roatan- need help w/ dive locations/snorkeling

[kaktennis]

Hi, I'm new to this board, but not new to trip advisor- I'm hoping you guys can fill me in to where I should go diving/snorkeling. I'm getting my open water cert down there. but wondering when not diving my friend and I would like to snorkel. I want to go to the locations that would be the best of course... I want to make the most of my trip and hoping through connecting with all of you, you can help!

Also, when i'm doing my open water cert, what can my friend do? she's a certified diver -

Thanks for all that respond, I appreciate your time and energy!

 

[diversteve]

We often saw snorkelers off the east side of Half Moon Bay. A short swim out from the beach or I've heard you can enter at Half Moon Bay cabins also. We stayed just east of there on the point and it looked like it would be excellent snorkeling except there was a 3-5' drop off the ironshore into the water there. Getting out would be the hard part.

I don't know about access but the reef comes in really shallow by the church on the west end of Half Moon Bay - it looked pretty decent.

Anthony's Key also has a dedicated snorkel program. And there's the snorkel with the Dolphins.

There's also really good snorkeling off Cocoview if that's one of the places you're considering staying. http://www.cocoviewresort.com/snorkel.html

 

[Doc]

The only real snorkel on Roatan of a close swim and easy shore access (so far) is CoCoView or Fantasy Island. With rare flat seas, Reef House Resort is an option.

By comparison, all others are quite far from shore and their reef structures are of comparatively little interest.

Opinions will vary, but I've seen most all of the near shore on Roatan by towed aquaplane.

 

[Midge907]

When your getting your open water, your friend can be "diving". After you learn to dive my question is why would you want to snorkel except for on a off gassing day? Coco View advertises that they have lots of snorkling opportunities, and you can do all your dive training there also. When are you planning on going? The more information that you give, the better the answers will become.

 

[diversteve]

Or Luna Beach: Snorkel Map | Luna Beach Dive Resort

 

[kaktennis]

Thanks All for those that replied. Leaving the state dec 25. Will get on roatan on Dec 26th. One question someone posed was why snorkel when you can dive.. Good question! Not sure how I'll like it... I guess best response? little nervous - ears are a slight problem~ plus, it can get expensive to dive every single day.. Need some other things to do, such as snorkel etc. Afraid i'll get eaten up by the no-sums -So sitting on the beach probably going to be a problem, rather be in the water. Any one went to cayos cinchos. Hopefully i'm correct in my spelling. Wondering if it's a MUST do or it's only ok?? Heard the ride out there can be bummpy which my friend that's going with me has a neck problem. Rather sail if possible. Again, just checking on some spots that are a must do (snorkeling and diving) Not 100% sure i want to see a shipwreck. the movie titanic makes me sad for those that die or have continuous nightmares of their experiences while their ship was sinking.
Thanks for all the help!

 

[Doc]

@kaktennis... in that you're leaving very shortly, I would suggest you spend a whole lot of time on the internet researching exactly what you are walking into. Your above post I am sure is sincere and well intentioned, but you're walking into a geographical situation that is going to invalidate or cause surprise over a lot of your stated concerns as well as desires.

On another thread you announced your decision to stay at Sueno del Mar. I would get in touch with them now and hope for a timely response to your questions.

You mentioned that you are very familiar with Trip Advisor. That is a nice site for general travel advice, but using it for actual SCUBA experience is a fools errand. In that we have now gone from "getting my OW cert down there" to a slightly less dive-centric stay, perspectives change. You really can't consider doing a whole lot more during that week than getting your cert... you're going to be pretty busy for a number of days. Use Trip Advisor as a resource for everything and anything, except SCUBA.

I could speak to about 8+ points that you brought up above, but each one would involve a 300 word paragraph. (IE: Cayos Cochinos will remain a distant view on the horizon... if you happen to end up on the South Side)

In that you have so little time to plan, I would do what you can and then hang on for the ride. Spontaneous excitement has worked for me. Go with it.