right where doc mentioned, at the buoys right before the wreck. They were there everyday we were there. As for the jawfish, they are everywhere! Keep an eye out in the sandy channels. It is easiest to spot them if you basically lie just about on the sand and look sideways. On one dive I counted 26 from one location.

There is also a banded jawfish also along the chain to the wreck, about 20 yards from the dock where everyone puts on their fins. (on the right side when headed out). There are a couple of the yellowhead guys right before you get to the first buoy.

 

[parrotheaddiver]

Is Liz still there as manager?

Yes she is

 

[cfelliot]

Saw them almost every day to the left of the buoy at about 10-15ft. They would be strung out in a line of about 20 or so.

Also, keep an eye in the grass on the way up the path. Saw lots of stuff hiding there.