Roatan in May

[beckerman]

Heading to Roatan and possibly Utila for two weeks. Plane tickets are booked, but that's as far as I've gotten. I have read through all the posts and was hoping for some guidance.
Read great things about the North and South sides of the island and also heard the West End is the place to be. If seeking life and to dive the barrier reef with the option of shore diving what is preferred.
From the posts, read great things about Coco's and AKR, any other recommendations.
Lastly, the trip is booked for the middle of May, is there a seasonal difference on the life, a preferred area of the island to be to see Whale Sharks?
I apologize for all the questions and thank you in advance for the assistance!

 

[Doc]

Many questions, most have been knocked about quite a bit here previously.

North/West vs. South side? In May, the weather differences will be very slight. Not an issue.

The general type and character of diving is dramatically different. In short: NORTH/WEST offers larger critters and better viz with deeper dive profiles, deep wrecks and many many dive-op choices. SOUTH features vertical Sunlit walls, shallower dive profiles, accessible placed wrecks, micro critters, lush hard/soft coral with very few dive op choices (all AI).

Shore diving? The best access on Roatan is from CCV, a close second is FIBR altho it is "the same dive". The shore dive from AKR is comparatively marginal and restricted due to access hours. The only other extant Roatan shore dive is from Reef House Resort which is quite a ways East.

West End is the place to be if you want after hours diversions such as bars and restaurants. You will find there a generally younger crowd than the above 4 mentioned AI resorts.

Whale Sharks? The preferred area is about 15 miles SW on the way to Utila. AKR and CCV run special trips (that you pay extra for) that go on Whale Shark expeditions. May is a likely month, but don't ever hang all your hopes on "Mr. Big".

 

[diversteve]

Lastly, the trip is booked for the middle of May, is there a seasonal difference on the life, a preferred area of the island to be to see Whale Sharks?

I'd go to Utila - with these folks or similar - Deep Blue Utila - swim with whale sharks at our all inclusive resort. Utila, Bay Islands, Honduras Although you're near the end of the season, there's probably still a pretty good chance. Last year I believe the season ended in late May. We saw six over two days off Utila during one of their prime research weeks - the last week of March. Two years ago in Roatan late May we didn't hear of any Whale Shark recent sightings near Roatan so had actually planned a day trip over to Utila with BIBR - they're closed now A couple of the Roatan diveshops also run day trips to Utila to look for them.

 

[Jack Scuba]

I am staying at Utopian Dive Village in May as well - Utopia Dive Village :: All Inclusive Resort, Scuba Diving, Fishing and Spa on Utila, Bay Islands Honduras. They're on Utila.

 

[georoc01]

I'm headed down for two weeks in the West End as I am taking a class with Coconut Tree. Lots of options down there depending on how much you are looking to spend.

 

[beckerman]

I sincerely appreciate all the feedback! This is obviously a complete matter of opinion, but is it better to stay at an AI or rent a house and go with a separate dive shop. Haven't done an AI before, but like the idea of having the dive shop at the same place you are staying. However, we typically like to prepare breakfast/lunch ourselves and go out in the town for dinner and hesitate to pay for meals that we won't be taking part in. That being said I'd like to get 2 or 3 dives in per day, Leaning towards Native and Sons (read good posts) and rent something from VRBO. Heading in the right direction? Any feedback?

 

[Doc]

That being said I'd like to get 2 or 3 dives in per day

Pure mathematics? If you want two a day, an ala-carte day-dive op makes more sense financially. Anything more than that, go AI.

At three (or more) per day, time starts closing in on your day-to-day activities. If you really intend to get three a day, it's going to make grocery shopping or restaurant waiting problematic.