Thoughts After First Trip To Roatan

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rleslie

Guest
Messages
141
Reaction score
1
Location
Big Horse Creek, NC
# of dives
50 - 99
Instead of a trip report, I will just give some random thoughts about our stay.

Getting there: We flew into San Pedro Sula, spent 6 days on the mainland and then took the ferry from La Ceiba to Roatan. The ferry ride was horrible!!!! The conditions were fine but 1/3 of the people aboard were sea sick which made for a very long unenjoyable ride. We fly back to San Pedro. Next time we go, we will fly straight into Roatan. It's a three hour bus trip from San Pedro to La Ceiba to catch the ferry.

Accomodations: We spent 5 nights at Sea Grape Plantation and 5 nights at Paradise Beach Club (West Bay). The Sea Grape cabins were clean, no bugs but showing there age. The staff was great. A good place to stay for $55 night. Paradise Beach Club was $110 per night complete with an ant colony in the room. The grounds and pool are emaculate, but in my opinion not worth the $$$$$$ (actually, I'm married, so my opinion really doesn't count. My wife was happy so I'm happy)

Dive Shop: I used Coconut Tree Divers. After the first day it was like diving with friends. No scuba-gods or egos floating around. When it came to safety, they were very professional, otherwise they are layed-back people that love to dive. I will definetly dive with them again! Met a couple that dove with Subway and TGI (@ Paradise Beach Club). They were extremely happy with both shops.

Nothing To Do On Roatan Other Than Dive: BULL...... It's true that you won't find any water slides or goofy golf (thank god), but if you love the outdoors you will need more than a week to flyfish the flats, sea kayak thru mangroves, hike in the park on the East end of the island, do a canopy tour or if you a true adrenaline junkie, rent a scooter and ride the length of the island....if that doesn't get your adrenaline pumping, nothing will.

Eats: West end is much cheaper than West Bay and the food is better. We loved Mavis & Dixies (new place next to the LightHouse Rest.), Argentinean Grill, Light House, and a Tia restaurant that doesn't have a sign out so I don't know the name. Actually, all of our meals in West End were great.

Laundry is readily available, cheap and took two days to get back, so no need to over pack.

Internet access is cheap with several internet cafes in West End. I was told by the staff at Paradise Beach Club that wireless is also available in West Bay, but I didn't use it, so I'm not certain.

Make certain that you have $40 each when you fly out of Honduras to pay the exit tax. We didn't and about missed our plane trying to find someone to cash a travelers check.

Overall, we had a blast and will be going back in the next few months.

We received tons of suggestions and advise on Scuba Board prior to our trip....THANKS!!!!!!
 
Roger,

Good report! It was great meeting you and your wife - we hope to cross paths again on a future trip.

One clarification - it is $33 and change per person for departure tax. It has gone up slightly since last year, but it is always something that is easy to forget and will bite you in the *** when you are ready to fly out.

Cheers!
 
undefined:
One clarification - it is $33 and change per person for departure tax.

Darn, they got me for $38.43.

We don't live that far apart. Maybe we can get together for a trip to the NC coast for some wreck diving. It's reported to be great!! I think you were there when Marc raved about Olympus Diving (http://www.olympusdiving.com/) in Morehead City, where he used to work. I'm free anytime you want to go!!!!

Roger
 
We can trade off. We'll do a trip to NC and dive the Atlantic wrecks and you can come down to FL to dive the Oriskany with us. :)

Oh, about the $38.43 - that is because you had a domestic flight as well, I believe.
 
I was just looking at the prices for various one day dive trips here in the USA. It made me realize what a fantastic deal Roatan is. I had a total of 16 dives including one night dive, navigation dive with an instructor to complete my AOW, Nitrox Cert. and Deep cert., plus the PADI fees associated with the three certifications, all for $533.

Which airline is it that flies directly from Atlanta to Roatan?
 
Roger - It blows my mind how much it costs to dive here in the states. The local quarry wants $10/tank + $20/day to dive in conditions that make my skin crawl. We spent about $1200, not including tip, for 16 dives + 3 certs + night dive.

Delta flies direct from Atlanta. Continental from Houston and Newark (I believe). TACA from Houston and Miami.

BTW - I put up my trip report (finally). Feel free to chime in on anything you might want to add.
 

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