Roatan Trip during Semana Santa (Easter week)

[Sirto]

Carolyn and I are considering a diving trip for the week before Easter and are between Roatan and Bonaire. The only reason not to choose Bonaire is that we will be there for two weeks in August : )

I would like to find out how crowded that week might be on Roatan, specifically in West End. Is it crowded in the restaurants, hotels and boats?

We generally try to do our trips in the off season since we like it quiet but since Carolyn's a teacher she has that week off so ...

What water/air temperature would we expect at that time of year?


On a slighly different topic, we'd like to find a dive shop that has:
1. Boats that have a rear platform with ladder - I don't care for the small boats that you backroll off of, not so much for the backroll but for getting back on. Several I've been on don't even use ladders to get back on the boat.

2. Have nitrox availability.

3. Would not do really deep dives - Coconut Tree's morning dives are listed as 80 - 130 ft. We'd prefer to limit ourselves to 80 feet or so. Are the dives on the North side mostly wall dives where we could pick our own depth?

We are currently considering Seagrape Plantation and Seabreeze Inn. Does anyone here have experience with these places? Any other recommendations for a 1 week stay? We are looking for a 1 BR unit with A/C, TV and private bath. If it has a beach that would be a plus.

Thanks

 

[bobby327]

Hello
I have lived here on Roatan going on three years and do the web site www.roatan.ws. We have some dive site articles on Roatan that focus on West End. Look at the home page and in the archives (link at bottom of most pages).
Lynne also does the the web site www.RoatanBeachFront.com which is the Sundancer Cabanas in Sandy Bay not to far from West End. We also have some lovely dive sites right off our pier.
Lynne is good at details on such things if you email (Hostess@InternetHostCafe.com) here I am sure she can help you on the details.
Bob Millsaps

 

[undefined]

Carolyn and I are considering a diving trip for the week before Easter and are between Roatan and Bonaire. The only reason not to choose Bonaire is that we will be there for two weeks in August : )

I would like to find out how crowded that week might be on Roatan, specifically in West End. Is it crowded in the restaurants, hotels and boats?

We generally try to do our trips in the off season since we like it quiet but since Carolyn's a teacher she has that week off so ...

What water/air temperature would we expect at that time of year?

80's for both. Figure about 82F for water temp on average in Roatan. It was 80 - 83F three weeks ago when we went. Air temps should be in the mid 80's.

On a slighly different topic, we'd like to find a dive shop that has:
1. Boats that have a rear platform with ladder - I don't care for the small boats that you backroll off of, not so much for the backroll but for getting back on. Several I've been on don't even use ladders to get back on the boat.

Coconut Tree has a large boat (soon to have a second large boat). No rolling off - giant stride in, ladder to get back on the boat.

2. Have nitrox availability.

Coconut Tree has nitrox, as do many of the shops in West End. Check that they get air samples routinely tested, and if you have any doubt as to the shops mixing capabilities bring your own analyzer.

3. Would not do really deep dives - Coconut Tree's morning dives are listed as 80 - 130 ft. We'd prefer to limit ourselves to 80 feet or so. Are the dives on the North side mostly wall dives where we could pick our own depth?

The morning dives are not all deep. Roatan is not a place for deep dives in general. The morning dives with Coconut Tree are advanced dives that may involve a deeper dive profile, swim-thrus, wreck or drift dives, or other aspects that may be more difficult for first time divers. If you talk with them about your preferences they will generally work with you on setting up dives to your liking.

We are currently considering Seagrape Plantation and Seabreeze Inn. Does anyone here have experience with these places? Any other recommendations for a 1 week stay? We are looking for a 1 BR unit with A/C, TV and private bath. If it has a beach that would be a plus.

Thanks

We stayed at Lands End on our trip in January. It has a nice (artificial) beach, A/C that actually works, TV and private bath. It also has nice pool and a small bar. Seagrape looks quite nice as well and is right next door, we had a buddy who stayed there and was happy with it. I don't know anything about Seabreeze Inn.