Roatan - May or November?

[diverrex]

I'm trying to plan my first Roatan trip for 2008. I can go in May or Nov. Which month is better considering viz, dive conditions, sea life, water temp, weather, bugs, crowds, and other things I'm not thinking about. I know the hurricane season extends to Nov 30, but I consider that a low probability that I'm willing to risk.

 

[NW_DiverDude]

Hello Diverrex

Having been to Roatan 3 times so far and returning again on December 1st this year, each visit at a different time of year, here is what I can offer:

November is during the rainy season so odds are you will enjoy better visibility in May. The best vis I have experienced during my visits thus far was in April but you can never be sure, especially if there has been recent heavy rain or strong winds.

Sea Life is really good all of the time but to increase the chances of seeing a Whale Shark, you would probably have better odds in May than November (other SB members feel free to correct me if I am wrong as I have still not experienced such an encounter yet).

Water temp does not change much from my experience, stays around 80 degrees F +/- a few degrees.

Bugs - no-see-ums in particular - are the local biting pest. A good rinse with fresh water after being in the ocean and an application of diluted Avon Skin-So-Soft worked well for me in the past. Try to avoid being out on the sand at dusk as this seems to be the peak biting time.

As far as crowds, depending on which resort you stay at, that is the only "crowd" you will experience - unless you visit the area near the cruise ship dock on a day that a ship is in port. Most resorts are fairly isolated so it is just you, the resort staff, and fellow divers. The West End area of Roatan does have quite a few small hotels and dive operators so it has a few more people but nothing I would consider a crowd.

Regardless of when you go you should really enjoy yourself. If you have not dove along the Belize Reef before, it will be a real treat. Make sure you get the divemaster to get you to at least one dive site where you are highly likely to see Spotted Eagle Rays - one of my all time favorites in Roatan.


Happy Diving!!!


NW_DiverDude

 

[Hawk]

The previous post was correct. Any time is a good time. Having said that, May is probably the single best month to visit as far as weather goes. It is far enough from the rainy season to be nice, but not late enough in the year to get really hot. It is the perfect time to get a good chance at spotting a whale shark. If I had to pick the best times to go there, I would say late March through the month of May.

To show that any time is good to go there, well I'll be getting there again this Saturday to dive at CoCoView for three weeks.

If all else fails in trying to decide.... May is sooner!

Later, Hawk.

 

[CODMAN]

I went october-november 2006 for a week. We got 1 rainy day all week, and it was on/off with sunny periods. I rained every night, but cleared up in the morning. There were great deals because it is low season (600$ a week all you can dive). I believe, that period can have very windy conditions on the north side. We were on the south side (FIBR) and didn,t miss a single dive.

I think either would be a good time to go. Cost would probably be lower in november, if a bit of rain isn,t a problem for you.

Have fun! We loved it there...

 

[Doc]

May, June is my favorite, April and August works, too. Good counsel above as well.

 

[Al Mialkovsky]

I have been to Anthonys Key 3 times now and have found spring to be fantastic. I'm not much for traveling to part of the world during hurricane season so for you I'd say May

 

[Sloop7499]

Hawk,

Looks like we're going to be at CCV during the same timeframe. I'll be there Dec 1-8. Envious of your three weeks. Would like to connect up for a few dives. I have a small group of two others along - both good divers. We are trying to organize a few dives on the north shore with a couple of extra folks. Particularily we want to do a couple of dives on the Odessey wreck.

You interested?
Sloop

 

[kubalek]

It is hotter than hell here in May. Even the locals don't want to be here in May. November is horrible--muddy, rainy, bugs galore. Of the two, I'd go with May, just be prepared for horrendous humidity. If you can change your dates, February and March are highly recommended.

 

[diverrex]

Thank for all the info everyone.

kubalek - my wife is a tax accountant, Jan - April 15 we can't go anywhere. Actually I usually take a trip to Florida by myself then to visit my mom and then conveniently slip down to the keys for a few days diving, but our real dive trips need to be in May, or we also wait till after the summer when most places are less busy, hence my interest in November.

 

[daniel f aleman]

November, if you're staying at a resort - cheaper, less people, better treatment by diving and hotel staff. May is brutally humid and hot in Roatan.

We've held one week technical courses every year in November without a hitch. Perfect.