Things we learned during our dive month in Roatan

[Cornbread O'Malley]

I certified a few years back in Antigua (online course and then we were visiting a friend, so I took the pool/open water sections there) - we were on the west side of the island for those dives, and they were beautiful and full of life. Eagle rays, etc. were everywhere. Haven't been there for about 10 years or so, though, but hoping to go back. We used a little beach shop called "Jolly Divers" and they were great.

Puerto Rico is our home during the winter, and the SW area (Parguera/Lajas), Vieques and Culebra Islands to the east, and Desecheo Island are all really fun and beautiful dives.

We dove the Exumas with the Aggressor out of Nassau and OH was it sweet. Huge coral heads, ample life, and more dive locations than we'd ever be able to do in a lifetime. Ended with a trip to one of the blue holes there and it was really amazing.

For the future, we are beginning to research the Virgin Islands (both US and British) to see about spending some under water time there, as we've heard good things.

All those places are interesting dive options. Thanks!

 

[Cornbread O'Malley]

I'm not sure about water taxis from Cocoview. But where would you want to go from there? If the goal is to go to West End or West Bay, I would think the better option is a taxi. That would be a very long boat ride.

Mainly just to get back to the main island and check out restaurant options in the Mount Pleasant and French Harbor areas.

 

[therookie]

at some point we've gotta end up in the same dive group!

Some day, @JossRincon, some day - either on your island or mine...

Actually that's a bit of cultural appropriation on my part. Roatan isn't really "my" island - I only wish I lived there... I think we may have been close in January - both mornings I went out diving I remember we crossed paths with one of the West Bay Divers boats (their paint jobs are very distinctive), and you were probably on at least one of them those mornings...

I don't understand what makes people go back year after year to a place like Cocoview, or even Roatan for that matter.

I laughed when I read this @Sure Squintsalot - I say the same thing about divers that go back to those cold, murky, green quarries and inland lakes weekend after weekend!

Seriously though, I know my situation isn't typical since we live on the Honduran mainland. Roatan is not-quite-local-but-close, so returning there is easier than going anywhere else. But the truth probably is that some of us, and especially newer divers like me, are easy to please. Is Roatan diving as magical as the South Pacific? Not judging from what I see on YouTube. Is it as good as what I think I remember it was like when we went for the first time 30 years ago? Nope. Do I love it anyway? Absolutely, and so do my dive buddies that come to visit annually to dive there.

restaurant options in the Mount Pleasant and French Harbor areas

If you do this, try a place called Ikigai. Very interesting menu - not pure island cuisine but an interesting mix of dishes. In January we had a fresh (I think same-day catch) red snapper filet in a caper sauce that was absolutely delicious.

 

[Cornbread O'Malley]

If you do this, try a place called Ikigai. Very interesting menu - not pure island cuisine but an interesting mix of dishes. In January we had a fresh (I think same-day catch) red snapper filet in a caper sauce that was absolutely delicious.

Thanks! I love restaurant recommendations! Trying different, exotic, and delicious food is a big part of why I travel and scuba! My friends and I went to Gio's Restaurant in the Flowers Bay area when we visited Roatan. I don't know if the menu is totally local cuisine, but I ordered the super-duper seafood platter. I came away that evening stuffed and happy!!

 

[JossRincon]

i kept good memories from Utila.. Miss it so much Freezing my butt in the northern hemisphere l.

Yeah, we do feel blessed in that my work is mobile, for the most part, up until Summer - and husband is retired. So we basically flee at the sight of snow each December (ish) and come back when our neighbors report seeing crocuses. But even in summer up in New England, I find the water way too cold to dive!

 

[34109411]

Yeah, we do feel blessed in that my work is mobile, for the most part, up until Summer - and husband is retired. So we basically flee at the sight of snow each December (ish) and come back when our neighbors report seeing crocuses. But even in summer up in New England, I find the water way too cold to dive!

lucky you are !

 

[nldunn]

I've heard a LOT of good things about CoCo View - we should check them out. But I must admit I'm hooked on the reasonable prices of West Bay, the very good diver to instructor ratio, and the flexibility that have with sites. And man - full service.

Hi! Is West Bay a resort, dive shop or just the area? I looked up West Bay Resort and nothing is coming up.
Thank you!

 

[therookie]

I think the OP was referring to the dive op they spent the month with - West Bay Divers. They have a couple of locations in - you guessed it - West Bay which is the name of the neighborhood that has grown up around West Bay Beach in the past 25 years or so. There is indeed no "West Bay Resort"

 

[nldunn]

I think the OP was referring to the dive op they spent the month with - West Bay Divers. They have a couple of locations in - you guessed it - West Bay which is the name of the neighborhood that has grown up around West Bay Beach in the past 25 years or so. There is indeed no "West Bay Resort"

Thank you! Appreciate the clarification!