mnscuber
Registered
First of all, thanks to the regulars and contributors in this sub-forum for sharing all your previous advice. I've read a fair amount here to try to educate myself.
I have the green light to do a quick scuba trip early April 2011, and I've come to the inevitable and obvious conclusion that Roatan is the destination of choice! However, I'll probably only have 4 nights to stay.
In addition, my brother is thinking of joining me and would be getting OW certified (perhaps classroom/pool here in MN, we'll see). I suppose having a buddy along opens up the possibility of shore diving together. Additionally, he's interested in a slightly extended stay, so that complicates the lodging equation.
I don't have a strong opinion on east vs. west - reading posts here, it sounds like both offer respectable diving and have reputable operations. I'm mostly interested in convenience, both in getting there and in day-to-day operations since my time is so limited. I'd prefer to have meals available at or near the dive operator/resort. I understand that, unless we go with an AI dive resort, three dives a day is the norm.
In the first couple weeks of April, what side of the island would be more desirable to dive? The reason I ask is that a friend said he stayed at FIBR (I think around February) and he said divers would come around the island from the north just to avoid the rough seas there. However, searching SB, I found a post (by roatanman?) that said Sept-March were the months that saw more stormy weather on the north side. I guess the short question is: would we be alright diving the north side in early April?
What dive operator/lodging do you think would work well for our needs? Luxury is not a requirement for us. Also, my brother is vegetarian... does someone know of a particularly vegetarian friendly resort or restaurant?
I've assembled a somewhat shortened list of places that appear to be well regarded and offer what we're looking for:
south/east side resorts:
*Coco View - seems a little on the spendy side, but sounds like its worth it
*Barefoot Cay
*Fantasy Island - their website seems to be on the outs (at least with my computer... gets hijacked, I guess??)
*Reef House - seems like it would be a long trip from the airport
West End diver operators:
*Coconut Tree Divers (and Cabins)
*West End Divers
*Reef Gliders
*Anemoma Divers (with Foster's)
West End lodging:
*Posada Arco Iris Hotel
West Bay:
*Luna Beach
I know that's a lot to be asking, so thanks a lot for reading and thanks in advance for responding!
I have the green light to do a quick scuba trip early April 2011, and I've come to the inevitable and obvious conclusion that Roatan is the destination of choice! However, I'll probably only have 4 nights to stay.
In addition, my brother is thinking of joining me and would be getting OW certified (perhaps classroom/pool here in MN, we'll see). I suppose having a buddy along opens up the possibility of shore diving together. Additionally, he's interested in a slightly extended stay, so that complicates the lodging equation.
I don't have a strong opinion on east vs. west - reading posts here, it sounds like both offer respectable diving and have reputable operations. I'm mostly interested in convenience, both in getting there and in day-to-day operations since my time is so limited. I'd prefer to have meals available at or near the dive operator/resort. I understand that, unless we go with an AI dive resort, three dives a day is the norm.
In the first couple weeks of April, what side of the island would be more desirable to dive? The reason I ask is that a friend said he stayed at FIBR (I think around February) and he said divers would come around the island from the north just to avoid the rough seas there. However, searching SB, I found a post (by roatanman?) that said Sept-March were the months that saw more stormy weather on the north side. I guess the short question is: would we be alright diving the north side in early April?
What dive operator/lodging do you think would work well for our needs? Luxury is not a requirement for us. Also, my brother is vegetarian... does someone know of a particularly vegetarian friendly resort or restaurant?
I've assembled a somewhat shortened list of places that appear to be well regarded and offer what we're looking for:
south/east side resorts:
*Coco View - seems a little on the spendy side, but sounds like its worth it
*Barefoot Cay
*Fantasy Island - their website seems to be on the outs (at least with my computer... gets hijacked, I guess??)
*Reef House - seems like it would be a long trip from the airport
West End diver operators:
*Coconut Tree Divers (and Cabins)
*West End Divers
*Reef Gliders
*Anemoma Divers (with Foster's)
West End lodging:
*Posada Arco Iris Hotel
West Bay:
*Luna Beach
I know that's a lot to be asking, so thanks a lot for reading and thanks in advance for responding!