Roatan Trip Report (West End + Coconut Tree)

[undefined]

Got it... both you guys!

If only more divers had the sense that you two are talking about, we wouldn't have dive ops that would be checking people out so carefuly, demanding certifications and more.

If only PADI and the other certifying organizations would realize that 5 dives does not make you advanced, life would be better for all of us. That is obviously a subject for another thread, but it scares me that any of us can be "advanced" divers with only a few dozen dives under our belt. I guess the dive shops / PADI would lose too much money if they switched to something like:

Intermediate Open Water = 5 specialty dives + 100 OW dives

Advanced Open Water = 10 specialty dives + 250 OW dives

Maybe I'm just full of it. Personally, I'd rather see standards shift towards enforcing higher requirements to ensure the safety of divers (and reduce the number of DAN insurance claims) than get us all certified fast and easy.

Or when you drop your gear on the dock and they ask, "Can you still get parts for that stuff?"

LOL! What is even funnier is the folks that show up with gear still with the tags on. Sure - 15 OW dives and a $2500 rig. I can't help but laugh when people have a $1K computer but still can't keep from touching things and running into each other.

 

[Doc]

I dive a lot of other places than my screen name, RoatanMan might lead some to think. But... I do dive Roatan a lot!

I have watched the Bahamazation of Roatan occur.

I have seen what you are talking about, appearing with greater frequency every day in Roatan. In the not so long ago past, only advanced divers would find the place. Now, it's well known for getting certified.

Unfortunately, when people decide "to go diving", that doesn't define the quantity of diving they demand (1 a day or 5 a day?), nor does it address their skills level- do they need dive boats with everything short of an escalator... or are they skilled enough to deal with smaller "less comodious" boats?

There is nothing right or wrong with either, we all just have to get the parameters.

There are so many variables. Understanding one's skills, stating one's expectations (even understanding the possibilities)... that's a tall order when they ask, "Gee, what's the best place for me and my girlfriend to do some diving?"

You can argue the "no touching" thing till the cows come home. I found the best method for teaching everyone to avoid touching is to eliminate gloves. Works every time. Exceptions? There is the littany of people with sensitive skin, cold hands, hand photo models and those with gloves & matching colored fins... oh yes- and those "who never touch anything anyway" who will wear them nevertheless.

 

[undefined]

With regards to the no gloves - that is one thing I truly like about Coconut Tree. If they see gloves, you don't get in the water. If you pull out gloves on a dive, it's your last dive with them. Period. Gloves = No diving.

When my wife had some troubles on her first few deep dives (barnacles were cutting her hands up on the rope) she asked for a glove. The DM ended up getting permission from the shop to lend her a single glove (which was at the shop, not on the boat). She was permitted to use the single glove during her descent, touching only the mooring line. Once we had completed our descent the DM retrieved the glove and stowed it in his BC pocket for the duration of the dive.

We travel to places like Roatan to enjoy the natural beauty. It breaks my heart to see people actively do things (such as touching) that destroys the very beauty they came to enjoy.

 

[Doc]

Yes, grabbing moored buoy lines can be startling... and ill advised. Lot's of stinging marine growth!

If there is suffiucient current present to require this procedure (differentiating it from a buoyancy and control issue), certainly a glove can come out of the BC Pocket.

A simpler system is just looping a small piece of line over the mooring rope, hang on to your line. That way- you don't have to ask nor carry a glove.

 

[undefined]

Good idea - I'll remember that for the future.

Fortunately, the past 15 - 20 dives my wife has descended unassisted with no problems. It's just a matter of learning to control your descent and to take the time to equalize while doing so. I think the very hassle of using a glove cured her from wanting to us a line afterwards - she's very careful, but can descend freely at will. As everything else, it's a skill that requires practice - and we're happy to keep going and keep practicing!

 

[Shar34]

Thanks for the quick reply "Undefined." I will definitely remember the warning about washing off the DEET. I am one that gets eaten alive, too, but I usually only use bug-juice in the evening as I plan to be underwater most of the day!

We paid Luna for a inclusive dive package - I analyzed the heck out of it and coudn't make up my mind - so I decided even if we spent a couple hundred $ more, it would be all done and set to go, less farting around more diving and relaxing, ya know? I'm sure its way less than $35/dive assuming we average 2 dives per day - they offer 3, plus at least one night dive.

Thanks again - I'll post a report when we get back!

 

[undefined]

Shar,

Don't fret over picking Luna Beach - it's a very nice resort. Enjoy the diving! Come down to West End and grab a bite to eat at some of the places down there (Argentinian is still quite good, and reasonable). Enjoy a drink at Sundowners while you are visiting West End.

I'd also suggest that you stop by Coconut Tree. Meet the people there. We did on our last trip (and dove with them) and were so impressed we planned this past trip around Coconut Tree! Last time we liked them enough we got up 20 minutes early every day to catch the water taxi to get over there instead of diving with a West Bay operation.

Also, there is a duty free shop in West End that has a decent selection of alcohol, tobacco, and perfume. Should you need/want any of these things, it is relatively cheap by US standards.

 

[Bay Island Diver]

Thanks for the great report. I'll be going down to Roatan in two weeks. YAY! Can't WAIT! We are staying at Luna Beach Resort. I'd be interested to know if you have any opinion on that, but please don't tell me anything really bad as it's too late to change now and I don't want to be stressed about it...!

The most relevant feedback I have on this operation is that they are currently the ONLY dive operation in the Marine Park Area who refuse to co-operate and enforce the $10/ year marine park fee. Altghough they are quite happy to make use of the infrastructure the marine park puts in place!

So if you don't care about the environment and like to support others who show scant concern for the resources they are using then these are the guys to go with. Have a laugh at their sign as well - I like to play the game of how many fish can you spot on the sign that actually inhabit Roatans waters!

On the up side it doesn't mean you will have a bad holiday I just want other people to consider this when selecting their destination. Supporting environmentally concerned businesses and freezing out people who are to greedy to protect the environmen is the easiest way we can all do our bit! Maybe you could ask them about why they don't join EVERY OTHER dive shop in supporting the marine park and then drop in at the marine park office in west end to get a balanced view on Luna Beach. You could even buy your $10 tag there at the same time!

Sorry to rant!

 

[undefined]

Will,

Is Sea Grape participating in the Marine Park now? We're looking for a place to crash for a week in May (you know who we'll be diving with) but I remember at one point they weren't participating...

 

[safetyfirst]

Sea Grape have been partcipating recently, slowly we are managing to get some solidarity!

By the way - Thanks for the support Will!

The Marine Park Office also sells Environmentally friendly sun screen and bug repellant.